Codename: Panzers - Cold War | Game Brain

About

"Codename: Panzers - Cold War" is a real-time strategy game set in a divided post-World War II Europe. The game's storyline revolves around the fictional "Tempelhof Incident," which triggers a full-scale conflict between the Western powers and the Soviet Union. Players can command forces from both sides, participating in battles across land, air, and sea in an intense struggle for global supremacy. Experience the tension of the Cold War turned hot in this immersive and action-packed strategy game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 92 reviews

story4 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a fun RTS style with a rock-paper-scissors mechanism and engaging gameplay that keeps players absorbed.
Graphics and special effects are well done, providing a visually appealing experience for a game of its age.
The option to modify and upgrade tanks and vehicles adds depth to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.

The game suffers from frequent crashes and performance issues, making it frustrating and unplayable for many users.
AI pathfinding and unit control are problematic, often leading to clunky gameplay and poor tactical execution.
The storyline and voice acting are considered weak and amateurish, detracting from the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.

story
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
85%
6%
The story in "Codename Panzers: Cold War" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be poorly executed and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. While the game features 18 interconnected missions, the narrative is often described as cringe-worthy and simplistic, focusing on a clichéd theme of American freedom versus the USSR. Additionally, the absence of voice-overs and the generic presentation detract from the overall immersion, leaving players feeling that the story could have been significantly improved.
- “The game has 18 missions, and three of which you play as the Soviets, which is a disappointment compared to entire campaigns dedicated to each faction in the previous games.”
- “Set in an alternative timeline where things have been developed much earlier than our own, it still has a very good plot that brings about World War 3 and possibly nuclear armageddon.”
- “This is a pretty good game with a storyline fit for any freedom-loving person.”
- “The story in the first Panzers game was cringe and funny, the story in the second was lighthearted and alright, the story here is cringe and just plain bad.”
- “Then there's the story, which is so ridiculous that it becomes more painful to watch the longer you play.”
- “The ending of the plot doesn't make any sense, mostly because it's hastily wrapped up in a final cutscene that plays more like a quick-cut montage.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
21%
7%
Overall, the graphics are generally praised for their quality and detail, especially considering the game's age, with many noting impressive special effects and well-designed animations. However, some users mention performance issues at higher settings and a few aspects that feel unfinished. Despite these criticisms, the visuals contribute positively to the gameplay experience, making it a worthwhile title to explore.
- “The graphics and special effects look great.”
- “The game's graphics and effects are really good for its age, with well-programmed AI.”
- “The in-game graphics are incredibly detailed.”
- “Everything seems so unfinished, starting from the unit animations, effects, sounds, and visuals - I could sadly write a long list about this...”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
13%
38%
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players finding it barebones and lacking complexity, while others appreciate its fun and challenging nature, especially for fans of RTS and strategy games. The graphics are praised, and the fast-paced action between factions adds excitement, though some feel the learning curve may deter newcomers. Overall, it offers a solid experience but may not meet the high expectations of seasoned players.
- “Simple premise, not many complicated mechanics, nothing not to love.”
- “You should definitely give it a try; the graphics are awesome, and the gameplay is incredibly good.”
- “Awesome RTS with Dawn of War 2 style, very good graphics, and fast-paced gameplay. Two factions, Soviets and Allies, go to a third world war in 1949.”
- “The gameplay is very barebones and boring.”
- “However, learning the gameplay required more time than those who have not already played RTS and strategy games would probably enjoy.”
- “As for gameplay, I'm coming off of the COH franchise, so my expectations are rather high.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game suffers from notable optimization issues, particularly on modern systems, leading to light stuttering and occasional crashes during quick loads. Users recommend avoiding high graphics settings to mitigate performance problems, despite the visuals being commendable for its release period.
- “First, let's talk performance.”
- “I will say it has some performance issues, so try not to go too high on graphics settings (they do look quite nice considering when it was made).”
- “I will say, it has some performance issues, so try not to go too high on graphics settings (they do look quite nice considering when it was made).”
- “Ran the game on Windows 10 Pro 64-bit with light stuttering every now and then and a very rare crash during quick loads.”
- “It is very poorly optimized for modern systems with stuttering and next mission audio playing over the previous mission's victory screen.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's music has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the soundtrack while others criticize it as monotone and lacking variety. Additionally, the absence of in-mission dialogue audio and poor voice acting detracts from the overall audio experience, suggesting a budget constraint in production.
- “Thank god they came out with the soundtrack.”
- “Speaking of cheap, the game was obviously made on a shoestring budget, as there's no audio for in-mission dialogue (a step backwards for the series), little music, and what voice acting they do use is absurdly bad.”
- “The music is a bit monotone but fits in.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the Panzers series has received mixed reviews, with the first game being described as both cringe-worthy and funny, while the second was seen as lighthearted. However, the latest installment's humor is criticized as being simply bad, with units' constant shouting perceived as an attempt at humor that falls flat.
- “Meanwhile, your units are constantly shouting for help, acknowledging your commands, or just making noise—presumably because the developers thought that was funny.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent freezes and crashes that render it unplayable. Many express frustration over the lack of refunds and attribute some issues to compatibility with Windows 10. Overall, players advise avoiding the game due to its persistent stability problems.
- “Cannot write a review as the game freezes up once loaded. Complete waste of money. Steam is refusing to refund as the game has been owned for more than 2 months. Fair enough you may think, but there are many add-ons to this and it is those that will not play at all. Avoid this game. Mind you, having said that, Windows 10 has a lot to answer for.”
- “The game constantly freezes for minutes at a time between games.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply engaging, as it captivates their full attention and prompts significant, gut-level decisions through various choices in upgrades and equipment. This immersive experience has garnered a strong positive response from users.
- “The game completely absorbed my attention and evoked deep emotional responses, especially during the pivotal decision-making moments. I loved the multiple choices in upgrades and equipment.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters and the story left a lasting impact on me, making every choice feel significant.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions while playing.”