Software developer eSim Games, LLC announced today that the first (free) update for the Personal Edition of Steel Beasts Professional is now available for download. This patch fixes many bugs and adds tons of changes.
If you’ve ever been in a simcenter this will look vaguely familiar. The ultimate ATV.
The first thing that struck me about the game (calling it a game doesn’t do it justice) is the copy protection. Using a USB based system, this was enough for me to break out the manual and follow the install directions (something I never, ever do).
To play the game you will need a free USB port, as the key has to be plugged in for the game to run. If you run into problems, the Steel Beasts Forums are the best place to turn. And that in itself is one thing that makes this game different from the others. For the last six years the original Steel Beasts has had an active community, and with this release it is shaping up to be even better.
Already there are custom scenarios, vehicle skins, and guides posted on the net. An amazing mixture of civilians and military personnel from all over the globe, the Steel Beasts community is a bit more mature so there’s no need to fear being flamed when asking what key switches your ammo in the forums. Continuing the fine tradition of the original Steel Beasts which won Sim of The Year back in 2000, this game combines not only a tank simulator but a tactical simulator too.
Quite often I found myself back at the map screen adapting my strategy to my enemy’s tactics. Through the use of NATO standardized tactical symbols players can plan and execute complicated combined arms operations. Looking for a tactical RTS? You can run an entire battle from the map if you so desire, essentially giving you two games in one.
SBPE is going to appeal to a small group. First off its hefty price tag ($125.00 as of this posting) is going to put a large majority of average gamers off. This is a hardcore military-grade simulator. SBPE clearly inherits its playability from its big brother, and like a lot of other military grade tank simulators –being extremely user friendly isn’t its strong suit. Luckily it’s still point and click, so you won’t be too put off. Documentation is one thin spot in this title, although the manual is generally written well and gives some great theory and history. Luckily this isn’t a game breaker, since there are great tutorials provided in Acrobat format when the game installs (a whopping 24 Megs worth of tutorials, datasheets, and guides).
The only thing I would have added to the documentation is graphical representations of how to apply different lead to moving targets. What the documentation lacks, the playable tutorials more than make up for.
If for nothing else the in game tutorials are functional and fun to play, and will get you well acquainted with the keys used in the game. Business end of the Leopard 2A5. Showcasing the Abrams, different variants of the Leopard, and the Bradley, SBPE more than delivers what it promises. Graphics are eye candy in general, but urban areas are mundane and one-dimensional threats, sparsely populated with buildings that are blocky and repeated often. Trees and foliage are modeled as well as any hardcore sim I’ve played, and trying to negotiate through a treeline to a support by fire position proved just as challenging as in real life. Views from the crew positions and the sights and effects are almost perfect. PE has the best modeling of thermal sights I’ve seen in a sim to date.
Turrets pop off of T-72’s with a grim reality; HE rounds create awesome splashes, and TOW missiles white out the sights with an amazing sense of reality. With an average gaming rig you can crank SBPE’s graphics up to max and have no problems (at one point I forgot to turn off my anti-virus software, spyware blockers, and other junk and the game never missed a beat). Are you sure this is a city of 10,000 people? A burning tank as seen through the thermal sights of an M1. Engagement techniques are procedurally correct, and the ballistics seem spot on, but I’ve always been leery of how high explosive rounds are modeled in any simulator. They just don’t seem to arc that high in real life. The after action review (AAR) capability also shines, allowing 'blow by blow' reviews of battles, and it provides all of the critical information we so desire.
The game even gives you a great graphic representation of the hits you score on your targets by use of colored rods. Additionally the game generates a no-frills HTML file for you to post on the internet showing how well (or how awfully) you did. SBPE does an excellent job of replicating ammunition and effects, and there’s a bit of satisfying warmth to watching dismounts go flying from a Bradley’s HE rounds. Battlefield effects are where this game shines. I looked up in marvel at one point from the commander’s hatch and watched ICM rounds crack and pop up ahead. Depending on availability in the scenario you’re playing, on-call artillery can be just as devastating as in real life. Engineers place lane markers at breach sites.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. continued on next page Pages: 1. Armchair General is the INTERACTIVE history magazine where YOU COMMAND and decide the course of action!
Every issue brings you articles on military history, analysis of current military and political events, and stories of real heroes among us today. Our authors include leading historians and analysts who lend integrity and credibility to this fresh presentation of historical and contemporary events. PLUS each issue contains unique interactive articles based on actual historical events in which YOU are the commander who must choose the best course of action for victory!
Steel Beasts gives you the chance to command the US M1A1 and German Leopard 2A4 tanks without having to obsess about every gauge, dial and scope, nor does it force the strict policies and procedures of the military on you. Add to this the varied battlefields of Europe, Asia and the Middle East, a battalion level, and a tactical planner and you have a solid, fun and satisfying game. This straightforward simulation has no campaign mode or CGI movies of tanks rolling into battle, no voiceovers, and no one talks you through the instructional lessons.
What is offered are pure battlefield tactics from a first-person perspective. Most of your time is spent scanning the surroundings, moving units, and firing weapons.
Sounds easy, but it isn't. The AI is superb and offers a challenge for even the most seasoned simulation fan. The tanks, such as the Russian Cold War era T-80 and T-72, are accurate and usually kill in two or three hits. There are 46 missions that take place in Iraq, Korea, Germany and North America, and thanks to the AI and graphics, each gives you a distinct experience.
You are always put in the lead tank so you can get a better view of the battlefield. Combat ranges from tank-to-tank combat to regimental battles. The common denominator running through all missions is the emphasis on combined arms tactics. You have command and control over several platoons of tanks, Infantry Fighting Vehicles, artillery and squads of light infantry and must form them into a cohesive single fighting force. The AI is smart, enough so that units not only follow your battle plan orders, but also look for cover when under fire and actually engage new threats when they appear. Unfortunately, the less armored units will realistically suffer heavy losses. Even though micro-management of your tank army isn't required, there's still quite a lot of detail, but it won't overwhelm the beginner.
The interface is easy to use and precise, with every gunnery and command station providing several ways to view the battlefield. The best is the Thermal Imaging System (TIS), which shows heat sources in shades of green and offers a solid method for targeting and killing enemies due to the smoke and dust kicked up during battle. You can use any combination of mouse, joystick and keyboard, or all three, if you're dexterous. There are a dozen tutorials for each tank and eight all-purpose lessons covering nearly every aspect of tank management, ranging from the main gun to ordering units on the battlefield. Even though each tutorial covers only one concept, a verbal walk through would have enhanced this aspect. All the tutorials and preparation offered prior to going into battle still won't be enough - which is a good thing. The lack of continuity in the missions, which for some may pose a problem, actually gives you the sense of how random war can be from one day to the next.
Just before each mission, you receive a briefing of the objectives and garner some intelligence on what to expect. A useful map displays routes and initial unit placements. Units can be given specific way points and standing orders, including formations and speed to target, and react intelligently to the very good enemy AI by seeking cover and returning fire. The two most important positions in each playable tank are the tank commander (TC) and gunner. The gunner has the best view of the battlefield, making use of primary, auxiliary and unity sights, as well as thermal imaging, which allows him to differentiate a mottled green/brown camouflaged tank from the green brown world.
Arrow keys are used to move the turret after you sight an enemy. As TC, you control the tank itself, issuing orders to the gunner and driver, or hopping from tank to tank to assess the situation and acquire new targets. The TC viewpoint is through the gunner's primary sight, which allows you to evaluate the target and decide whether to fire or not. In this role, you can assume control of the main gun, take aim, and fire the gun yourself once the gunner shouts 'identified,' or let the gunner take control. A.50 caliber machine gun is available for use against light armor units.
As tank commander, you can't steer the tank, only issue orders while the driver maneuvers the vehicle. External views allow for easy panning and zooming, but the camera angles are restricted. When the battle is underway, dust impairs your vision and you need the TIS, but differentiating between allied and enemy tanks is difficult since they're all shades of green. Unfortunately, this leads to destruction of some of your own tanks by friendly fire, making it tougher to complete the mission due to attrition. Since you never receive alerts and troops don't actually report in, you never know which unit is taking a pounding, which can be potentially frustrating. Not until you hop into another tank will you discover it no longer functions or is on the verge of destruction.
However, due to the scripted missions, you'll eventually be able to run rings around the enemy after two or three tries. Because missions are challenging and deep, even on the easy level, you'll want to replay them, not just because your units were badly damaged on the first try. The enemy is nearly perfect at recognizing your units, but the scenarios are all winnable. While Steel Beasts doesn't cater to the casual simulation player, it's easy enough to get into that a novice can play without too much of a problem. But the hardcore fan will be rewarded after investing plenty of time exploring the depths of the simulation, which makes it a worthwhile endeavor. Outflanking the enemy and unleashing a devastating shelling barrage has rarely been this enjoyable. Graphics: The graphics help create a believable world in which tanks streak across the desert, sand gets kicked up, and enemy vehicles explode in pieces.
The varying terrain offers some nice details and obstacles like trees, barns and homes off in the distance. A few unintentionally funny graphics crop up like the fireworks display resulting from striking ground troops.
Sound: Noises made by the tanks and their turrets sound fairly realistic. Units sometimes report enemy sightings, and your cannon loader will tell you when another shell is set. Explosions and sounds of shells hitting their targets are well done. Enjoyment: Unlike many tank simulations, the game doesn't bog you down with a requirement to monitor gas and other gauges. Instead, you concentrate on tactics and planning, which allows for a better experience and more tank play. Replay Value: Three difficulty levels open up new challenges as the enemies get smarter.
Also, the two types of tanks feature unique driving and firing properties, giving the game a different feel depending on which tank you use. People who downloaded Steel Beasts have also downloaded:, ©2019 San Pedro Software Inc.
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