Steel Beasts

As far as tank simulations are concerned, you cannot deny that Steel Beasts is one of the most realistic tank simulations to date. You can choose both eastern and western tanks comprising a total of 2 different tanks to choose from. Steel Beasts features the M1A1 and the Leopard 2A4, the two workhorses in the U.S. and German armies.

Because of the detail to modeling, there is an overwhelming amount to learn. It is recommended that you play through the tutorials, which introduce new concepts in game controls in a step-by-step manner in the CORRECT order. The tutorials are very nice and if you complete them, it will definitely ease the strain of the learning curve. 

You can choose from instant action, where you are thrown right into the heat of the battle and your score is based on how many and how quickly you destroy enemy vehicles before you are blown to bits. Or try your hand at your gunnery skills at the tank range. Plenty of view and gunnery settings to toggle through, but strictly ground combat. You will not find any attacking aircraft, but that does not mean that the battles won't be intense. Gameplay in Steel Beasts is molded around the individual mission or scenario, which is divided into three distinct phases:

1. The planning phase in which a military style text briefing and interactive contour map are presented to you for planning the mission. 

2. The execution phase in which the simulation runs in real time and you can assume the role of gunner, tank commander or observer. 

3. The debriefing phase in which you can review the battle and view your score. 

The game boasts a mission editor so once you've mastered all the scenarios, you can create your own -- leaving you endless possibilities for game play. The game also boasts LAN and modem play. One of the nice things about multi-player is if you choose, you may board another tank as the gunner. WAY COOL! Shrapnel has diverted from using the popular 3-D acceleration that most of us are used to seeing. This may turn away gamers that are looking for eye candy; but if realism and simulation are what you are looking for, Steel Beasts is worth taking a look at. 

Installation: Easy

Gameplay: 8.  Nice interface and plenty of tutorials to get you up to speed.

Graphics: 6. Only 640x480 with no 3D acceleration.

Sound: 8.  Nicely done, but not exactly groundbreaking

Difficulty: 9. P lenty of difficulty levels to choose from, with the easiest still being a challenge to even experienced tank simulation players!

Concept: 8.  Another tank simulation but nicely rendered

Overall: 8.  No 3d acceleration, but the mission editor gives unlimited amounts of gameplay for both novices and experts alike.