When you start off with a game entitled Codename: Panzers - Phase I, you know that a sequel is inevitable. Codename: Panzers - Phase II delivers just that, with largely the same gameplay in new environments. The graphics are exactly the same as in Phase I, which is fine, considering that they still look very good. Players will select between three campaigns: The Italian Axis forces in North Africa, the Allied American forces in Italy and Sicily, and the Yugoslav Partisans (which can only be unlocked through playing the first two campaigns). Like in the first game, the player will follow and play in the exploits heroes within each campaign, read their diaries, and watch cut-scenes using in-game graphics. The cut-scenes are overlaid with a film grain to give it an old cinematic feel, reinforcing the feel of participating in an old war movie.

The premise of Phase II is exactly the same as in Phase I. Players are given a limited number of units and they must use them to accomplish a number of mission objectives. There is no building or resource gathering, other than re-supplying and repairing at outposts. The great thing about Panzers is that the levels aren't linear. Those who want to take the time and effort to scout out an area and plan an attack will do better than a devastating frontal assault. This is especially important because units will gain veterancy as they fight, and they can be carried over from mission to mission. It then becomes very important to maintain your troops, because handling scenarios well will earn more prestige points. These points can be used in between missions to purchase new units. It goes without saying that a few veteran units are more valuable than a bunch of new units, but take into account that a veteran tank team can be transferred into a newly purchased tank. Not only will the player gain the more powerful technology, but it will be driven by veterans who will be able to absorb and dish out a considerable amount of damage.

Panzers has always had a strong level of detail designed into the game, and this continues with Phase II. Tanks have areas where the armor is strong (the front) and areas where it is weak (sides and rear), so positioning fire becomes very important to success. Despite the improved A.I., it is almost impossible to lead the A.I. into an ambush. They tend to stay in their designated areas, waiting to spot on of your units before activating. When you retreat from an area, they don't pursue. This makes it very easy to regroup, but decreases the amount of strategy possible. Additionally, like in the first game, infantry are quite superfluous. With the exception of the Yugoslav campaign (which involves very narrow streets), all you need are mechanized units with a repair vehicle and supply vehicle to offer support in order to win. Infantry do very poor damage, even those that are equipped with anti-tank weapons. The fact that they cannot be run over by vehicles doesn't help, since one machine gun car will spell doom for anyone who isn't behind the wheel of a tank. Infantry can garrison buildings or duck for cover behind sandbags, but these things tend to be very difficult to find in the desert. Not to mention, it doesn't take much for a tank to flatten a small building. Flamethrower units are still valuable in that they can heat up a tank and force its occupants out. Then your units are free to steal the tank once it has cooled down. Most levels also have heavy cannons that must be manned by infantry, so it's not fair to say that they are totally useless, but it would be nice to see them work better than they do. In Yugoslavia, infantry is relied upon to go from building to building, creating a very different dynamic to the game, and revealing some pathfinding issues as your men try to navigate the streets.

Destructible environments in Panzers is superb. Unlike many RTS games, where buildings tend to be indestructible, this game takes its destruction seriously. Tanks can plow down trees and leave a path of devastation in their wake. This is especially apparent in the Yugoslav campaign, where there are lots of bombed out buildings that infantry need to move through. The levels look like there's a war going on. While the campaigns are very original compared to most other RTS titles (you don't see too many that focus on the Italians in Africa or the Yugoslav Partisans), it still falls into the trap that plagues games that take place in the desert, in that sand is pretty boring to look at. Panzers tries its best to dress things up with giant dust clouds covering the map to give it a more realistic feel, but let's face it, we're looking at more sand. It's all pretty much the same color, with small settlements and encampments spread far throughout the levels. Luckily, Phase II mixes things up even further with day and night offering day and night missions. Vehicles are equipped with headlights that can be switched on or off. While having the headlights offers some great visual effects, it is often preferable to leave them off and travel with severely limited sight in order to sneak up on the enemy, then switch them on again when the attack starts. Other than that, players will have to wait until they reach Italy or Yugoslavia before they start getting more interesting scenery.

There are a lot of small touches that makes Panzers: Phase II a great game. Icons, representing the sound of marching infantry or rolling vehicles, appear outside of your unit's line of sight, creating a whole new way to do recon. The off-screen powers such as calling down artillery fire can have a devastating effect, but must be used sparingly since players have a limited number of them. The units are very well animated and the sound design is spot-on, with grinding gears and loud engine noises when vehicles mobilize. Some of the voice acting might make players cringe a little, especially a few of the Italian accents, however it is still a fantastic feature have each unit respond to the player in native language. This was also impressive in Phase I, and shows the fact that the war was fought by many different countries, not by a bunch of people who may or may not speak English with an accent. Cut-scenes, of course, are still in English.

Mutiplayer and skirmish modes offers a different gaming experience than single player in that the players aren't weighed down by having to accomplish mission objectives. Still working with limited units, players will try to out-maneuver each other. There is support for up to six players and there are three modes of play: domination, team, and mission. There aren't that many maps to choose from, which is probably why the game ships with a map editor.

Codename: Panzers - Phase I was an impressive game with a lot of details that made it fun to play, despite the fact that it may have been overlooked by many. Phase II continues to deliver the same gameplay without changing too much. This sequel is not an overhaul of its predecessor, but is instead a real continuation. You could play the two back-to-back and almost feel as though you're playing one very long game. Amid a ton of WWII-themed games, Codename: Panzers - Phase II should be among the standouts.