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The New Tank Sim Benchmark

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 51 / 52
Date: May 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Steel Beasts is basically a mixture of realistic tank warfare simulation, with a very solid real-time strategy element. Its attention to detail and depth of game play will appeal to both "die hard" simulation fans and wargamers, alike. The graphics are not 3D accelerated, but are still 3D rendered in 640 x 480, software mode. Although not "fancy", the graphics are actually more than adequate for the recreation of intense battles. It plays very smoothly on a modest machine, and that adds to the incredible "kick in the pants" type realism when you're in the heat of battle. There are still realistic physics, special effects, and catastrophic explosions, so don't think you won't get frazzled when ATGMs start nailing your turret just because they aren't 3D accelerated. You still get all the accuracy, attention to detail, and immersion factor necessary for a harrowing experience. It's a full-feature assault; I think you'll find that Steel Beasts is as much fun in the Gunner's or TC's seat, as it is from the map screen. Read the reviews on the net, and download the demo to see for yourself! Steel Beasts sports a revolutionary (and finally, very useful) terrain engine, and one of the most realistic military style map interfaces to date. The incredible sense of immersion really can't be described; the sound is fantastic, and was recorded using the actual vehicles and weapons. Believe me, virtual combat in Steel Beasts has rattled the cage of more then a few actual military tankers who have had the chance to compare this sim to the "real McCoy". If you liked the more complicated flight sims like Falcon 4.0, Jane's F-15, or Longbow, or tank sims like M1 Tank Platoon I and II, Panzer Elite, or Panzer Commander, you'll probably want to try Steel Beasts. I also recommend it for anyone who also enjoys a detailed real time strategy wargame. The game includes an excellent series of tutorials to prepare you for action, and a training range to get your gunnery up to speed before you embark on your first mission. You are free to use a combination of mouse, keyboard, and even joystick if you prefer. The custom map and mission editors are among the best in the genre, and will provide tons of replay value, both in single and multiplayer modes. Although it shares some similarities to the M1 Tank Platoon series, this sim is full of many groundbreaking features, and could be considered the first tank sim "done right". Perhaps the most interesting feature is the fact that, for the first time, two humans can actually crew a single tank in multiplayer combat. That's what really did it for me; sharing that intensity of combat with another person in the same "virtual" turret! The game's online code sports rock-solid performance and stability, allowing many people to play via LAN or internet. Steel Beasts has won many online awards, and was Simulation of the Year for both PC Gamer and Computer Games Magazine. It even ran a close second to Commanche vs. Hokum in Computer Gaming World. It should also be noted that Westpoint Military Academy recently purchased 1040 copies of Steel Beasts to use in their Officer Cadet training program. Steel Beasts has been embraced by both fans and professionals from around the world, be they casual weekend virtual warriors, or actual current military service men and women - over two dozen reviews online, all positive, and most of them averaging 90% or higher! Steel Beasts is what every virtual tanker has been waiting for.

Steel Beasts is a "real" tank simulator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 22
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As the title shows Steel Beasts is based on real tank tactics. I thought some of the other tank simulators where good, until I picked this on up. Yeah so the graphics might not be good right now, but the realizm sure makes up for it. Take it from someone who used to be on an M1A1, during Desert Storm, this game rocks, brought back some memories.
You can even make up your own missions, use the missions that come with the game, and play them against real people over the internet.
So if you want to see what it is like to be inside an M1A1, during the heat of a battle, "minus the closed in feeling, lol" then this game is for you.

A perfect simulation

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 17 / 18
Date: February 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

As a Swiss tank commander, I was very happy to find a Leopard II simulation. And everything is just so realistic! Ok, the graphics are a bit old but all the details are respected, the sounds are so real and the AI is impressive. It's never been so close to reality so I recommend it to tank lovers only. Other people might not see the perfection of this "game".

Attention to Detail

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 18
Date: May 29, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This sim is one of the best simulations I've ever played. The attention to detail is astounding: little things often overlooked by the big-name developers such as seeing muzzle flashes in the distance and hearing the report of the weapons a second or two later. The sounds are superb and the simulated combat is very intense. If you're interested in realistic simulations such as Su27 Flanker, Falcon 4.0, or Janes F/A-18, then I would absolutely recommend Steel Beasts.

Hits the Mark

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Being an actual tanker for the US Army, 1st Cavalry, the release of Steel Beasts was an interesting challenge. The overall game was almost an exact replica of armor and armor tactics. I found the layouts and gameplay easy to comprehend and to operate. The new "multiplayer per tank" format was absolutely brilliant. A first for tank simulations. It enables players to get that feeling of teamwork, causing them to learn each others reactions. The only downside I could find in the game was the lack of track and suspention animation on the tanks themselves, and the lack of different weather options. Other than that, I give the game 2 thumbs up. And coming from a tanker, thats hard to get. :D

Steel Beasts - Most Realistic Tank Sim Available

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As an ex-tanker in the US Army I can give a highly qualified thumbs up to Steel Beasts as the most realistic simulation of contemporary tank warfare available (and West Point agrees - they recently purchased 2000 copies).

Both armor and ballistics are faithfully modeled. The game comes with a large selection of pre-built scenarios and many more are available online made by current and past active duty tankers as well as very creative game players.

The scenario editor is one of the most powerful available for any game of this type on the market.

Online play is unsurpassed. There aren't any script kiddies playing SB. The players are a mature group of adults and team play is the norm not the exception.

The graphics - though not 3D accelerated - are excellent.

The designers - Al Delaney and Ssnake are active participants on the Steel Beasts forums and personally respond to customer questions and problems.

If you have any interest in contemporary armored warfare then Steel Beasts is the game for you.

True to Life Representation Flawed By Scenarios

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is a masterpiece of modern armor simulation put together by actual tankers which simulates the real thing.

It is realistic and it is used a simulator in the Army. The tactics are real, the physics are real, the sounds are real and even the gun sights are real!

Ok, so the suspension stays stationary and your troops don't have faces on them (big deal!). The game simulates the condition of battle, not paltry details. It is not a role-playing game.

I take my hat off to the people that put this together.

But I do have some critiques...

The scenarios require you to kill EVERY SINGLE LIVING THING inside a given objective zone to be declared a winner, otherwise you might suffer a MAJOR DEFEAT. Give me a break guys! If you have masses of your vehicles inside the objective, you are a winner. If the area in front of you is littered with enemy wrecks and you are holding your position, you are a winner, okay?!!

Also, you are given a very short time to gain your objective. This comes from the Blitzkrieg, gung-ho, jet pilot mentality so prevalent both inside and outside of the military nowadays. You are expected to advance quickly upon the enemy and gain your objective or you are considered ineffective.

Everytime I met the scenario time requirements, I ended up losing half of my force, which I would not call a successful MAJOR VICTORY by any means. An M-1 costs $4 million and experienced veteran crews are priceless, so no, NOT a MAJOR VICTORY.

Real tank battles are not as exciting or as fast moving as some of the scenario writers would have us believe. They involve of a lot of movement by advancing carefully from cover to cover, then creeping out to engage the enemy.

If it is the flashy, move quick, blitz attack this simulation is drumming into the heads of those drilling on it, then get ready for some heavy casualties on the real battlefield!

Last but not least (as players might have noticed) the artillery is a major headache.

Tank formations get decimated by artillery in this game.

The sound of artillery falling on my company pretty much signals the end of the scenario because it knocks out your tanks' 'gadgets' (thermal sights, computers, laser rangefinders, stabilized sightes,) without which I might as well be attacking with a platoon of Shermans!

I dunno, but I would think all that sophisticated stuff would be protected by armor.

Granted, its supposed to be the new advanced artillery which is composed of bomblets, heat-seeking grenades and such, but still, if you think an armored division has enough supply tail to be dragging tons of this artillery ammunition around, you have a fantasy concept of war.

And the enemy artillery is as good as US artillery (I guess we lost the technical race after all!)

So what you have are tank formations just wallopping themselves into mush with artillery (APCs are immediately destroyed by it).

I can see the 'heads-up' the designers are giving by including this new tank-busting super artillery, but the truth of the matter is that it won't be as widely available as the game represents (we would run out of it).

The only way you can avoid artillery is to keep moving (which is sometimes not wise in the face of the enemy) or spread your tanks out so wide they can no longer be controlled as formations.

A valid point guys, but how about granting the player some super-spread out formations so he can counter the artillery barrages?

In summary, I must just say it is a stupendous simulation which is a bit flawed on the victory conditions and on its dependence on omnipotent artillery.

If you want to know what a tank battle is like, however, plug in your helmet and hang on!

This is the real stuff!

Not just good...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 9
Date: November 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

There are countries that use this "game" as a cheap simulator for their militaries, The Deutch and the USofA just to name two.
If that isn't a compelling reason to buy this game then I don't know what is.
;)

This game blows

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 35
Date: July 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

As I said, this is one of the worst games I've ever seen. All the reviews I read said it had fantastic graphics, but I thought they were on par with an old super nintendo game, and my computer has a fast processer and a great video card. Once I was in the game I was bored out of my mind. I was hoping for an action packed tank battle, but instead I got me cruising along a river looking at trees.

If you game games that have action, DON'T get this one. If you want a game that will help put grandma and the kids to sleep, this is for you.

Steel Beasts by Strategy First

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: June 19, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Pathetically boring and graphics more than dissapointing. Is not recommended in the slightest due to, lack of graphic detail, inability to be more than two types of AFVs, uncoordinated missions, unrealistic sequences and poor settings. Definatley deserves its one star rating.

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