Wargamers beware! Talonsoft has opened a portal in time where those who enter are sent back (in uniform) to the epic struggle known as World War II. In this time warp you could be any nationality that fielded fighting men in the Russia/Europe Theater. The Brits, French, Canadians, Poles, Finns, Greeks, Italians, and Romanians and all their equipment are included.

This panzer leader has campaign ribbons from Poland, France, The low Countries, The Balkans, Africa, Russia and France. I have commanded battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions and even corps. I have participated in some of the most brutal engagements of the war: Barbarossa, the Normandy Invasion, Kursk, Operation Market Garden, the Falaise Pocket and on and on. Now that you have been warned you must decide if you are ready to risk the rest of your days in nonstop combat. As for me "sell the car, sell the house, sell the kids, I'm never coming back." Below I have listed key elements that make The Front the ultimate WWII recreation.

COMPUTER TO COMPUTER: All forms of computer link are built into the game. Direct Modem is available for local area bouts. E-mail formula makes for a good game to be played at leisure. Talk about multiplayer! Two to sixteen players through the internet is possible. One thing to remember though, always keep games current with Talonsoft's website updates as lack of harmony may make hook up impossible.

TERRAIN AND GRAPHICS: Excellent! There are five levels of view to choose. In your face 3D zoom in which will even satisfy J. Burke's desire for realism. You will even see the cross and numbers on the panzers, which will be easy to recognize on. When a unit is not known a unit handbook can be easily accessed which a period photo of the unit, historical background, and the unit's capabilities in the game

The terrain is as good as it gets. The elevation is not very realistic, but is it ever? At 3D zoom in the view is patterned to satisfy the miniatures lover. All terrain affects from wood to stone, weather, visibility, rivers with bridges, or fords, even the tractor works are there. The 2D normal view is the board gamer's favorite. Standard icons (either striker or outline choice) represent the units. Elevation is represented by shades of green and brown. Overall, this view is better for entire battlefield view, however I'm sure most people will view both equally.

One other feature worth noting. With the proper screen setting, buttons are added which gives instant ranges of fire, movement, sighting and range of supply.

RULES/TACTICS: Rules and tactics are easy to learn for both board and miniatures gamers with the rules leaning towards the minatures. The computer controls all opportunity fire. The game does allow the player to set the ranges of opportunity fire. Generally the standard modifiers, terrain effects, elevation effects apply. The results are based on a ten-sided dice.

Obviously, the strongest advantage to this kind of play, is the computer handles all odds, results, morale and supply checks. Added features are the computer keeps track of all pertinent info of the scenario for easy access. There are many more features you will enjoy when you explore the game.

RANDOM SCENARIOS: The number of scenarios in the game is endless. This feature allows you to create your own scenario. Your choice of time will determine the equipment available. You may choose the type of engagement, the weather, the terrain, the nationality and organization level. Playing this method also brings out little used units like flammewerfers, neblewerfers and American made Russian tanks

CAMPAIGN: The panzer leader's favorite format. A campaign is an extended series of battles based on a historical situation (ex: The II Corps in Tunis). Excitement is added when reading biography type books relating to the campaign. You start to take losses of the "boys" personally. You enter the game as a green officer and gain experience and medals along with rank if you survive. Be careful about taking casualties in your command, for you must make good on the losses or you will find the platoons depleted and ineffective.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend that you give Talonsoft's East/West front a try. At this time I recommend the West Front, as Talonsoft will soon release the East Front Deluxe. Both games are a must for anyone who would call himself a panzer leader.