Gents:
I've only "discovered" the Panzer Campaigns series (PzC) and purchased my first game (Sicily 43) a few months ago... but have really grown to like this game system!
Let me count the reasons why:
(1.)
Nostalgia - Reminds me of the past (pre-PC) days when I was pushing around cardboard counters on a paper map board.
(2.)
Scale - Operational (1 hex = 1 kilometer and 1 turn = 2 hours) with a nice blend of tactical decision-making required too. Unit sizes are divisions, regiments, and battalions.
(3.)
Unit Combinations - Ability to both combine and breakdown units into smaller formations.
(4.)
Morale and Fatigue Management - It is a "game" within itself and this management becomes critical in the longer campaign scenarios.
(5.)
Campaign Games - The longer (100 turn +) scenarios is when this game system "shines" for me! Now all aspects of running a grand campaign come into play; Operational, strategic, and tactical considerations, morale, fatigue, reinforcements, withdrawals, etc.)
(6.)
Combined Operations - Using all units within a combined operations (Armor, artillery, infantry, motorized, cavalry, recon, air and naval units, etc.) to achieve your battlefield objectives.
(7.)
Use of Mods - Ability to utilize (fairly easily) various 3rd party mods to enhance both the unit portraits and map board graphics breathe "new life" into the PzC series!
(8.)
Finally - it's fun! - I'm able to stare and plot moves on my pixel battlefields... and than to look up at the clock and suddenly realize 2 hours have passed! Good stuff!
Regards, Mike / "A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - George S. Patton /