Typhoon of Steel (video game)

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Typhoon of Steel
Typhoon of Steel.jpg
Amiga cover art
Developer(s) Strategic Simulations
Publisher(s) Strategic Simulations
Designer(s) Gary Grigsby
Platform(s) Apple II, Amiga, Commodore 64, DOS
Release
  • Apple II, Commodore 64
  • NA: 1988
  • Amiga
  • NA: 1990
  • DOS
  • NA: 1991
Genre(s) Computer wargame

Typhoon of Steel is a 1988 computer wargame designed by Gary Grigsby and published by Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) for the Apple II, Commodore 64, Amiga, and IBM PC. A follow-up to Grigsby's 1987 game Panzer Strike , it simulates military conflict during World War II.

Contents

In 1989, Typhoon of Steel was followed by Overrun! , which features an updated version of its engine and mechanics. It simulated hypothetical conflicts in Europe and the Middle East during the Cold War.

Gameplay

Typhoon of Steel is a computer wargame that simulates military conflict during World War II, covering combat scenarios in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and European Theatre. Alongside its pre-made scenarios, it features an editor that allows players to create hypothetical battles. [1] Typhoon of Steel contains a "Banzai" rule to impact games that become imbalanced. [2]

Development

Typhoon of Steel was designed by Gary Grigsby and published by Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI). [3] A sequel to Grigsby's game Panzer Strike , [4] [1] it reuses that project's game engine and mechanics, [5] updated to focus on different sections of World War II. This design reuse followed a common trend for SSI titles at the time: the game systems of successful titles were often reused in subsequent products. [4] Like its predecessor, Typhoon of Steel debuted in 1988. [6]

Reception

M. Evan Brooks reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World , and stated that "for the dedicated gamer, Typhoon of Steel offers an engaging, albeit time-consuming, study of small unit actions during World War II in the South Pacific." [8]

In Computer Play, Russ Ceccola offered Typhoon of Steel a positive review and recommended it to "the serious war gamer". [4] Computer Gaming World nominated Typhoon of Steel for its "Wargame of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Battles of Napoleon . [9]

Reviewing the Amiga version, George Campbell of Strategy Plus dubbed Typhoon of Steel "an excellent game". [10] Zzap! 's reviewer considered the game flawed, but noted that it contained "a lot of worthwhile detail" and "plenty of ambition". [7]

Legacy

Typhoon of Steel was followed by Overrun! , which reused the game's mechanics and engine, updated to focus on modern warfare scenarios. [5]

In 1996, Computer Gaming World declared Typhoon of Steel the 143rd-best computer game ever released. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Katz, Arnie (February 1989). "Waging World War II: Military Simulations for Computers and Video Games". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment : 76–82.
  2. 1 2 Staff (November 1996). "150 Best (and 50 Worst) Games of All Time". Computer Gaming World . No. 148. pp. 63–65, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 84, 88, 90, 94, 98.
  3. ↑ Brooks, M. Evan (October 1993). "Brooks' Book Of Wargames: 1900-1950, R-Z". Computer Gaming World . No. 111. pp. 144–148.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Ceccola, Russ (January 1989). "Another WWII Winner from SSI". Computer Play: 18, 20.
  5. 1 2 Hogg, Robin (July 1989). "Overrun!". Zzap! (51): 61.
  6. ↑ Emrich, Alan (September 1995). "The Pioneering Spirit of a Wargame Guru". Computer Gaming World . No. 134. pp. 201, 202, 204.
  7. 1 2 Staff (April 1991). "Typhoon of Steel". Zzap! (72): 28.
  8. ↑ Brooks, M. Evan (December 1988). "Banzai Strike Line: Pacific Theater Combat in "Typhoon of Steel"". Computer Gaming World. Vol. 1, no. 54. pp. 32–34.
  9. ↑ Editorial Staff (October 1989). "Game of the Year Awards". Computer Gaming World . No. 64. pp. 8, 41, 42.
  10. ↑ Campbell, George (March 1991). "Strategy; Typhoon of Steel". Strategy Plus (6): 12, 13.
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