Play Panzer Tactics DS (U)(XenoPhobia) Online

Panzer Tactics DS came out for the Nintendo DS in 2007, developed by Sproing Interactive Media. It was part of that wave of deeper, more complex strategy games that found a home on the handheld, offering a substantial alternative to the platform's many puzzle and action titles. You take command of either German, Soviet, or Allied forces across a series of turn-based campaigns set in World War II.

You control a variety of period-specific armor, infantry, and artillery units, moving them across hex-based maps to capture key territories and eliminate enemy forces. The main objective is to outmaneuver your opponent, using terrain like forests and rivers for defensive cover while managing your units' limited fuel and ammunition. Two signature mechanics are the ability to combine attacks from multiple units on a single target and the use of command points to activate special abilities, like calling in air strikes or initiating repairs. The pacing is deliberate, and the difficulty can be steep, especially when the AI flanks your positions or exploits a weak spot in your line. It feels like a proper, thoughtful wargame shrunk down for your pocket.