With so many of our recent columns focused on what we’re excited to play in 2026, it felt like the right time to talk about a game that technically isn’t out yet but has already consumed a surprising amount of my time. Call to Arms: Panzer Elite is currently in Early Access on Steam, and while it is very much a work in progress, it is also shaping up to be one of the most visually convincing and mechanically satisfying World War II tank titles I have played in years.
It’s not a traditional real-time strategy game, nor is it a hardcore simulation. Instead, Panzer Elite lives somewhere in the middle, blending realism with accessibility in a way that feels more like an arcade simulation than anything else on the market right now. What that means is that Panzer Elite sits somewhere between a hardcore military simulation like Burden of Command and a more accessible real-time strategy experience like the Company of Heroes series. It’s very easy to get started, but it is difficult to master, demanding both tactical awareness and patience.
There are two main modes of play. Casual mode includes a full HUD and more traditional video game feedback, making it easier to track objectives and damage. Realistic mode strips most of that away, forcing you to rely on visual cues, sound and your own judgment to survive. It’s significantly more demanding but also far more immersive. Both modes work well and give players the freedom to decide how deep they want to lean into the simulation aspects.
Some of Panzer Elite’s biggest strengths are its physics and environmental interaction. All buildings are fully destructible, which is not just visually impressive but tactically meaningful. During one mission, I fired a high explosive round directly into a small barn so that I could shoot at and eliminate an enemy scout vehicle hiding behind it. Watching the structure collapse and expose the target felt incredibly satisfying and reinforced Panzer Elite’s commitment to battlefield realism.
Tank handling also feels appropriately heavy and deliberate. Vehicles take time to accelerate, are slow to turn and require planning to maneuver effectively. At the same time, tanks can smash through fences, walls and small structures, which helps sell their weight and power. Armor behavior feels authentic as well. Long-range shots often bounce harmlessly off enemy tanks unless you target weak points, hit the rear armor or simply get lucky. Damaging tracks or positioning yourself for a flanking shot often matters more than raw firepower.
Some systems are intentionally streamlined to keep gameplay moving. Repairing your tank can be done by holding a button rather than waiting a long time or heading to a depot which would be required in real life, while resupplying ammunition is handled by driving up to supply piles. These shortcuts may not be fully realistic, but they strike a good balance between authenticity and playability.
The audiovisual presentation is another highlight. Explosions look amazing, with fire and debris filling the battlefield. Destroyed tanks burn convincingly, providing both visual feedback and a sense of earned victory. The sound design is especially strong. When aiming down sights, the world around you becomes muffled, including the tank engine, creating the sensation of a gunner focusing entirely on the shot. It is a small touch, but one that adds a great deal to immersion.
Panzer Elite is still light on content right now, but the world is slowly expanding. At first, only German-focused missions were available, but more recently an American scenario was added featuring the St. Vith area and the crossing of the Our River. This allows players to command Sherman tanks, including the heavily armored Jumbo variant, light vehicles like the M3 Stuart and British M8 Greyhound armored cars. German vehicles include iconic machines such as the Panther, Tiger and StuH 42. In total, there are currently 20 playable armored vehicles, split evenly between factions, all modeled with historical accuracy.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Panzer Elite is how actively the developer is responding to feedback. When it first launched in early access, there were no checkpoints or save options. Losing a tank late in a mission meant starting over entirely, which was understandably frustrating. After significant community feedback, checkpoints were added, reducing the sting of sudden failure. A full save-anytime system is reportedly planned for the future, though it is not yet implemented.
That said, the game’s weakest area right now is its artificial intelligence. Friendly AI units struggle to follow commands effectively and often make poor tactical decisions. In my experience, the second tank in my platoon was consistently destroyed early due to bad positioning, exposing its rear armor or lingering in open terrain. The enemy AI is not much better. Opponents tend to cluster together and fail to react intelligently to flanking maneuvers. While they can still be dangerous through sheer numbers, their behavior often feels simplistic rather than cunning. They don’t seem to care if you are able to destroy five of them so long as the sixth one finally gets you with a lucky shot.
These AI issues make the single player mode somewhat uneven at the moment. Multiplayer may ultimately be where Panzer Elite shines brightest, especially with coordinated groups of players, but my time so far has been entirely in single-player engagements. The current state suggests strong potential, but there is also clear room for improvement.
Although the developers have suggested a full release roughly nine months after early access began in September 2025, that timeline feels optimistic given the current AI limitations and limited mission variety. Still, the foundation here is solid. For fans of World War II titles and especially for those fascinated by armored combat, Call to Arms: Panzer Elite already offers something distinct and promising.
It’s not finished yet and has a long road ahead. But Call to Arms: Panzer Elite has enormous potential, making it definitely one to watch.