Steel Beasts

The software simulates combined arms combat, with a focus on modern armored vehicles from company to battalion level . The computer game combines elements of a strategy, action and war game with those of a simulation via complex controls and game mechanics . The tactical operations management includes planning, execution and reaction in combat up to the battalion level.

Game mechanics

Steel Beasts ( sti: l bi: sts , translated: steel beasts , abbreviated: SB) differs from similar simulations by a more realistic replica of tactical maneuvers and fire control systems (thermal imaging camera, laser rangefinder, weapon stabilization) and can be played in single and multiplayer mode. The player can take the position of the tank commander, gunner or driver from the first person perspective and control their stations via keyboard and mouse or via a joystick. In addition, an observer position can be taken from a third-person perspective .

Simulated weapon systems

The two main battle tanks from the original Steel Beasts version are the German Leopard 2 A4 and the US M1A1 Abrams . More armored NATO vehicles are armored personnel M2 Bradley and Marder and crew transport vehicles such as HMMWV and M113 . The Warsaw Pact vehicles include the T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks , BMP-1 / BMP-2 IFVs, BTR-80 wheeled armored vehicles and BRDM-1 reconnaissance tanks. The software also simulates multipurpose helicopters such as the CH-146 Griffon , the medium-duty CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter, and the Mil Mi-24 Hind and Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters .

Various types of artillery support can be requested in tactical simulation . Conventional smoke, explosive projectiles, cluster munitions (Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition, DPICM) and land mines (Family of Scatterable Mines, FASCAM) are available as active agents. The authentic driving noises were recorded by real armored vehicles.

The printed manual is around 80 pages long and extensive tutorials explain how the simulated tanks work.

editor

Steel Beasts has an editor for creating additional scenarios in which both random and situational behaviors of the computer-controlled units can be programmed. A map editor can be used to create new battlefields with variable terrain and topology. In autumn 2011 eSim Games announced that the AI engine from xaitment would be used for path finding as well as movement and behavior control .

Users

Custom versions of the military simulation are used by the armies of Australia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden and Spain for training purposes. The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point and the "Training Center of the American National Guard (MIMIC)" also use the simulation to train prospective tank crews.

Versions

The original software version of Steel Beasts , also known as Steel Beasts Legacy , had a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels ( VGA ) and is no longer being developed.
Steel Beasts Gold Edition from publisher THQ .
Steel Beasts Professional is the full version that is only sold to the military and is used by several land forces for training.
Steel Beasts Professional - Personal Edition (also known as: Steel Beasts Pro PE ) is a consumer version with a reduced scope of functions.

A game version Steel Beasts 2 for the mass market based on Pro PE is in planning, according to eSim Games. Development was suspended in favor of the professional version and military training assignments.

Reviews

“Fans of fast-paced combat will soon be disappointed and throw their steel helmet in the corner, because Steel Beasts offers pure realism and simulation. Accordingly, simply shooting at it rarely leads to successful results. […] Steel Beasts offers simulation in its purest form and is therefore only aimed at a small target group. However, this is then served quite well with a high level of playability and an abundance of game options. "

- Thorsten Wiesner : Golem

GameSpot's Bruce Geryk gave the game a rating of 8.8 out of 10 in 2000.

“Besides the mediocre graphics, Steel Beasts does have a few other drawbacks. Most notably, the game doesn't have any kind of dynamic campaign. While the individual missions do have a fair amount of replay value, thanks to the fact that enemy placement and behavior vary between playings, it's frustrating to have so much tactical control over the battlefield in the planning phase and not be able to extend this to some sort of ongoing battle. "

“In addition to the mediocre graphical representation, Steel Beasts has a few other shortcomings. In particular, the game lacks a dynamic campaign . While the individual missions have a high replay value , thanks to the varying formation and behavior of the enemy, it is frustrating not to have a continuation in an ongoing battle with so much tactical control over the battlefield in the planning phase. "

- Bruce Geryk : GameSpot

“If army approval, blue-chip ballistics, and an uncommonly civilized multiplayer scene are more important to you in a tank game than stunning views, bump-mapped beret badges, and bargain-basement pricing, then this is a sim you need to investigate . Despite the eye-watering price and the slightly musty visuals, dissatisfied customers are thin on the battleground. "

“If army clearance, first-class ballistics and an unusually civilized multiplayer scene are more important to you than breathtaking views, contoured beret badges and a bargain price in a tank game, then you should invest in this simulation. Apart from the tear-inducing price and the somewhat musty visuality, frustrated customers are rare on this battlefield. "

- Tim Stone : PC Gamer

Awards

SimHQ - Sim of the Year, 2000
GamePen - Best PC Simulation of 2000
IGNPC - Editor's Choice Award
Wargamer - Best of the Year Award
PC Gamer - Best Simulation of 2000
Computer Games Magazine - Best Simulation of 2000

Web links

Internet presence of the manufacturer (English)
Official wiki for the program

Individual evidence

↑ Rupert Mattgey: Realistic tank simulation. (No longer available online.) In: Chip . September 12, 2000, archived from the original on April 10, 2009 ; accessed on January 1, 2016 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c Bruce Geryk: Steel Beasts for PC Review. In: GameSpot . October 4, 2000, accessed August 12, 2019 .
↑ John “Spoons” Sponauer: Steel Beasts Professional - Personal Edition. In: SimHQ. February 28, 2005, accessed December 27, 2015 .
↑ Thorsten Wiesner: Tank simulation for soldiers. In: Golem . September 7, 2000, accessed August 12, 2019 .
↑ Tim Stone: The 20 best wargames of all time. In: PC Gamer . Retrieved May 5, 2005, August 12, 2019 (UK English).

[chip_2000-09-12-1] Rupert Mattgey: Realistic tank simulation. (No longer available online.) In: Chip . September 12, 2000, archived from the original on April 10, 2009 ; accessed on January 1, 2016 .

[gamespot_2000-10-04-2] Bruce Geryk: Steel Beasts for PC Review. In: GameSpot . October 4, 2000, accessed August 12, 2019 .

[simhq_2005-02-28-3] John “Spoons” Sponauer: Steel Beasts Professional - Personal Edition. In: SimHQ. February 28, 2005, accessed December 27, 2015 .

[golem_2000-09-07-4] Thorsten Wiesner: Tank simulation for soldiers. In: Golem . September 7, 2000, accessed August 12, 2019 .

[pcgamer_2005-05-05-5] Tim Stone: The 20 best wargames of all time. In: PC Gamer . Retrieved May 5, 2005, August 12, 2019 (UK English).