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Panzer Elite Guide

Discussion in 'Guides' started by booman, Dec 15, 2018.

  • by booman, Dec 15, 2018 at 12:35 PM
  • booman

    booman Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming Staff Member

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    panzerilite87.jpg

    Panzer Elite is a true "8-bit" tank simulation made in 1999. Control up to 5 tanks in true WWII campaigns on either Axis or Allied sides. Each tank has realistic physics, recoil and controls as you traverse all kids of terrain in Europe.

    panzerilite80.jpg

    Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Panzer Elite in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

    Note: This guide applies to the GOG version of Panzer Elite. Other versions may require additional steps.

    Tips & Specs:

    To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

    Mint 19 64-bit
    PlayOnLinux: 4.3.3
    Wine: 3.0.3

    Wine Installation

    Click Tools
    Select "Manage Wine Versions"
    wine01.png

    Look for the Wine Version: 3.0.3
    Select it
    Click the arrow pointing to the right
    wine02.png

    Click Next

    Downloading Wine
    wine04.png

    Extracting

    Downloading Gecko
    wine05.png

    Installed
    wine06.png

    Wine 3.0.3 is installed and you can close this window

    PlayOnLinux Setup

    Launch PlayOnLinux
    Click Install
    panzerelite01.png

    Click "Install a non-listed program"
    panzerelite02.png

    Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
    Click Next
    panzerelite03.png

    Name the virtual drive: panzerelite
    Click Next
    panzerelite04.png

    Check all three options:
    • Use another version of Wine
    • Configure Wine
    • Install some libraries
    Click Next
    panzerelite05.png

    Select Wine 3.0.3
    Click Next
    panzerelite06.png

    Select "32 bits windows installation"
    Click Next
    panzerelite07.png

    Wine Configuration

    Applications Tab
    Windows version: Windows 7
    panzerelite08.png

    Graphics Tab
    Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
    Click OK
    panzerelite09.png

    PlayOnLinux Packages (DLLs, Libraries, Components)

    Check the following:
    • POL_Install_corefonts
    • POL_Install_d3dx9
    • POL_Install_tahoma
    Click Next
    panzerelite10.png

    Note: All packages should automatically download and install

    Click Browse

    Select "setup_panzer_elite_2.0.0.3.exe"
    Click Open
    panzerelite12.png

    Click Next again...

    Click Options
    Check "I agree to EULA"
    Uncheck "Created desktop icons"
    Click "Install"
    panzerelite14.png

    Click Exit
    panzerelite15.png

    PlayOnLinux Shortcut

    Select "Panzer_Elite.exe"
    Click Next
    panzerelite16.png

    Name the shortcut: Panzer Elite
    Click Next
    panzerelite17.png

    Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
    Click Next
    panzerelite18.png

    Note: For graphics settings, make another shortcut to "3D_Control_Center.exe"

    PlayOnLinux Configure

    Back to PlayOnLinux
    Select "Panzer Elite"
    Click Configure
    panzerelite19.png

    General Tab
    Wine version: 3.0.3
    panzerelite20.png

    Display Tab
    Video Memory size: Enter the amount of memory your video card/chip uses
    panzerelite21.png

    Close Configure

    Launch Panzer Elite
    Click Run
    panzerelite22.png

    Note: Click debug to see errors and bugs

    Display Settings

    Select "Direct3D Support"
    Click Advanced
    Adjust:
    • Resolution
    • Software Cursor
    • Direct Draw Device
    • Direct3D Device
    • Filtered Textures
    • Fog
    • Depth Buffer
    • Texture Detail
    • View Distance
    Click OK
    panzerelite23.png

    Conclusion:
    I was able to crank all the settings to high even though it didn't make a lot of difference in 16-bit color. Panzer Elite is a true retro simulation and has a lot of controls for everything these tanks can accomplish. Any computer or netbook should run it just fine at native resolutions. I was able to play at 1920x1080 which is amazing for such an old game. The only problem I experienced was randomly starting a mission and it immediately ends with failure. For some reason it never loads and I think it is due to screen resolution. Feel free to try using Wine's Virtual Desktop or playing windowed.

    Gameplay Video:


    Screenshots:
    panzerelite91.jpg

    panzerelite92.jpg

    panzerilite81.jpg

    panzerilite83.jpg

    panzerilite86.jpg

    panzerilite89.jpg

    panzerilite90.jpg

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Discussion in 'Guides' started by booman, Dec 15, 2018.

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