Iron Warriors: T-72 Tank Command

Iron Warriors: T-72 Tank Command is a niche tank simulator focusing on realistic armored warfare set primarily in the Balkans during the breakup of Yugoslavia. The game offers a high degree of customization for realism settings, multiple playable tanks (T-34-85, T-55, and T-72), and a mission/map editor. Its gameplay emphasizes crew management, requiring players to command driver, gunner, and commander roles separately or in tandem, which adds complexity and challenge. The game supports co-op multiplayer with up to three players controlling a single tank, enhancing the tactical experience.

Despite its strengths, the game is dated with clunky and unintuitive controls, a confusing interface, and limited graphics that feel obsolete by modern standards. The AI is often criticized for poor crew behavior and erratic enemy accuracy. Technical issues include compatibility quirks on newer Windows versions, no widescreen support, and occasional bugs. However, the game is stable overall and offers a unique experience for tank simulation enthusiasts, especially at its low price point.

Highlights

Players praise the game's realistic tank simulation mechanics, including detailed crew roles and the need to manually calculate shots and manage tank systems. The inclusion of terrain deformation and destructible environments adds immersion. The mission and map editor allow for extended gameplay, and the co-op multiplayer feature is well regarded. The game runs smoothly on a wide range of PCs, including Windows 7 and 10, and its historical setting and authentic tank models receive positive mentions. Many appreciate the reasonable learning curve compared to more complex simulators and the game's overall stable performance despite its age.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's outdated graphics and clunky, unintuitive user interface. Controls are often described as confusing, with no mouse support for turret rotation and limited control remapping options. The AI crew members are frequently incompetent, requiring players to micromanage multiple roles. The mission design is considered repetitive and lacking depth. Technical issues include lack of widescreen support, cumbersome configuration changes requiring external files, and multiplayer problems. Several players report bugs such as stuck controls, crashes, and poor translation/localization. The overall presentation and polish fall short of modern standards, limiting appeal to hardcore simulation fans.