Operation Europe: Path to Victory

Operation Europe: Path to Victory Europa Sensen
North American title screen
Developer(s)	Koei
Publisher(s)	Koei
Platform(s)	Super NES Genesis MS-DOS NEC PC-9801
Release date(s)	JP January 16, 1993[1] NA June 1994[1]
Genre(s)	Turn-based strategy Console role-playing game Strategy
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer (up to 2 players)
Rating(s)	CERO: n/a (not rated) ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A)

Operation Europe: Path to Victory is a combat strategy video game for multiple platforms where one or two players can compete in World War II action.

Summary

General information

The object of the game is to fulfill any one of the military objectives for either the Axis or the Allied forces. Players engage in modern warfare around Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and North Africa.^[2] This game uses abstract numbers and figures in the map view and saves the concrete illustrations of soldiers only when they lock horns on the battlefield or in an urban setting. Urban settings give a traditional 1930s view of housing and office buildings that provide extra protection for units that are guarding them. However, there are massive numbers to crunch and the lack of graphics help enhance the number crunching ability of game's artificial intelligence.

In Japan, this game is known as Europa Sensen (ヨーロッパ戦線^?, "European Front").^[3]

Scenario

Scenario 1

"French invasion of war" - Start date: May 10, 1940 at midnight

In May 1940, the German army invaded France with the "yellow strategy". An abundance of German armored forces give Hitler's regime the physical superiority and quality over the Anglo-French Army. The quality of the troops are low due to the technological limitation of the earlier years of World War II Axis forces called this campaign Operation Yellow.^[4]

Scenario 2

"Attack Against North Africa" - Start date: May 26, 1942 at midnight

A strategic mission of World War II that took place in North Africa is covered here. Axis naval power may be damaged by partisans in this scenario. The Axis forces must occupy Tobruk in order to win the scenario.^[5]

Scenario 3

"Major Tank Battle of Kursk" - Start date: July 5, 1943 at midnight

Soviet troops are introduced here in the first time in the game. This mission takes place in the Eastern Front of World War II. Partisan attack against Axis forces suddenly occur for the first time in this scenario.

Scenario 4

"Battle of Normandy" - Start date: June 6, 1944 at midnight

Players get to re-enact the opening stages of the Normandy landings as either Nazi Germany or the Anglo-American forces.^[6]

Scenario 5

"Battle of the Bulge" - Start date: December 16, 1944 at midnight

Under Operation Autumn Mist, German forces attack the Anglo-American forces in an reenactment of the well-known Battle of the Bulge. This is the only scenario to feature snow; which slows down marching speed.

Scenario 6

"Invasion of Berlin" - Start date: April 16, 1945 at midnight

This scenario takes place in the Eastern Front again. In this scenario, the Oder River as German and Soviet forces battle to control Berlin. Axis forces are at a complete disadvantage in this scenario. The goal of this campaign is the Allied occupation of two major German cities.^[7]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Release date". GameFAQs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/snes/data/570898.html. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
2. ^ "Basic overview". GameSpot. http://www.mobygames.com/game/operation-europe-path-to-victory-1939-45. Retrieved 2008-10-14. 
3. ^ "Japanese title". JPSNES. http://miyabi18.hp.infoseek.co.jp/date/snes2.txt. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
4. ^ Handbook p.44
5. ^ Handbook p.52
6. ^ Handbook p.68
7. ^ Handbook p.84

Book references

Handbook of European front. Honor. 1992. ISBN 978-4906300556.