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.
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"
Look for the Wine Version: 3.0.3
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right
Click Next
Downloading Wine
Extracting
Downloading Gecko
Installed
Wine 3.0.3 is installed and you can close this window
PlayOnLinux Setup
Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install
Click "Install a non-listed program"
Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next
Name the virtual drive: panzerelite
Click Next
Check all three options:
- Use another version of Wine
- Configure Wine
- Install some libraries
Select Wine 3.0.3
Click Next
Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next
Wine Configuration
Applications Tab
Windows version: Windows 7
Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Click OK
PlayOnLinux Packages (DLLs, Libraries, Components)
Check the following:
- POL_Install_corefonts
- POL_Install_d3dx9
- POL_Install_tahoma
Note: All packages should automatically download and install
Click Browse
Select "setup_panzer_elite_2.0.0.3.exe"
Click Open
Click Next again...
Click Options
Check "I agree to EULA"
Uncheck "Created desktop icons"
Click "Install"
Click Exit
PlayOnLinux Shortcut
Select "Panzer_Elite.exe"
Click Next
Name the shortcut: Panzer Elite
Click Next
Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next
Note: For graphics settings, make another shortcut to "3D_Control_Center.exe"
PlayOnLinux Configure
Back to PlayOnLinux
Select "Panzer Elite"
Click Configure
General Tab
Wine version: 3.0.3
Display Tab
Video Memory size: Enter the amount of memory your video card/chip uses
Close Configure
Launch Panzer Elite
Click Run
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
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: