Game of the Week, Sept 29-Oct 5
This week, we turn our attention to a dramatic and often overlooked campaign in the Pacific Theater: the return of Allied forces to the Philippines in Panzer Campaigns: Philippines '44. The game is now available at 25% off as our Game of the Week!
"I shall return."
When General Douglas MacArthur uttered these words after evacuating the Philippines in 1942, it was both a promise and a prophecy. By October 1944, the U.S. was ready to make good on that vow. Philippines '44 focuses on this pivotal moment: the landing of American forces on the island of Leyte and the subsequent desperate Japanese attempts to hold the central Philippines at all costs.
This title is the full-scale WDS treatment of a late Pacific campaign and it stands apart in both scale and character from its European counterparts. Philippines '44 offers players a challenging combination of terrain, weather, logistics, and tenacious enemy resistance—all key ingredients in one of the largest amphibious operations of the war.
The Campaign in Brief
On October 20, 1944, elements of the U.S. Sixth Army under General Walter Krueger landed at Red and White Beaches near Tacloban on Leyte's eastern coast. The Japanese were caught off guard but quickly organized a fierce defense, reinforced by units from nearby islands. The battle dragged on through December, culminating in bloody engagements in the Ormoc Valley, as American forces pushed west to seize the island and its critical port.
Japan's high command viewed the defense of Leyte as vital. Reinforcements were thrown in piecemeal via nighttime convoys in a desperate effort dubbed the "Tokyo Express of the Philippines." At the same time, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched its last major naval operation—culminating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history.
Philippines '44 captures the land campaign across Leyte in operational detail: jungle warfare, mountain passes, flooded plains, and crumbling Japanese defenses all play a role. The game includes over 70 scenarios, from small engagements to full campaign operations covering up to 88,000 Allied and 55,000 Japanese troops.
You can find more information in the very detailed Design Notes
Game Features
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70+ Scenarios ranging from small company-sized engagements to full campaign operations, covering all sizes and situations, including a solo tutorial scenario plus specialized versions for both head to head play and vs. the computer AI.
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Two master maps - for Leyte (24,570 hexes) and Luzon (184,800 hexes) - cover the main landing beaches and subsequent advances to liberate cities such as Manila.
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Units include U.S. Army infantry, tanks, engineers, Philippine guerrillas, Japanese infantry, artillery, and Special Naval Landing Forces.
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Highly detailed terrain of Leyte island, including jungle, swamps, mountains, and road networks.
Historical Significance
While often overshadowed by battles such as Iwo Jima or Okinawa, the Leyte campaign was a turning point. It broke Japanese control over the central Philippines and began the isolation of remaining Japanese forces throughout the archipelago. MacArthur's return had strategic and symbolic importance, and the fighting on Leyte was some of the most grueling of the Pacific War.
The terrain and weather were as much an enemy as the Japanese. Monsoon rains turned roads into rivers and supply lines into nightmares. Japanese forces, isolated and undersupplied, resorted to fanatical resistance—including banzai charges and night attacks. Meanwhile, U.S. troops faced not only this resistance, but also the complexities of amphibious operations, jungle combat, and disease.
Ready to Take Command?
Whether you take the role of General Krueger, commander of U.S. Sixth Army, pushing inland through the muddy fields and jungle roads, or General Yamashita, "The Tiger of Malaya", desperately coordinating the defense from dispersed and undersupplied outposts, Philippines '44 offers a unique Panzer Campaigns experience. It's a game of attrition, terrain, and timing—where every hex matters.
Book Recommendations and Videos
As always, here are some book recommendations, that might interest you... (clicking on the book cover brings you to Amazon)
Screenshots
Last, but not least, below you find some screenshots of the game. As with the entire Panzer Campaigns series, this title has three 2D views and two 3D views to choose from.
The game comes with lots of support document, incl. very detailed designer notes by designer Bill Peters.
If you don’t already own this title, what are you waiting for? You can buy it directly from the dedicated product page.
We hope you enjoy this week’s Game of the Week. Like all WDS titles, there is a lot of gameplay included at a very attractive price.
Ohh Happy Days. Finally a game i dont actually already own. That isnt a marine or air based one.
AND i can buy it at 10 bucks off. Deal.
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