DESCRIPTION

In the title P.T.O. II, P.T.O. stands for Pacific Theater of Operations. The game recreates battles of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the United States. Players can play as the Chief of Naval Operations and command U.S. forces or play as the Chief of Naval Staff and command Japanese forces. There are three campaign scenarios and 10 short scenarios to fight for victory in.

The campaign scenarios are The Brink of War (Nov. 26, 1941), Counter Offensive (May 27, 1942) and Approaching V-Day (March 31, 1944). In order to win campaign scenarios one of three objectives must be met: capture the capital of the enemy country, reduce productivity of the enemy country to zero or achieve a total of over 1,800 in base productivity. Victory for short scenarios will differ between each scenario. However, a short scenario can always be won if one of the three objectives from a campaign scenario is met. Short scenarios include: The Day of Infamy (Dec. 8, 1941), Southern Operation (Dec. 9, 1941), Battle of the Coral Sea (May 7, 1942), Battle of Midway (June 4, 1942), U.S.-Australia Plan (Aug. 7 1942), U.S.-Australia Plan II (Oct. 26, 1942), Admiral Koga Takes Command (Nov. 2, 1943), Operation A-GO (May 3, 1944), Battle at Leyte (Oct. 18, 1944) and The Final Days (Feb. 19, 1945).

P.T.O. II is turn-based with four phases per turn. Each turn represents one day with the order of each turn being: Japan Move Phase, U.S Move Phase, Japan Plan Phase and U.S. Plan Phase. Battle Phases may occur during a turn if one country moves one of their units onto the same space as an enemy unit. Also, on the first day of each month a conference will take place. At each conference you represent the Navy and attempt to increase your budget as well as obtain more supplies and fighting forces. The conference plays out as a card game with each member of the conference being dealt 2-7 cards. Cards are used for the following actions: submitting a proposal, agreeing to a proposal, persuading other members to agree with your proposal, persuading another member to withdraw their proposal, refusing a card, passing your turn, shortening a discussion and extending a discussion.

While moving across each map players will be in charge of four types of units: fleets, air forces, land forces and submarines. Fleets consist of your warships (Battleships, Cruisers, Carriers and Destroyers) and transports. Air forces consist of your fighter jets and bombers that can be launched from aircraft carriers or bases. Land forces are divided into the Marines and the Army and are the only units that can occupy an enemy base. In all, P.T.O. II features 120 warships, 60 fighters and bombers, 20 submarines and 10 categories of tanks. When battles are about to begin the map is zoomed in on allowing players to give commands to each individual unit.

The game settings can be adjusted in a variety of ways: message speed has three settings, sound can be placed on mono or stereo, animations can be turned on or off, advice can be turned on or off, and you can also choose to watch or not to watch battles that do not involve your forces. Other game features include a glossary of terms and biographies on famous World War II personnel. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide