Recent reviews by jobert

It's not for everyone but the game does fill in a void for stat nerds and sim junkies.

It is one of those games that just makes you play over and over without making you feel forced to do it.

A friend asked me, "So how is this different from a word processor?". And I answered, "It's not".

The core function of Nimble Writer is the same as other word processors out there from Notepad to MS Word.

What sets it apart are the functions NW offers. Albeit simple, they prove extremely useful. I write for a trade magazine and usually have to alt-tab to a browser or to my notes for reference. The fact that I can store notes within Nimble Writer has proved extremely useful on my end.

There are other programs that have more features than Nimble Writer but as it is, I am very content with Nimble Writer. I feel writing with it is easier for me than before I had the program.

Of course there are some features I would like it to have but even at this early stage of the program, I am very very happy with it.

This game is fun! Really fun! Right off the bat, after downloading the game, CMANO has monopolized most of my game time.

I even have nominated this for a new category in the 2016 Steam Awards: The Under the Radar Award.. haha.. get it?

This game though is probably not for everyone.

It's for people who love simulations and RTS games. Those who are into action games, platformers, and shoot-em-ups would probably want to avoid this. If you enjoyed Warcraft, Starcraft, the Total War games, Civilization, Warhammer, the Wargame series (EE, ALB and Red Dragon), then this game would be worth considering.

AND, if you are an old geezer like me and have sneakily played Harpoon on the office PC during the late 80s/early 90s then this one is a no brainer.

Watch Baloogan's YouTube videos on this game. I have spent hours watching his games and have learned a lot from it. His videos are what gave me the final push to get this game.

For some reason, Steam has a problem tracking my game time. My guess is that the initial loading screen is what it tracks (that screen stays on after loading the game screen which I turn off the first few times) and not the game screen itself.

The learning curve is a bit high but not too high that it becomes frustrating. For me, the difference between frustrating and challenging is that frustrating is when you just want to get it over with in order to move on and challenging is doing it again and again until you are satisfied while enjoying it each time.

This game is challenging.

Graphics are basically limited to the unit symbols and the terrain map.. basically its your imagination (best to dl the image mods to have a mental picture of the units) that drives what you're seeing on screen. Reminds me of old Infocom ads in the 80s, how the brain is the best graphical processor around.

There are a lot of mission scenarios. The page says 40 but after downloading the community pack, I have another 177 (!!!) scenarios that cover engagements all around the world! And there is an editor where you can even make up your own scenario.

To give you an idea of the missions, the first tutorial mission was to bomb a couple of land targets that are protected by SAM installations. I launched a couple of F14s to patrol the area, set up Prowlers and Hawkeyes to monitor the area and jam enemy radar, then set up my strike force.

I still haven't got a major victory (only a minor one; ran out of ordinance and had one bldg still standing). But I'll get back to this mission later. Going back to this mission and repeating it didn't feel like a chore to me.

In the second tutorial, I had to micromanage one submarine through 4 stages sub v sub, sub v boat, sub v boat with a helicopter patrolling the area seeking you out, and finally sub v land target.

Units are intelligent. Just send out the mission order, define the conditions and send them off. You can have them do the mission automatically or manually control and guide them.

Much has been talked about the price. I got it on sale but still it was a bit high for me that I really had to think five times whether I should or should not. I'm glad I did.

I think about it this way, I have spent much more on games I haven't played yet and some that I never will play again.

Just to set expectations:

1. The first thing you'll notice is that the game rests above Windows UI (similar to how Excel or Word launches). This took me by surprise since I initially thought that it was a subpar game because of it. But don't let it fool you, the game is top notch regardless. Plus using dual monitors is easy because of this.
2. The graphics. Much has been talked about it but to quote Cypher from the movie The Matrix, "But there's way too much information to decode the Matrix. You get used to it. I...I don't even see the code. All I see is blonde, brunette, red-head"
3. Sound. There is none to talk about. It's really basic that I just play it without my headphones on.
4. The pacing closely resembles how the pacing would be in real life. Missiles takes minutes to hit targets. Your planes need time to be loaded up, taxi to the runway, and launch.
5. Planning and strategy. When a scenario loads up, a pop up with mission details come up. It's best to read it and familiarize with the scenario. The overall strategy is laid out with some helpful tips but you must still have to plan out how to execute it
6. The Database. Much has been written about its extensive database and boy, it really is. It's like a big technical manual of every weapon, vehicle, and even installations around; complete with its history, and the different versions and iterations around.
7. No multiplayer. I really can't comment on this because I'm happy already with the way its set up but some would want to try this out in MP but sadly it isn't an option.
8. UI comes out clunky and there's no immediate accessible keyboard control guide. After awhile though like most games you'll get the hang of it. But if I have to complain, it's the UI really.

Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations is 100% really about the gameplay.

Anyway, not sure if this review makes much sense but I wholeheartedly recommend this for people who love the genre and are deciding whether to get it or not.

This is my first foray into hardcore/realistic MMO shooters.

Being used to playing CS, my first few games were utter confusion. I couldn't distinguish friends from enemies, I just can't aim fire and run at the same time. Run into an enemy face to face when you turn a corner? Good luck getting that shot in while your mind just blanks out.

My first ever thought when playing the game was "Why is everyone running?". Where are they going? It was just utter confusion.

But after a few hours, I was hooked. I've learned to flank the enemy. Fire a rifle when it counts. And minimize shooting at my own team mates. But all that pales in comparison to the experience. You get to feel the confusion a battle brings, the paranoia, and the panic when you find out your commander just ordered an artillery attack on the very place you are standing on and running back to safer ground while your teammates mistake you for an attacking enemy.

It's just spastic. One time, I accidentally shot a teammate while he was about to throw a grenade. Needless to say, everyone in the room died.

Yes, I am that kind of a noob.

That said, the community is great. I mean, better than others if I may say. I would like to describe it, for a lack of a better word, more mature. I guess because the game demands a lot more patience and understanding than a standard run and gun.

It's not for everybody. CS players would find this a bit taxing. And you do have to invest a bit of time to understand the mechanics. But for overall gameplay and enjoyment, for me at least, this one is on the top of my list.

And yeah, my teammates forgave me for that grenade drop.

The graphics may be bit dated but for me, gameplay is king.

This game is thoroughly enjoyable and in my opinion still the best sniper game up to now.

I had this game years ago and decided to pick it up again and I haven't regretted that decision. It's definitely not for people who like blasting through enemies and stomping all over the map. This one gets you into a zen like state while shooting enemies from a distance.

Sure you can just grab a machine gun and start mowing down enemies and firing bazookas at tanks. But the reward of a head shot from afar or stealthily planting TNT behind tanks and blowing them up from a safe place can't be compared to that.

If you want an action game that is relaxing and peaceful, try this game out.