Command Modern Operations

undercovergeek · July 23, 2024, 06:26:16 PM

There are many threads on the subject (including my own from many moons ago) but none i feel address a question

Is it actually a game? my 50% matrix voucher is burning a hole in my pocket and i really like the look of the 'game'

Steam reviews are split between nerdgasms about the size of the library and the sheer weight of possibilities and scenarios to test, or that it is to complicated

personally i dont want to try what ifs - i want intricately built scenarios that provide a learning curve and some entertainment - i want to enjoy the game not simply be awed by the database

dont get me wrong i have spent the last 6 months knee deep in aurora 4x - i dont need fancy anythings, im not scared of a spreadsheet and a shit ton of data i just want to enjoy the game

i put about 15 hours this weekend into nebulous fleet command and whilst i can see the beauty of the game it wasnt fun

Redwolf · July 23, 2024, 07:23:54 PM

I didn't play it much, but I found it to be reasonable.

You can also combine it with TacView.

Silent Disapproval Robot · July 23, 2024, 07:49:23 PM

Yup, there's a game in there. I think the biggest hurdle is that the game expects you to know what all the various sensor platforms are and how they're meant to be used without really providing you any real explaination.

Jarhead0331 · July 23, 2024, 07:59:57 PM

For me, basic tasks have a very reasonable learning curve. For instance, launching and directing small numbers of units...Designating targets and allocating weaponry...Commanding small numbers of platforms against nominally dangerous threats in a controlled or simple two dimensional environment...etc. etc. These tasks are easy for me to grasp. However, the complexity and difficulty dramatically ramps up for me when trying to plan and implement complex multi-platform operations involving a diversity of units in the air, on the surface and beneath the waves. I tend to get overwhelmed quickly and throw in the towel. I suppose its a matter of not understanding how to utilize the UI and access the information available during the scenario, as well as simply not having the same attention span and patience like I once had.

Tripoli · July 23, 2024, 09:02:49 PM

Quote from: undercovergeek on July 23, 2024, 06:26:16 PMThere are many threads on the subject (including my own from many moons ago) but none i feel address a question

Is it actually a game? my 50% matrix voucher is burning a hole in my pocket and i really like the look of the 'game'

Steam reviews are split between nerdgasms about the size of the library and the sheer weight of possibilities and scenarios to test, or that it is to complicated

personally i dont want to try what ifs - i want intricately built scenarios that provide a learning curve and some entertainment - i want to enjoy the game not simply be awed by the database

dont get me wrong i have spent the last 6 months knee deep in aurora 4x - i dont need fancy anythings, im not scared of a spreadsheet and a shit ton of data i just want to enjoy the game

i put about 15 hours this weekend into nebulous fleet command and whilst i can see the beauty of the game it wasnt fun

CMO is the best unclassified tactical/operational simulation of modern naval/air/strike warfare. No other program is close. It is good enough that there is a professional edition that, while it offers some bells and whistles, does not differ very much "under the hood" in the basic program, aside from the database and a couple of features.

With that said, it is not a "game" per se. IMHO, it is closer to a simulation. In the more modern scenarios (1995 and after) the array of units, sensors, systems and weapons you have to juggle is mind-boggling. However, no other COTS program gives you the "sandbox" to experiment in than CMO. If you are interested in learning about modern military operations (with the notable exception of ground ops), there is no finer program than CMO. But it is not necessarily "fun". Possibly the 1965-1990 scenarios might be more entertaining, as the available systems are fewer and more intuitive. But after 1990, the complexity ramps up considerably. With that said, 50% off is quiet the bargain, and I would highly recommend it. [Full disclosure: I was a beta tester back in 2013, and am still very active with the images/desription files development, so I'm not exactly unbiased]. One other point: The game was published in 2013, but still receives very frequent (4-5/year) free updates, scenarios, and new systems from the developer, largely because of the continuing active use of CMO by various NATO countries.

I have done a couple of AARs that are posted to Grogheads, if you want to get an idea of how a scenario plays out See https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=25950.0 for one by me and https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=21257.0 from one by CPT Miller

Destraex · July 23, 2024, 10:23:21 PM

I did not play command much either but it is not that hard to play interface wise. What is hard is knowing all of the weapons platforms limitations.
I think it's a really great game. It would be better with the multiplayer I believe the military version has.

Nebulous Fleet Command however I have given up on. The coop campaign was going to save it by giving battles context but that has been cancelled. What is left is a super complex ship building system with the compressed "brael" ranges and levels that primarily consist of spherical sized asteroid fields. Fish bowl levels. To me it's like a giant tech demo rather than a fun game. It cannot decide if it is a casual game or a sim. There is nothing to do but play hide and seek vs other peoples meta builds.
That is fun for a while but gets old fast without context and solar system burns. That and I still find the 3d movement system to be a pain.
Nebulous has so much going for it and I do not regret my time in it, but I just don't see the reward in hiding behind a rock like I am playing in a paintball arena.

ArizonaTank · July 24, 2024, 06:48:45 AM

Quote from: Tripoli on July 23, 2024, 09:02:49 PMCMO is the best unclassified tactical/operational simulation of modern naval/air/strike warfare. No other program is close. ...

...

With that said, it is not a "game" per se. IMHO, it is closer to a simulation. In the more modern scenarios (1995 and after) the array of units, sensors, systems and weapons you have to juggle is mind-boggling.

+1 I would also say that it is a great learning tool to help you understand the "symphony" of air/naval/ground operations with current and cold war technology. How aircraft and naval platforms and sensors interact and compliment each other. It is a very complex simulation, but has really nice bite-sized tutorials. But I agree, it is not really a "game" per se.

undercovergeek · July 26, 2024, 04:29:40 AM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 23, 2024, 07:59:57 PMFor me, basic tasks have a very reasonable learning curve. For instance, launching and directing small numbers of units...Designating targets and allocating weaponry...Commanding small numbers of platforms against nominally dangerous threats in a controlled or simple two dimensional environment...etc. etc. These tasks are easy for me to grasp. However, the complexity and difficulty dramatically ramps up for me when trying to plan and implement complex multi-platform operations involving a diversity of units in the air, on the surface and beneath the waves. I tend to get overwhelmed quickly and throw in the towel. I suppose its a matter of not understanding how to utilize the UI and access the information available during the scenario, as well as simply not having the same attention span and patience like I once had.

Holy crap youre right

Playing thru the tutorials - written by AndrewD - got to mission 3 to shoot down the UAV, and the opener is basically - use what you learnt in 1 and 2 - but, but..... im old!

pens and papers will be required

Dimitris · July 26, 2024, 02:05:45 PM

Have a look at Phil Gatcomb's tutorial videos series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLumwWCWlwh39mBwwGJh-LE4_KWwLobkoT

They are frequently praised by new players for easing them into the game.

Jarhead0331 · July 26, 2024, 04:21:56 PM

Quote from: Dimitris on July 26, 2024, 02:05:45 PMHave a look at Phil Gatcomb's tutorial videos series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLumwWCWlwh39mBwwGJh-LE4_KWwLobkoT

They are frequently praised by new players for easing them into the game.

Aren't many of them quite old? How have they aged with all of the updates?

stolypin · July 29, 2024, 10:48:33 AM

As I have posted before: in my 43 years of wargaming (board and computer), I have played no game better than Command Modern Operations. It requires a commitment to learn (which I did in 2016, over two years after it was released) but it eventually clicked (somewhat surprisingly since many games do not click for me, e.g. Graviteam Tactics). I would definitely consider it the most complex game I play. There are many aspects that have been added over the years that I am fuzzy about (like cargo). And my aging desktop - once considered a screamer -- is started to struggle with it.

rss334 · September 06, 2024, 12:17:45 PM

Saw this from Mbar in the sale thread, for anyone interested in command this should be a deal too good to pass up.

"
Steam keys are available at Fanatical [I have used them. They are a trusted seller]
Build your own Bundle: Command: Modern Operations DLC Campaigns
https://www.fanatical.com/en/pick-and-mix/build-your-own-bundle-command-modern-operations-dlc-campaigns
"