grunt_GI

I think you will enjoy it a lot...just don't measure it against the games with the V3 engine, and weigh it as a stand alone title...and try not to get too annoyed at the farked up QB system... I haven't figured out how yet...

I will say if you measure CMSF to the current games, you will be disappointed with several things: The QB system sucks...apologies to BFC, but there is a reason the newer games have QB maps and Force Selection. I was one of the many guys who complained about this for a long time...keep in mind I enjoy CMSF so much I bought a full set for both PC and Mac (I went a while between Macs and played CMSF on Bootcamp) but the QB system is weird to say the least. It can be manipulated to a certain extent, but is very frustrating at times. The game controls and moveable waypoints haven't been a big deal for me...yes, the V3 engine has a lot more features, but the basic gameplay is pretty much the same, at least from my perspective. However, the mix of units is pretty darn good if you want to play US or NATO...or even Red on Red games. However, there are many good things as well: There is a lot of content-I have 24 campaigns and over 200 scenarios as well as 164 QB maps. The user community REALLY stepped up for this title. What I personally like is that there are several campaigns/scenarios inspired by real world operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a personal interest of mine. With some manipulation or a really good scenario, it gives you a great sense of what fighting insurgent and/or conventional military forces is like. To summarize: Yes, CMSF is an older game without many V3 features and the QB system sux, but it is well worth the price and offers a very different game perspective than the WW2 titles or even CMBS.

I don't recall anyone making a CMSF UI mod. Yes, I hope more CMSF content gets moved over...although I think I vacuumed all the Campaigns and Scenarios off the old BFC site...no mods though..

I personally own all the games except CM:A and I play CMSF a LOT...it is a bit dated, but still very playable...and there is a LOT of content for it... and if you own a Mac like I do, the bundle price is hard to beat.

I don't know about that...it may make things worse...I set up a set of folders for all my CM stuff on my desktop...that way it's very easy to copy/paste/delete mods out of the game DATA folder as needed, my only KNOWN issue was the conflict between the Stalingrad and Last Panzer mod sets...I ASSUME all your other mods will be fine...I just prefer to use Stalingrad by itself to ensure there are no issues...

I did have some issues with dragonwynn's LAST PANZER mods...primarily because he used some of the same mods Stalingrad does and they are both HUGE mod sets...so the answer to your question is "It Depends"...the Stalingrad mods do use Mod Tags, BUT just to be safe, my recommendation would be to just use the Stalingrad mods...they are a MONSTER set. In theory they should not interfere with your other mods, but you never know....

OOHHH, a dragonwynn Stalingrad campaign?

Oh, yea duh...it's a campaign....awesome screenshots of the Chechens though...should be outstanding...

Very cool...might make me want to join Putin's army...or is it playable from both sides?

Screenshots please!

I think you hit upon the key to enjoying RT...which I play almost exclusively for the same reason you do, I (sadly) have limited playing time....I pause A LOT, especially with larger scenarios...kind of my own version of WEGO...but it does allow me to at least get the troops moving in a coherent fashion...until they contact the enemy, of course. I also think RT adds a bit of realism that you can't manage everything at once...which is not good if you're in a time crunch to reach objectives.

Interesting write up...I know you said you don't play QB very much, however I consider them really the best part of the game for me. I often only have 30-45 minutes to play, so a good QB provides just enough CM...also the AI has really improved over the series and is outstanding in CMFB. I think QB really add something to the single player replayability and overall value of the game..in addition to the excellent modding and scenario building community. Overall, very well done, hopefully it will put more beer money in the BFC gang's coffers.

@George MC Looking forward to this...does it require/use any MODS?

Works like a champ.....

Yes, I also have two buttons in RT...also, for some reason when I quit, I get sent back to a funky splash screen...can send screen shot...

Haha, thanks much..you're right..no one read past that first line..including me.

Heh...fascinating concept...and looks like a good opportunity to highlight some excellent Mods from both CMRT and CMBS.... As usual, your creativity and attention to detail will make this an excellent campaign no doubt...although I'm not really a team Russia player for the most part...

A very nice and fair review...the description of the game is spot on, especially the tactical aspects and the effect of terrain on the game play.

One thing I have noticed is that the AI for Quick Battles seems so much more aggressive than previous titles...and smarter too...just played a Tiny ME as the Americans, and the Germans were certainly relentless in pushing for the objectives and seemed to coordinate their MGs with attacking infantry quite well when attacking my flanks. Having so many options for terrain/weather and location for QB is really gonna make the replayability of this game great. And you get quite a few more units for both sides to start than some previous games...Wehrmacht, Waffen SS and Fallschirmjager for the Germans and Infantry, Paratroopers, Mech Inf for the Americans...lots of possibilities. Very, very well done.

DANG......that is impressive...looking forward to this...

Oh, yes, definitely looking forward to this...

Heh, that would be too funny...I do like the new buttons....the UI overall is really great...

These look really great. Does the command button "light up" when selected?

Devils Descent is definitely good for smaller battles within the campaign....