Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations WOTY

About

Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations - Warfighter Edition is a warfare simulation game that provides a realistic and immersive experience in modern naval and air conflicts. It offers a wide range of weapons, platforms, and systems, as well as a huge number of scenarios and campaigns. The game also features a powerful real-time combat engine, advanced command and control systems, and an extensive modding community.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Command: Modern Air / Naval Operations WOTY screenshot

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 327 reviews

story6 positive mentions

stability11 negative mentions

Incredibly detailed simulation of modern air and naval warfare with a vast database of military units and equipment.
Offers extensive scenario editing capabilities, allowing players to create and customize their own missions.
Engaging gameplay that rewards strategic planning and understanding of military tactics.

Steep learning curve that can be overwhelming for new players, requiring significant time investment to master.
User interface is clunky and not very intuitive, making navigation and command execution cumbersome.
Performance issues, including lag and crashes, can detract from the overall experience.

story
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
89%
5%
The game's story aspect is criticized for its lack of a cohesive narrative and reliance on scripted missions, leading to a disjointed experience. Players express frustration with the AI's erratic behavior, which often disregards mission parameters, and the absence of a traditional campaign mode, as most content is locked behind paid DLC. While the mission editor offers extensive customization and replayability, the overall storytelling and mission design feel underdeveloped, leaving many players wanting a more engaging and immersive experience.
- “Incredibly detailed mechanics to provide the utmost realism that can be had without access to classified material, extraordinary mission builder supported by a very active and passionate community.”
- “Once you get used to plotting the missions, fiddling with the settings etc, the only limit is your imagination, as cheesy as that sounds.”
- “The replay value is endless, it has a very good mission editor, tons of custom missions, and the devs are very committed; they constantly update it with new features.”
- “Be aware that the basic game comes with no campaign whatsoever, just some community-made missions, of which the lowest difficulty mission is highly prejudicial to the player.”
- “There is no AI; all the units are controlled with very simple scripts or missions.”
- “On the other hand, there are no dramatic first-person graphics, no embedded plots, no immersive storylines.”
graphics
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
72%
13%
The graphics in this game are consistently described as minimal and rudimentary, primarily consisting of a geographical map with NATO symbols, lacking any 3D representations or detailed animations. While some players appreciate the simplicity and find it enhances immersion, many others express disappointment over the outdated visuals and the steep learning curve associated with the game's interface. Overall, the focus is clearly on gameplay and simulation depth rather than graphical fidelity, making it unsuitable for those seeking high-quality graphics.
- “The graphics always turned me off trying this game in the past, but it's funny as I found the lack of graphics actually made the game more immersive than games with good graphics because it was like you are the real commander in the command center looking at a map with radar signals on it and giving commands.”
- “C:mano has a very steep learning curve, and the graphics are basically Google Maps plus Sharpie marks, but the amount of depth and sheer intensity it manages to convey without having to do much more than make a simple canned sound is incredible.”
- “Other naval strategy games try to look nice, but fancy graphics only distract from the gameplay.”
- “The graphics, if you can call it that, is a render of the earth with NATO symbols and sensor/weapon ranges drawn on it.”
- “Cmano includes no 3D graphics at all, and 95% of the time is spent staring at a geographical map of whatever combat zone your mission takes place in.”
- “For those looking for high-quality graphics of actual combat, the Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations is certain to be a disappointment.”
gameplay
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
6%
The gameplay of this military planning simulator is characterized by its depth and complexity, appealing primarily to strategy enthusiasts willing to invest time in mastering its intricate mechanics. While the game offers a vast database and realistic simulations, it suffers from a steep learning curve, frequent bugs, and a cumbersome user interface that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, dedicated players may find endless gameplay opportunities, especially with the support of a passionate community and extensive tutorial resources.
- “This is a simulation tool that also happens to have quite a lot of gameplay depth to it, if you have the patience and interest to find it.”
- “The scope of gameplay is unrivaled; you can command a single ship or submarine for a few hours all the way through to an entire country or operational theatre for weeks on end.”
- “The gameplay is actually more intuitive than the UI might lead you to believe; although there are elements (probably whole swathes) I've yet to even discover.”
- “A game priced in AAA ranges where you get what you pay for: f***ing gameplay!”
- “I want to be able to recommend this game for its gameplay but can't because it is so buggy and its user experience is beyond awful.”
- “Technically amazing, the asset list and detailing is a work of art - but the gameplay is so sterile, basically a wall of text and idiot AI.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The music in the game has been widely criticized for its repetitiveness and lack of variety, with many players describing it as "godawful" and reminiscent of "elevator music." Reviewers noted that the single background track becomes grating over time, detracting from the overall atmosphere and immersion. Additionally, sound effects are minimal and repetitive, leading some players to prefer playing without the in-game music altogether.
- “Also, if you want an even more awesome experience, play some radio chatter ambience and subtle tense music in the background, dim your lights and get a second monitor.”
- “Now, I like the atmosphere that some good music can provide in games.”
- “The incessant 'elevator/doctor office music' leaves me searching myself to capture the mood of combat as I watch my helicopters drop sonar buoys to it.”
- “And the music is godawful.”
- “I would be surprised if any gamers have the music playing, unless they're mad, having been driven mad by the 'music' in the game.”
- “The incessant 'elevator/doctor office music' leaves me searching for a way to capture the mood of combat as I watch my helicopters drop sonar buoys to it.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, ghosting text, and bugs that detract from the experience. While the game excels in detailed modeling of military systems and can handle complex scenarios, performance tends to degrade with a high number of units on screen, leading to inconsistent framerates. Despite these challenges, some players find the depth and strategic elements rewarding, noting that improvements have been made through patches.
- “You can take command of every ship, aircraft, military installation, and land unit you spawn (land units are not very optimized, as this game has a naval-air focus).”
- “This sim is capable of all of it and anything in between, all with every aircraft, ship, and submarine system, sensor, and weapon modeled in exacting detail with regards to performance and capability.”
- “Everything, and I mean everything, is modeled in excruciating detail with extreme care and thought at every turn, from individual weapons systems to radar performance to 1970s era warships.”
- “Though it's not sold on Steam anymore, those who have this title probably, like me, experience significant performance issues.”
- “Ghosting of text over the map, stuttering, and artifacts all take away from a potentially engrossing title.”
- “The performance takes a nosedive when you start having thousands of units because of the sheer volume of calculations the game does, but it's still insanely impressive.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with frequent freezes and glitches that disrupt gameplay and mission planning. While some users report improvements following recent updates, many still experience random lock-ups and performance issues, making it difficult to fully recommend the game. Overall, the stability remains a major drawback, overshadowing its potential and gameplay quality.
- “The unit database and game mechanics are very good, but the game freezes frequently and the complete mess that is somehow allowed to call itself a UI makes mission planning and giving orders utter tedium (of the rage-inducing kind).”
- “I would totally be giving a thumbs up if it weren't for the sudden freezes and lock-ups that seem to happen randomly, doesn't matter if it's a huge game or a small game, or if it is running at max speed or if the game is paused or if I am running it on my weakish laptop or my stupidly overpowered gaming rig.”
- “I want to be able to recommend this game for its gameplay but can't because it is so buggy and its user experience is beyond awful.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while some users find the heavily scripted scenarios offer little to no replay value, others praise the extensive mission editor and the abundance of user-generated content available online, which provide virtually infinite replayability. The commitment of the developers to regularly update the game further enhances its replay potential, making it a worthwhile investment for those who enjoy creating and customizing their experiences.
- “Awesome, just love it... the depth and realism... my kind of sim for sure... never been in the military but was always interested in the hardware... endless replay value with the powerful editor.”
- “Literally hundreds of user-made missions are available from the Steam Workshop and other online forums, so the replayability is more or less infinite.”
- “The replay value is endless; it has a very good mission editor, tons of custom missions, and the devs are very committed, constantly updating it with new features.”
- “Heavily scripted scenarios with no replay value.”
- “Most missions have very low replay value, being heavily scripted.”
- “There is practically no replayability on a scenario.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring multiple attempts to progress. The user interface adds to the frustration, making the experience feel cumbersome and slow, reminiscent of the unpredictability of real warfare.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The pilot UI is bizarre at best and tedious to work with.”
- “And, like genuine warfare, it can unfold slowly and be tedious, only to suddenly hit the player with an unmanageable number of unexpected twists and turns.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for its immersive experience, where the simplistic graphics enhance the feeling of being a real commander. However, some players find the comedic elements, particularly related to gunfire and ricochets, to be more annoying than funny over time.
- “The graphics always turned me off from trying this game in the past, but it's funny as I found the lack of graphics actually made the game more immersive than games with good graphics. It felt like you were the real commander in the command center, looking at a map with radar signals on it and giving commands.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the creative freedom it offers players, allowing them to engage deeply with the content through customization and exploration of diverse historical and hypothetical scenarios. This flexibility fosters a sense of enjoyment and personal connection, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere in the game is heavily influenced by its repetitive soundtrack, which some players find detracts from the overall experience. While the music has the potential to enhance the atmosphere, its constant loop can become monotonous and diminish immersion.
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world with its stunning visuals and sound design.”
- “The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie environment, creating a sense of tension and anticipation.”
- “Every detail in the environment contributes to a rich atmosphere that makes exploration feel rewarding and engaging.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is likened to nostalgic advertising from the 80s, emphasizing a clever and engaging approach that appeals to the player's imagination rather than relying on flashy graphics or aggressive monetization tactics.