Commander: Modern War

Commander: Modern War is a mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as if it was a real PC game (it's not)... it's a cash grab from greedy mobile devs. This mobile app is a reskin of the developers other games... basically a simple form of asset flipping, take the same game, change the assets, then you can sell the game all over again. This obviously has no value for gamers, but unethical developers don't really care about gamers, they just want money. The've done this almost a dozen times... a dozen hex based mobile app "strategy" games all alike, but with different skins on them. Obviously my review for this is going to look a lot like my reviews for all the other "Flips" of this exact same game. There's only so many ways you can warn gamers about the same problems. And so you can see I'm not making this up, here's a list of all the copy + pastes of this app I've found so far: [list] [*] Commander Bug Wars [*] Commander: Modern War [*] Commander: World War II [*] Commander: Zombie Wars [*] Expect the Unexpected [*] Interstellar Conquest [*] Lorhaven: Cursed War [*] Mutant Meltdown [*] Paths & Danger [*] Z Dawn [/list] These are all reskins and reshuffles of [i]exactly the same mobile app![/i] Republishing the same game over and over again is a disservice to gamers, and the pollution it causes is harmful to everyone. It gives indie devs a bad name, and it crowds the store, making it harder for genuine developers who do the right thing to find an audience for genuinely made PC games. From a technical perspective, as a mobile app, this doesn't meet basic minimum requirements that most PC gamers expect as standard. While there are options to change the resolution for the mobile app, all this does is scale up the simplistic 2D art assets used to make the mobile app, which makes little or no difference to the graphics quality. Without any other substantial graphics tweaks, it's not possible for gamers to improve the lacklustre 2D visuals. The mobile app features mostly static, barely animated 2D images, the kind of thing you expect to see in browser/flash games. This looks bad when the attacking soldiers just "slide and bump" into the next hex. This was released in 2024, and they couldn't work out how to do animations? While the artwork itself, while mediocre, might be considered passable, the visual presentation here is negligible, it might as well be a slideshow or a Youtube video. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Asteroids had more advanced animation and visuals going on than this game does. The developers didn't design the mobile app for modern gaming PCs, as such the display resolution caps out at around 1440p, there's no support for the state-of-the-art 4K or higher resolutions. The mobile app simply won't look right on modern gaming displays due to this failure on the part of the developers. The controls can't be customised because the game has such a dumbed down, simplified interface that it's just iPhone screen tapping stuff. The fact that the interface is this dumbed down might be seen as a problem in itself, however... this is a fairly shallow experience if you're the kind of gamer that likes to play games with deep, rich control schemes and interaction. You'll get none of that here. Because this is a mobile app, it carries a number of deliberate design deficiencies. Compromises were made to cater to the iPhones that the mobile app was designed for. These are unfortunate handicaps and limitations that PC gamers shouldn't be forced to accept, but it's evident that PC was an afterthought for the iPhone developers who are to blame for this. The mobile app is deficient as a result of these choices, and would have been so much better without the handicaps that designing games for mobile phones forces upon a game. Once more, mobile devs have made gaming worse for everyone. I didn't spend thousands on building a gaming rig just so I could pretend it's an iPhone. These technical defects push this mobile app below acceptable standards for any modern PC game. The poor quality of this mobile app is reflected by how many people spent time with it. At the time of this review, SteamDB shows the all-time peak player number was only 8 players. This is a remarkably low number, and now, the only player activity occurs once or twice a month, presumably someone loading it up to see what it is then quickly uninstalling it. Considering there's over 120 million gamers on Steam and well over 100,000 games for gamers to choose from, the overwhelming lack of interest in this low quality mobile app is to be expected. [quote][b][url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/profile]Profile Features Limited![/url][/b] Valve have marked this mobile app as "Profile Features Limited" at the time of this review. This is usually caused by poor sales figures and low community acceptance for the mobile app (to date). Until this status changes, this mobile app will not give you +1 to your Game Collector badge count, appear in profile achievements or any other Steam meta-accomplishments, nor can it be displayed in some profile showcases. If these factors are important to you, it may be worth holding off before buying this mobile app.[/quote] So, should you buy this mobile app? Is this one of the best of the 100,000+ games on Steam? Once more we see greedy mobile devs trying to scam PC gamers. On Steam, this is $10 USD, on app stores, it's $3.60. Mobile devs must learn PC gamers are not here to be gouged, and can't be expected to pay ALMOST THREE TIMES THE PRICE for an already overpriced mobile app just because it's been lazily dumped on Steam. This is unacceptable disrespect for PC gamers. Because this is a mobile app, is priced to insult and gouge PC gamers, and because of the other defects, it's impossible to recommend. Just who do they think we are?

[h3]RANKING:[/h3] [table] [tr] [td] [h3][strike]AVOID | LACKING[/strike] | [b]MAYBE[/b] | [strike]WORTHWHILE | COMPELLING | UNMISSABLE [/strike] [/h3] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [h3]SYNOPSIS:[/h3] [table] [tr] [th][b]SUMMARY:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] Commander: Modern War (CMW) is a beer-and-pretzels TBT wargame, that plays like Panzer General but with a Command & Conquer style. The lack of a historical anchor makes it feel rather generic. While the omission of a persistent army is lamentable, giving campaign missions a standalone feel. The use of a Borderlands style colour scheme gives visuals a nice, recognisable look. One that is complimented with some suitably decent audio. Made with decent quality it doesn't have many issues. There is no multiplayer or workshop integration, though they are being considered. Perhaps easy to overlook, CMW already ranks a strong [b]MAYBE[/b] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [td][b]STATUS:[/b][/td] [td]Released and has received 3x updates since [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]APPEAL:[/b][/td] [td]For fans of generic entry level TBT wargames in the mold of Panzer General II, with a Command & Conquer playstyle [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]VALUE:[/b][/td] [td]Slightly overpriced due to the short campaigns and its generic nature, unless there is a desire to make more maps [/td] [/tr] [/table] [quote]Key provided by the developer through [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32732116-IndieGems/]IndieGems[/url]. Follow us for more reviews like this one.[/quote] [i]More info below....[/i] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2967557620 [h3]KEY ATTRIBUTES:[/h3] [table] [tr] [td][b]THE GOOD:[/b] [/td] [td] [b]▲ [/b]Colourful Borderlands style visuals [b]▲ [/b]Experience system makes veteran units valuable [b]▲ [/b]Lots of transportation options using APCs, helicopters and hovercraft [b]▲ [/b]Very accessible leads to flat learning curve, to start playing quickly [b]▲ [/b]Easy to use Scenario Editor is included [b]▲ [/b]4x base types allow instantaneous purchase of new units with credits earned per turn [b]▲ [/b]Generic rock/Muse style sound-track & 'authentic' weapon sound-effects [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]THE BAD:[/b][/td] [td] [b]▼ [/b]Missions are restricted to certain units and slowly introduced over the course of a campaign [b]▼ [/b]No persistent army [b]▼ [/b]No historical or real-life anchor [b]▼ [/b]Short on a number of genre-standard gameplay and combat mechanics [b]▼ [/b]A few reused models across both factions; mainly infantry and naval units [b]▼ [/b]No saving mechanism, so game progress in mid-flow is lost on exit [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]AND THE REST:[/b][/td] [td] [b]↔ [/b]Limited content. Only 2x campaigns of 8x missions each, but 24x standalone scenarios [b]↔ [/b]2x mission types: limited units + reinforcements, bases to build own force. Both attritional in nature [b]↔ [/b]Lacks workshop and modding support which it could do with [b]↔ [/b]Decent overall quality with only a few minor bugs and QoL issues encountered [/td] [/tr] [/table] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2967561562 [h3]KEY OBSERVATIONS:[/h3] [b]< SETTING >[/b] ► The contemporary two bloc conflict in the vein of NATO vs anti-West bloc gives it a generic nature. Especially without any of the cutscenes of C&C to define a faction's personality. ► Without historical context and a persistent army, the campaign missions seem disassociated. [b]< CONTENT >[/b] ► Campaigns are too short. Even with the standalone scenarios and a map editor to create missions. ► Maps are small ensuring scenarios are short and manageable. A good thing as there is no mid-savegame feature. ► Objectives are limited to just destroying every enemy units, seizing all strategically important locations or both. ► Neglecting to use a persistent army across missions, makes the campaign in-effect feel like a collection of standalone missions. ► Both campaign and standalone missions are single-player only. [b]< UNITS >[/b] ► Models are well drawn and instantly recognisable to the contemporary military hardware they represent. ► A good spread of unit types include: foot infantry, AT infantry, AA infantry, engineers, recon, APCs, tanks, mobile artillery, mobile SAM; bombers, interceptors, ground attack, transport helicopters, attack helicopters; carriers, cruisers, destroyers and hovercraft. ► Models lack any damage indication which is instead represented as a value. ► Any land unit can capture a location. [b]< GAMEPLAY & MECHANICS >[/b] ► Gameplay feels familiar to other well-established hex-based TBTs, yet CMW has it's own playstyle. One that is similar to playing a turn-based Command and Conquer, but without the grind for resource gathering. ► Depending on the objective, missions become a race to capture key locations, careful chess-like exchanges or a mixture of both. This sees the AI go on the offensive in some scenarios. ► Strategy tends to descend into phases of attack, substituting damaged units, repairing these and sending them back, while holding enemies at bay and depleting their numbers. ► There is a nice change of pace when bases are deliberately omitted forcing to use limited reinforcements to complete the objectives at hand. ► The game has a nice array of transportation vehicles. Both infantry and vehicles can be loaded onto APCs, various helicopters and naval landing craft. ► Missing features include: no undo move, no movement pathing, buildings cannot be upgraded, nor is income indicated. Units cannot fortify, no counter-artillery fire or adjacent combat support or any zone of control. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2967237697 [b]< COMBAT >[/b] ► Combat uses standard IGOUGO and is as basic in composition due to missing TBT mechanics that veterans of the genre may see as standard. ► Terrain plays its role by providing extra defence to units in its cover. However, there is no digging in or fortifying a position. ► Fog of War exists to blunt visibility, which can be alleviated by recon vehicles. ► The AI is fairly standard, capable of defeating the player when aided by the advantage of numbers and restrictions placed through the map design. On a few maps it actually managed to stop me winning. ► Replacements can heal damaged units when stationed in cities or bases, carriers or with the use of engineers. ► Units can over-strength through healing/repair. ► The XP system ensures veterans become an invaluable game changer with increased stats, longer movement ranges and auto-heal without the need of engineers or to be stationed at locations. ► Some units such as SAMs have radar capability that can see beyond the FoW. [b]< PERFORMANCE >[/b] ► QUALITY - Has a polished feel despite being lite on features and mechanics. ► QoL - A clunky unit selection process can be fiddly to use. Some much needed tooltips are missing. Its not entirely clear where credits are being earned from. Red faction is missing a ground-attack aircraft. ► BUGS - Damaged transports do not pass casualties onto the units they carry. Naval units cannot enter empty sea hexes when these are occupied by friendly air units. ► CRITICAL ISSUES - None were experienced. ► STEAM SUPPORTS - Cloud saves, screen captures through the overlay and straightforward to accomplish achievements. [table][tr] [td]Click for:[/td] [td][h1][url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/TheIrregularGamer/discussions/0/3832043350352660336/]Full Review[/url][/h1][/td] [/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [td][b]REVIEWED WITH:[/b][/td] [td]Game Build v1.0.4; Both campaigns on normal & 1x scenario INTEL i5 6600 3.3GHz, 8GB RAM, GTX970 @ 1GB 1920x1080 windowed, EVO850 SSD [/td] [/tr] [/table] [quote=]Thank you for reading | Click to follow my curator[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/40556040-The-Irregular-Gamer/] THE IRREGULAR GAMER[/url][/quote]

I'm a big fan of turn-based WW2 and Modern era wargames. And old Daisenryaku games in particular. to the extent that I have a Facebook page for them. On the face of it, Commander: Modern War appeared to right in my wheelhouse as a gamer. On the plus side: inexpensive, easy on memory and storage requirements, map editor, fog of war. And most importantly, a developer who didn't just push the game out the door and call it a day. He supports the game closely and continues to refine it. On the downside ? No saving (currently not a major flaw given the brevity of the missions). Drab, small maps. No real-world hardware. The developer states it was his decision to keep it all generic to forestall nitpicking grognards, but not having to do much research also simplified things for him, n'est-ce pas ? While the Scenario mode maps allow up to 8 factions, regardless of the additional colors there are really only two, the Alliance and Coalition. Skins for the two factions two vary for some, but not all of the units. Overall the game play is okay, consisting of killing all enemy units for the most part. Where the map isn't clogged with enemy units, the action is reasonably fluid. First, captures aren't limited to infantry, any ground unit can take a city or facility. There are no zones of control. Units can level up and their movement increases along with strength points. And despite fog of war there's no penalty for walking into an ambush, you can advance at will and still fire on any enemy you butt up against. Is this latter aspect a good feature ? No. Played through the Alliance Campaign, the missions vary from reasonably entertaining to boring. Particularly on the maps where Red just spawns units which come at you like zombies, it's a matter of exterminating the spawn until they finally stop coming. Camp on top of the spawn point and they just emerge under your unit. I'm done with C:MW shy of 20 hours but will keep an eye on the updates. For me it gets a tepid thumbs up based on the trend of continued development and because the price is fair for the content.

Commander Modern War is a turn-based tactical game that will put your strategic skills to the test. You can choose to fight for one side there's the Alliance and the Coalition, its like NATO and Russia let's say. The game features intense battles for a turn based where you to command infantry, vehicles, boats and air units. Each type is a good counter to a specific branch. The campaign is very fun and not very easy, even on easy. MIssions are cool as they are challenging but with a sinmplicicity of an old school game. You can play premade scenarios up tp 8 players either CPU or persons, you can choose different colors, the starting place, the faction, and teams. There's some customizations for the game as well. Another cool thing is the map editor. Overall, if you're looking for a challenging and thrilling game, Commander: Modern War is definitely worth checking out. 9/10

it's got a real cool map editor, just hope soon we can save games against AI. satellite recon would be cool, as well as submarines.

Reminds me of old school DOS games of this type... Perfect General. Lost Admiral. etc... its pretty simple and it has no save feature in a match but it was only 99 cents so im giving it a thumbs up

Gameplay is basic, graphics and animations have some charm to it, but what really put me off about this game was the story. You don't even need a story for a game like this, just "NATO and CSTO finally duke it out" or smthg, but the devs came up with a cartoony and Manichean story even worse than the worst Tom Clancy novel.

This is actually a surprisingly good game for just $10. I had fun with playing a couple scenarios, but I see it's still being improved and in further development since the campaign isn't yet available. This game may not have great graphics and the interface could also use some work, but it holds a lot of promise and the core game is good.

这个游戏目前还远远称不上完善。首先翻译很糟糕......目前还没有海军，也没有战斗动画。 This game is far from perfect. First of all, the translation is very bad...At present, there is no navy and no combat animation. 这游戏我只会在推出完整版后才会考虑购买。 I will only consider buying this game after the full version is released

とりあえず４０分くらいやってみての感想としては まだ少しわかりにくい部分がある わかりにくい部分としては ・ユニットをクリックしたらすぐに移動地点を選択できない、ユニットをクリックすると下に出てくるボタンを押して初めて移動地点を選択できる ・補給のシステムがよくわからない、ユニットが拠点にいなくても左に出てくるボタンを押せば補給できるが、そのターンは行動不能になる ・ガバガバ翻訳 など これらの要素で最初は混乱した でも、ここら辺は慣れたらなんともないと思う 以下良い点と悪い点 良い点 ・ファミ〇ンウォーズなどを彷彿させるシステム、ゲーム性 ユニットを生産して、拠点を奪い合うというシステムは一緒、ファミ〇ンウォーズ好きにはおすすめの作品だと思う ・今のところ全地上ユニットで拠点を占領できる 悪い点 ・１ゲーム初めて途中でゲームを中断したくても途中セーブが未実装なため中断できない（シナリオモードではそうだった） ・ガバガバ翻訳 ・補給システムが謎 ・拠点占領も左に出てくる旗マークを押さないと占領できない（これがよく忘れる） 自分はファミコンウォーズ好きなのでこのゲームの今後にはとても期待してる