Jane's Naval Warfare Collection (688(i), Fleet Command, F/A-18)

688(I)-- Beats "Tom Clancy's SSN" hands down. Yes, the graphics aren't the greatest, and there is alot to learn to truely experience running a nuke sub, the realism is what make this game a winner. The tension as you tail a Soviet SSBN into Soviet waters, the tension as you wait to see if your torpedo was aimed properly. The variety of mission, and the ability to make your own. 688I is not to be beaten.

F/A-18-- I just purchased this so I havent experienced the full essence of the game, but from what I have seen of it, there is a no more accurate Navy flight simulator. You have all the elements of flying a Hornet up to and almost including the Gs. A great buy.

Fleet Command-- What can be said? There is no other game like it. It is the biggest force the Navy has to offer, and now you control it. The element of realism is prevelant in all three of these games.

I feel that these three (and Longbow, not reviewed here) are the best Janes has to offer, and if you can think logically, enjoy strategy games, and can appreciate a deep, real life simulation, then this package is worth every penny. Amazon has a great deal here. I wish I would have seen it before I bought them seperatly.

Almost all Janes games are worth the every penny. There is one or two (that I will not name so Amazon doesnt send me hate mail...Just kidding guys!) that sacrifice some realism to make the game more playable, and I won't buy them for this reason. Make it real. People who appreciate it will take the time to learn the game.

688_Skipper


Incredibly realistic!   October 4, 2000
26 out of 27 found this review helpful

I bought these games for my husband, who was a sonar tech on a fast attack sub for three years. He was extremely pleased with the realism. If the gameplay is a little difficult to grasp at first, it's because it is VERY realistic. I agree, the graphics are not the best things in the world, but they are good enough that in combination with the realism they're still great games.

To the unknown gamer who asked if he was doing wrong (could not find instruction manual) the manual is on the CD. When you first put the CD in, the computer will open up the initial screen for 688(I) (that is you have autorun activated on your computer). There is a selection for "Manual" that is where you will find the tutorial videos and the FULL manual as a .pdf file (the CD also contains Acrobat reader if you don't have it) which is printable. It is confusing because the only printed elements that come with the set apply to the F/A-18 fighter game, but the manuals to both Fleet Command and 688(I) are on the game CDs.

The tutorial videos are marginally helpful, but you will really have to bone up on reading the manual and the technical information to truly understand the game. There are a lot of physics concepts and such that the game does not automatically do for you for the sake of realism. My husband actually lived through this stuff and he is still progressing slowly. However, don't let that discourage you if you are into simulations. These are great games!


Fleet Command   August 14, 2000
gregg giffrow (stockton, il United States)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

This is the Best Naval Combat Simulation I have ever had in my life to date. The graphics are awesome. The sound effects are so real, and the way you can maneuver above and below, or completely around the ships and aircraft completely blows you away. I think anybody who likes warfare should put this in their library today. Now! Don't hesitate. Buy one.


Fun forever with multiplayer   January 28, 2003
Michael E Johnson (Florida)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I haven't played f18 at all and I have played Fleet Command some and it is ok, but 688i is the reason you should buy this pack. It is the best most intense game I have ever played. Not so much in single player, but multiplayer rocks! I've had some GREAT battles that lasted for hours online and some that lasted a few minutes. Nothing beats playing 688i against a real live human being.

Go to Seawolves.com to find some people to play with and that will teach you how to play better too. Its a great online community/family. They also have people to play with in Fleet command and F18 as weel as many other military games.


by far the best simulation pack   April 22, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I bought this pack at EB games, it was hard to find by it only costed me 19.99. The F/A-18 simulation is the best of all, excellent graphics, physics and flight model, although it was created years ago. I've played many other flight/sub such as F-18 korea F-18 precision strike fighter, but jane's F/A-18 still porcess the best phyiscs/mission builder/graphics and espically tranning. The foucs of this naval pack is the flight simulator, and it is a must for any combat flight simer. O, it works on win XP too! just get the 2 patches for FA-18.