CAW experience

[Rasputitsa]

Got this in the sale, knowing that it's very old, but some of the best games have been the oldies. The reviews said that much of the game is automated, but just wanted something quick to play occasionally, installed on a small laptop, which I use when travelling.

Reviews were right, some basic decisions to make, but the game does most of the work. Limited amount of flexibility as to where you can direct your Task Forces, either towards the enemy, or away, not much in between, but even within that simple framework there is a good game to be had.

'Coral Sea' scenario as USN, 2 flat-tops on 2 (a third IJN CV seen, but well West), second day's round of attacks lost me one carrier (Yorktown), but reports coming back said both Japanese carriers sunk, closed the battle area overnight to destroy the vulnerable remaining enemy ships, now without air cover, then intended to deal with the Port Moresby invasion group. With the dawn come clouds of Japanese aircraft from an IJN carrier, now only 60 miles away, which turned out not to have been sunk, but was undamaged and fighting fit. 'Lexington' lost with the morning strike still on deck. Ouch!

There follows a painful retreat to Australia by the remains of my Task Forces, don't under estimate a simple game, what was initially showing as a marginal USN Victory becomes ignominious defeat.

What went wrong, don't believe the reports, airman can get over-excited and even though you can see the enemy carriers burning on screen, it isn't necessarily so. Should have been more cautious and reduced speed overnight, the covering forces got out of position and left the carrier group exposed.

65 'Mystery' scenario variants for 'Midway' and 38 for 'Coral Sea', so that should bring some surprises, with hopefully good re-play value. It is basic and somewhat over simplified, the graphics are quaint, but perfect for one evening's play, when time short.[:)]

[Objekt730]

Great review, thanks for posting. Good info to consider when deciding whether to take the plunge or not.