Joint Operations Combined Arms ( Windows )

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to accomplish several objectives. The AI for the enemy on the Co-Op maps is mediocre. The enemy isn't very bright, as they have a tendency to run towards you when you shoot at them instead of seeking cover. There are also Team Death Match scenarios that pit one team against another. There is also Team King of the Hill scenarios where the team that stays in the scoring zone the longest, wins. Finally, there are Advance and Secure scenarios where two opposing teams hold various positions while advancing against the enemy to take their positions away.

A player can choose various weapon and equipment load-outs at the beginning of each scenario, or they can change during the scenario at any Armory. These includes: Riflemen, Engineers, Heavy Gunners, Snipers, and Medics. A typical Riflemen might be equipped with an M4/203 (which includes a 2x scope) with 300 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and six 40mm grenades, three flash-bang grenades, three smoke grenades, three fragmentation grenades, a Beretta 92F side-arm, body armor, and of course the ever present knife. There are over 40 different weapon types from the M82 0.50 caliber sniper rifle, to the Javelin (anti-tank missile launcher).

The various types of vehicles include ATVs, Dune Buggies, Hummers, motorcycles, BTRs, M-1A2 Abrams and T-80 tanks, Zodiacs, PT boats, hovercraft, plus the Chinook, Blackhawk and Little Bird helicopters. There are three different types of Little Bird helicopters; one with benches on the outside for carrying people, one with dual rocket pods, and another with dual mini-chain guns. The Blackhawk helicopter is also armed with dual mini-chain guns. The PT boats are armed with two Browning M2 0.50 caliber machine guns and at least one MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. While you won't find any tanks, hovercraft, or the Chinook helicopter in any of the NovaLogic Co-Operative scenarios, you will find them in many of the Advance and Secure scenarios or those scenarios created by other players.

Joint Operations: Combined Arms will allow up to 150 players to join on-line (using NovaLogic's servers, 64 maximum via LAN), which makes for an action packed game and provides a target rich environment. The Co-Op scenarios Nova Logic provides are well thought out and balanced to make each one challenging, but not to the point of frustration. The keyboard and mouse controls are intuitive and easy to use, and can be changed to suit your playing style. The graphics are good and you don't need a super-charged PC to run the game in any resolution effectively.

There is also a third-party map editor and scenario builder that allow you to create your own maps and play them on-line. This is something I always look for in a game because it extends the playable life of the game. The game also does not require the CD to be in the PC in order to play the game, which I consider to be another nice feature.

Joint Operations Combined Arms ( Windows )

...

to accomplish several objectives. The AI for the enemy on the Co-Op maps is mediocre. The enemy isn't very bright, as they have a tendency to run towards you when you shoot at them instead of seeking cover. There are also Team Death Match scenarios that pit one team against another. There is also Team King of the Hill scenarios where the team that stays in the scoring zone the longest, wins. Finally, there are Advance and Secure scenarios where two opposing teams hold various positions while advancing against the enemy to take their positions away.

A player can choose various weapon and equipment load-outs at the beginning of each scenario, or they can change during the scenario at any Armory. These includes: Riflemen, Engineers, Heavy Gunners, Snipers, and Medics. A typical Riflemen might be equipped with an M4/203 (which includes a 2x scope) with 300 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and six 40mm grenades, three flash-bang grenades, three smoke grenades, three fragmentation grenades, a Beretta 92F side-arm, body armor, and of course the ever present knife. There are over 40 different weapon types from the M82 0.50 caliber sniper rifle, to the Javelin (anti-tank missile launcher).

The various types of vehicles include ATVs, Dune Buggies, Hummers, motorcycles, BTRs, M-1A2 Abrams and T-80 tanks, Zodiacs, PT boats, hovercraft, plus the Chinook, Blackhawk and Little Bird helicopters. There are three different types of Little Bird helicopters; one with benches on the outside for carrying people, one with dual rocket pods, and another with dual mini-chain guns. The Blackhawk helicopter is also armed with dual mini-chain guns. The PT boats are armed with two Browning M2 0.50 caliber machine guns and at least one MK-19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. While you won't find any tanks, hovercraft, or the Chinook helicopter in any of the NovaLogic Co-Operative scenarios, you will find them in many of the Advance and Secure scenarios or those scenarios created by other players.

Joint Operations: Combined Arms will allow up to 150 players to join on-line (using NovaLogic's servers, 64 maximum via LAN), which makes for an action packed game and provides a target rich environment. The Co-Op scenarios Nova Logic provides are well thought out and balanced to make each one challenging, but not to the point of frustration. The keyboard and mouse controls are intuitive and easy to use, and can be changed to suit your playing style. The graphics are good and you don't need a super-charged PC to run the game in any resolution effectively.

There is also a third-party map editor and scenario builder that allow you to create your own maps and play them on-line. This is something I always look for in a game because it extends the playable life of the game. The game also does not require the CD to be in the PC in order to play the game, which I consider to be another nice feature.