Playing MW3 again since I wanted to try it on my CRT (and I still never beat the final 3 missions because I lost my save). Pain in the but to get this game working on a modern PC. Early Windows games are always the toughest, especially when DirectDraw or other early graphics APIs are involved. But, I got it all working, except for the videos, but I can play the AVI files directly from the videos folder in the game directory. It is unfortunate that these are a big part of the game that you might miss out on if you hadn't played it back in the day.

But, I love this game. Such a different take on the MW formula. While you still have the mech lab then the missions to contend with, it really does feel like a cohesive campaign behind enemy lines (makes sense considering this is Zipper Interactive who would go on to make the SOCOM series, also on my backlog). You need to concern yourself with making due with what you can salvage from the enemy, and may even focus on blowing off legs to preserve your enemies' valuable weapons and ammo. This adds lots of nuance and tactical considerations to both the mechlab and missions. I just made a 6x AC2 beast of an Annihilator because I had so much AC2 ammo stocked, you make due with what ya got! Also possible because there are no hardpoint limitations like in later MechWarrior games, so you can put all your weapons into your CT or Legs for that matter regardless if your Mech looks like they have weapons there. I have a house rule that I at least try to place weapons according to how it looks like they could feasibly go. There is some frustration with the game in that pathfinding an AI can be spotty. A bridge got blown up under Alan last mission and he got stuck trying to find his way out of the river so I had to leave him behind. Also, you take damage very easily and you are up against a ton of enemies, meaning many missions you'll want to run back to the mobile field base for repairs and reloads, sometimes multiple times. All the same, this game has my favorite campaign of any MW game by far. And some damn fine voice acting to boot.