I'm really trying to develop a liking for this game, I truly am. Back in 1996, I played JA1, and a few years later, I spent countless hours immersed in JA2. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I know a thing or two about playing Jagged Alliance. I even played JA2 just last year and often daydreamed about a third GAME. Little did I know that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it even on the easiest level with Forgiving mode (whatever that's supposed to mean)!
The game's economy is completely broken, and the balance prevents any enjoyment, with a few save/load attempts per level as it use to be. It's frustrating how much time it takes to win a single battle (when it's possible to win!) with constant save/loading, and that's on Easy mode!
Where are the shops? Why simplify things to the point where hovering over a table suggests buying a specific weapon? What happened to the intricate economy that made JA2 so popular? That was half the fun, including arranging gear for the mercenaries. Okay, so you got rid of night vision and earpieces, but what about weight? Feeling the weight was part of the immersion. There's also no fatigue indicator. If you burden a mercenary too much, they tire quickly and can't move that was the deal!
In JA2, you had the option to recruit 1-2 sharpshooters, equip them with good guns, and conquer 10-20% of the map, securing a mine and starting to earn money to build a larger team. But here, that strategy doesn't work. The first mine only produces $2,600 per day, which isn't even enough to cover the salaries of 2-3 mid-range mercenaries. Before, you could fight, acquire more guns, trade, buy ammo, upgrade weapons, and win more battles. But in this game, it's impossible because there's no ammo. Maybe you're a pro who can defeat 10-12 enemies armed with RPGs and machine guns using only 9mm pistols and short-range MP5s, but I can't, and quite frankly, I shouldn't have to. It should be enjoyable, not painful.
Furthermore, I even attempted to play it Commandos style, trying to lure enemies and take them down with knives or suppressed weapons. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. The enemy AI in this game is surprisingly good. They stick together in groups, with only a few straying from the pack. Once they catch a glimpse or hear an attack, they all converge like a swarm of 10-12 heavily armed mercenaries against my humble team of 2-3 starters with no armor and inadequate weapons. To make matters worse, there is no ammunition available for better weapons like sniper rifles or machine guns.
Alright, I managed to find a couple of Gewehr rifles and added suppressors, but why can't I buy or craft ammo for them? And no, it doesn't drop from snipers either (I rarely come across another loaded rifle on a dead body).
One thing I did like about the game is the new engine and graphics. You kept the ability to destroy the environment and added some special effects. Visually, the game is outstanding. Admittedly, it was a bit challenging to learn the new interface, but it's manageable and you eventually get used to it.
However, the issues mentioned above make it impossible for me to develop any affection for this game even keep playing it.
