[Dogfish40]

Love the chat. There is one answer that I keep in mind when I boot up SH5, 3 or 4.
One, that as a game, it's a different kind of game. I have to remember all the time that this is a simulation. Granted, it's botched out of the box, but if you compare the amount of data that most arcade style games process with a simulation type I think you'll find that this is a much larger enterprise. With an arcade style, I have my favorites but I'll pull "Brothers in arms, hells highway" for instance, you have a pre-defined path to go along with your mission. You cannot sway from this path. Win or lose and it's that simple. I'm going to shorten this... With the simulation, you have basically a world map, or one that is huge. With any number of outcomes and scenarios. You can play a good modded game with just a few of the "go-to" mods that change important features or tools like the User Interface. The stock graphics are not that bad, but one or two good graphics mods and that improves dramatically.
I play the stock missions and I have a blast with that for now.
Point is, we get tangled up in everything that's going on with new improvements to the game/sim but it's really up to ourselves how deep we want to go with these before we say, I'm ready to play.
I took the other approach too. I became interested in the modding to a degree. I made it fun. Does this game (and the others) want to make me pull out what's left of my hair?? On occasion, yes.
Like the Gap suggested, maybe take a bit of a breather. But if you're like me I'll bet you can't stay away for too long. The sim does have a magic that compels me to play all the time. I hope you stay as I hate to see anyone go away before the magic happens.
Cheers mate.
und Gute Jagd
D40