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[deanolium]

Yeah, the manual's walkthrough isn't the best, though it does teach the basics of controlling the game. I'm only really a beginner, but the main point of the game is really a kind of hide and seek. The weapons are very effective and have a very large range, so the idea is to try and find the enemy ships before they find you. Once you find them, don't attack straight away, but use this information to try and formulate an attack plan where you can attack them as much as possible whilst they can't do the same to you. As long as you aren't giving yourself away then you have time to do this. Also in mission 2, as NATO you just need to get home - so don't worry about killing everything. Try and find them, but then use that to help sneak past them. Accept some losses as long as it helps you.

It is a hard game, but it's not just down to balance, it's down to figuring out what the best strategies are. Try and find what the pros and cons about both yours and the enemies ships are, and exploit. Unless you really need to, be very careful with sensors.

As far as balance goes, whilst the missions will be unbalanced, I don't think they're all so bad as to be unwinnable. Just some sides have an easier time. That said, it would be much better if they gave a value as to the balance. It is curiously fun though, even if you know you're going to lose.