Unable to Launch | Stuck in Menu

[Trouthy]

Hi all,

Hoping someone can assist. I've just downloaded the game on steam but it seems to be stuck in the menu screen, nothing is happening when I launch.

Could someone explain in laymans what I should be checking?

I've pasted some specs below if required.

Operating System: Windows 11
Processor 11th gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz (16CPUs)
Memory: 16GB
DirectX Version: DirectX 12

Loved this game so am very excited to get this functional.

Many thanks,
Cam

[QWEEDDY2]

Legacy DirectX to install.
Legacy DirectX DirectPlay (Dplay) to enable in Windows Control Panel Fdatures on/off.

Ddraw Compat 3.0.1 by Narzoul. Strickly NO compatibilities. Except experiment with Disable fullscreen optimization, DPI scaling by app and Run As admin.

Use Windows/cmd.exe to entirely disable Windows DEP service by something looks like bcedit nx/off command (lurk exact steps online).

At least for install, validation and at least for first launch start steam.exe as Admin and use direct launch from Library (to get Run as Admin onto game).
In case if Steam and/or games installed to system drive storage or you not want to bother dealing with/without Admin launches - set steam.exe to be permanently launched as Admin.


And never ever use desktop links. They become obsolete after that Steam-Egs-etc clients, they never (never since 2003!) work properly for Steam specifically.

[QWEEDDY2]

Sst in video driver and every else where available Keep Aspect ratio (+integer scaling and enforcing by system ✅ if there is such).

If you chose another Ddraw/d3d wrapper or Narzoul's 4.0.1.+ - they have or possible have ini settings to set. At least Keep ration should be on.
Turn in video driver every else where possible incl display OSD menu or app any Vsync/Gsync/*-sync and display enhancements or pseudo-gaming modes. To limit FPS use video driver or 3rd party tool RivaTuner RTSS (official one!). Or ini-file based wrappers if there is FPS limitation.

Add gaming folders to Defender exception. Depend on did you have 3rd party security services, Defender and where games located entire disabling probably needed. Better reinstall to /Games/ folder than time to time Admin run is enough as temlorar exclusion for Defender(Defender as well affected by this launch type).

[QWEEDDY2]

Uninstall MSI Afterburner.

Set in the game for start 640x480. Later trying 800x600. Main menu always 480p.
For such wrappers as DeGe Voodoo allowing to custom resolution (with Keep ratio!) keep game own resolution as 640x480.

59 hz must be set in such advanced wrappers as DeGe or Narzoul's ini-based. It is not the FPS and never related. Should be maximum possible. But unlikely your display support any else of 59 on 640x480 and 800x600 (resolution matter here).

Try first 24 FPS limit to set for this exe. Increase in experimental steps to 28, 58, 118. But not higher for sure. Reduce back in case of minor glitches or major issues.

Make sure NONE compatibilities are set. Ideally double check it in Windows Registry REGEDIT (not required for subj for Steam version, GOG did preset some hidden, Steam in theory can do that too at first launch).
None modes taeaks allow to deal with broken Legacy DirectX tweaks features of Windows modern, and EVERY alternate solutions require them to disable.

[QWEEDDY2]

Do not download or carefully download any "random" "fixes"* especially from Steam Community.
Go to Narzoul original Github page for source of all local links without incorrect files added.

GOG, ZOOM-Platform and then Steam got alternate v.1.2 updated patch unlike all local links having cr@cked 1.0 exe for Ms Windows OS + Win ME OS.
There is downgraded bugs in 1.0 and especially cr@ck.
(1.1 cr@ck not exist, 1.2 not needed it and have additional fixes, incl modern OS compatibility).
Original source of that archive clearly stated this archive are for Retail disc version (plus Narzoul dll, with him credits). I know, "i was there". "Was" before and after Digital release.

Hogs of War a rare case when original game and original patch correctly applied to Digital version before further and correctly implemented fixes. According to that and for Remake situation looks like UrbanScan are partially related to old real one devs and not random modern l@mo people. They knew what to do.
Alternate Software is (Re-) co-publisher with UrbanScan.

* V.1.2 got updated compatibility-reauirements from Ms Windows OS (aka Win9x) and Windows ME OS to Ms Windows NT OS. Which latest is Win7. Latest PC Win (not UWP). Latest backward compatible.

Yet, ideally it should be WinXP for older games.
In case of XP-7 need also DisableThemes, DisableDesktopTheme, DisableAero, DisableDWM tweaks only two available on exe properties. Win8+ still need that ideally to set, but not available anymore on exe properties. This ones also stay compatible with any tweaks-wrappers-mods.

[QWEEDDY2]

Modern Windows broke Legacy DirectX entirely up to D3D8. Nvidia broke it even further up to D3D9 and 10.
Steam Overlay increase the issues. Oberlay+Nvidia increase it.

Win+Nvidia+Steam or any Overlay make d3d9/10 start on integrated video chip (Intel+NV only issue).
But not this game. Flickering issue will happen on Nvidia chip. Anyway wrapper required and should fix that one issue as well.
Alternatively launch on Integrated (Intel+NV only) to further improvements of compatibility and stability.

Keep game Launcher set to Primary driver.

Whatever tweaks+wrappers and compatibility with Steam Overlay fixed. Turn off - killing process'es - any excessive background apps. Some of them use Overlays and Injectors even if that not visible on the screen.
Keep only Steam Overlay enabled.

NV Experience, MSI, Nahimic, A4Tech-LogiOptions-SteelSeries-Razer pseudo-drivers apps better to uninstall entirely. RivaTuner RTSS (official one!) are ok to keep. Discord and Xbox app overlay to close.