Hi,
The game is playable. Do not lose hope. Here is the list of common errors and their solutions.
It can be annoying sometimes, BUT I have passed the entire game, all three campaigns, despite errors.
Here it goes.
1. Mission Failed
This error happens later in the game. It may have something to do with a lot of activity going on in the map/a lot of units being in the game - this happens when the game draws for a long time and you have large armies over the map.
Solutions:
a) Attempt to complete the campaigns faster! Do not turtle in your base with turrets for hours and play the attrition game. Play a faster game (which will be more enjoyable as well) - kill your opponents sooner and the game will be even more enjoyable. You will also avoid this error.
b) Save very often in different slots. Mission Failed bug PERSISTS even if you save before the crash (you will load the game and the Mission Failed bug will happen again). But if you save many different versions, then you will be able to load one that avoids the Mission Failed bug and continue the mission. Usually you can go back 2-5 minutes in the past, and it will be enough to avoid it.
2. Cannot build unit/Cannot build building
This error may be related to pathfinding.
Solutions:
a) Save the game and exit. Then run KKND2 again. The saved game will not be affected by this bug. This bug is fixed by exitting the game.
b) Fix possible pathfinding issues. After you load the game again, cancel your units on the building queue. Make space for units leaving buildings.
3. Crash (not responding - force close)
This error is a bit unpredictable but tends to happen either a) later in the game, or b) immediately when loading a mission.
Solutions:
a) Save often. If the game crashes you will have to start it again.
b) If the game crashes upon loading a mission, just load your campaign file by clicking "Single Player Game"... The campaign map does not have a save button, but this is because it is automatically saved every time you complete a mission.
4. Harvester Error
This error sometimes occurs after battles. Your harvesters will remain immobilized. You order them to get oil, but nothing happens. You order them to your refinery but the harvester does nothing.
Solutions:
a) Save the game and quit KKND2. Then start it again. Just like the Cannot Build Unit error, this error is fixed by restarting the game.
SUMMARY:
These errors are annoying, but you can complete the campaign by saving often, quitting the game when necessary, and completing the missions in a timely fashion and not letting the map get out of hand.
I have completed all 3 campaigns. Originally I had been disappointed after getting frequent Mission Failed errors every couple of minutes, or even within one minute. But then I realized I just had to complete the missions faster.
Does the game have bugs? Sure. But would I rather it not be available at all online? Absolutely not. I would very much prefer this to not being able to play this game at all. Finding it elsewhere online will be rather difficult.
Of course GOG has not mentioned the bugs when selling this game (maybe there should be a note on this so people don't feel scammed or something) - but if a proper note is added, then GOG has done a marvelous job on bringing a lot of these old games back.
Regards,
Ken