Casual gamers have often stereotyped real-time strategy games as overly complex. However, this perception quickly changes for anyone who actually plays them, as many of these games are easy to learn but difficult to master. Yet, with the upcoming release of Sea Power, one might begin to wonder if this stereotype is finally gaining some validity. The game blends traditional RTS mechanics with a full-scale naval combat simulation, and I don’t make that claim lightly. Players have full real-time control over naval units, from iconic flagships to nuclear-powered submarines. Making it one of the most authentic RTS in recent memory.
Simulation games have always been a hard genre for developers to tackle due to multiple reasons. Ranging from overly complex mechanics to a very nitpicky audience. But once a simulation game manages to find the right balance between realism and player enjoyment, is when it succeeds. A balance that the developers of Sea Power, Triassic Games AB have achieved, but in a very unorthodox way. By that, I mean instead of just sticking the player in a command room and having them issue orders over the radio. Players can directly command and control units while executing tactical manoeuvres. Expertly merging the genres of simulation and RTS, both in theory and execution.
Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age (to give it the full title treatment) also sets itself apart from other war games like WARNO and Steel Division. Not only by its setting but also by the level of control the player has on the units and the level of immersion. You can individually command the submarines to go at a specific speed and depth to execute historical combat manoeuvres. Such as using weaker submarines to bait the enemy, into the range of your more powerful ones. You can also take control of the individual ariel units stationed at your aircraft carriers and use them to do bombing runs and strategical strikes.
But the most immersive units in the game are the ships, this is due to the level of detail the developers have put into them. You can see the guns on the ships being reloaded and even see how aircraft carriers launch and store aircraft. It also has a map that is updated in real-time, the accuracy of which depends on the units you have currently deployed. For example, a submarine with advanced sonar capabilities will allow you to better detect threats. However, sonar comes with a risk, as enemy forces can also pick up your signals.
Now while the game is coming out in early access sometime in November 2024. The developer build is already in the hands of some players and from it, we can see that the game is mostly feature-complete and highly stable. But one thing that might become a concern for many players is the lack of tutorials. Which are promised to be in the early access release. This is because the game has a lot of complex terminologies and even mechanics that will require an in-depth tutorial. Despite this, Sea Power is shaping up to offer a truly unique RTS experience that any fan of the genre should try at least once.
Sea Power is due to release ‘some time’ in November. You can Wishlist it on Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286220/Sea_Power__Naval_Combat_in_the_Missile_Age/
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