Old Gamers Never Die: Going in harm's way on fast ships, planes in 'Sea Power'

 

Hi, everyone.

I've been diving into Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age (Triassic Games/MicroProse) since its Early Access release last November. This captivating game transports you to the Cold War era, where you can command naval forces in both historical skirmishes and thrilling hypothetical scenarios reminiscent of Tom Clancy's and Larry Bond’s technothrillers.

Sea Power’s developers – including Nils Ducker, the artistic talent behind the visually stunning Cold Waters (Killerfish Games, 2017) – have drawn inspiration from several renowned naval warfare simulations, such as Fleet Command (aka Jane’s Fleet Command) and Command: Modern Air/Naval Operations. The influences are clear, and one dedicated modder even crafted a Jane’s Redux “mod” that revitalizes Fleet Command missions with Sea Power’s breathtaking visuals.

Now, it's essential to mention that Sea Power is still in Early Access, meaning it's a work in progress. The developers are actively updating and refining the game, ensuring it evolves with each patch and improvement. Despite being unfinished, it already competes for the title of my favorite game, alongside 2022’s Regiments.

With each update, Sea Power becomes more polished and immersive, making it an exciting title to watch as it heads toward full release.

A screenshot from a session of Hormuz I played earlier this month. 

Currently, Sea Power doesn’t offer players options such as a grand campaign or a Save/Load Game feature, although the folks at Triassic Games assure players that they are working on those features. For now, they’re laser-focused on squashing bugs, making sure aircraft don’t drift off into space, ensuring weapons systems pack a realistic punch, and nailing down even the tiniest details, like antennae on specific ship classes or the markings on aircraft.

So far, I’ve dived into a mix of the “official” missions in the base game—Dong Hoi, Hormuz, and Hormuz (Tarawa)—but the real thrill has come from tackling scenarios created by other passionate players (modders). I regularly find myself in the thick of it with missions like Desert Spear, Jane’s Redux, Bay of Pigs (NATO), and even a heart-pounding homage to Tom Clancy in Dance of the Vampires, a recreation of a pivotal chapter from 1986’s Red Storm Rising.

I try to keep my mission selection diverse, avoiding the constant NATO vs. Warsaw Pact theme to prevent burnout on the World War III vibe. Plus, the lack of a Save/Load Game feature means I have to strategize my gaming sessions carefully, as some scenarios can stretch over two to three hours, even with time compression. Each mission is a pulse-pounding adventure, and I eagerly await the next update to see what new thrills Sea Power will bring.