Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age

Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age
A burning warship launching a missile, two planes flying in the background, behind the ship. Prominent text reading "Sea Power" with subtitle "Naval Combat in the Missile Age".
DeveloperTriassic Games
PublisherMicroProse
EngineUnity
PlatformWindows
Release
  • November 12, 2024 (early access)
  • Late 2026 (full release)
GenresReal-time tactics, Simulation video game
ModeSingle-player

Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age or Sea Power is a tactical simulation video game developed by Triassic Games and published by MicroProse on November 12, 2024. The game allows players to command various air, land and sea units in historical and hypothetical engagements set during the Cold War.

Development

Development began in 2018, with developer Triassic Games intending to have a full release. However, feature creep and an overly-optimistic plan lead them to announce an early access approach.[1] One of the developers was also the former head developer of Killerfish Games' Cold Waters in 2017.[2] In 2020, MicroProse announced it would publish the game. While the company had closed in the early 2000s, it was revived in 2019. Sea Power was one of the first games announced by the rebooted MicroProse as part of a lineup of new military strategy games.[3]

Gameplay

Screenshot depicting an F-14 overflying an American carrier strike group.

The game is set in the Cold War between the 1960s and 1980s, mainly focusing on naval warfare between NATO and Warsaw Pact forces in the North Atlantic. Also included are scenarios based on the War of Attrition, Yom Kippur War, Vietnam War, Tanker War, Operation Praying Mantis and Bangladesh Liberation war.[4][5] The game features more than 200 units that depict various kinds of warships, transports, submarines, helicopters, aircraft, land units, and civilian traffic.[6] Included are several-never built units, such as the Project 1153 Orel aircraft carriers and the Strike Cruiser concept.[7] Players can give orders to fleets or directly control a unit, such as by selecting targets or activating a sensor.[8] Included is a scenario creator for custom missions and an in-game encyclopedia that contains information about each unit and weapon.[6] Missions are stand-alone or organized into linear campaigns; one campaign focuses on a fictional Soviet "Strike Group Molniya" and includes persistence between missions to keep track of damaged ships and remaining ammunition.[9]

The Pacific Strike '85 campaign follows Task Force 77.3 as it fights on the frontlines of a major war in the Pacific between a Sino-Soviet alliance and the US, Australia and Japan. Pacific Strike '85 also utilises Task Force Mode, allowing the player to purchase warships and aircraft for their task force. [10]

An Alaska-Class cruiser, based on the Strike Cruiser concept, launches a V-19 V/STOL ASW aircraft, based off the 'Type A' program. Both are included in Sea Power as an interesting 'what-if.'

According to the developers, the gameplay style is inspired by Janes's Fleet Command and Strike Fleet,[11] with the game described as a spiritual successor to Fleet Command.[12] A significant element of gameplay is overcoming fog of war by using various sensors to identify the enemy's units and location to engage at long range without attacking neutral civilians. While missions vary, combat can occur over large regions and multiple in-game days, with the player having the ability to compress time. In addition to a 3D game world, the player can process information using a 2D map.[13]

Reception

Sea Power had an early access release on 12 November 2024,[14] and was one of the best selling games on Steam that month.[15] The UK Defence Journal praised the game for being immersive and including small details, such as helicopters leaving hangers and being prepared for launch.[8] The Center for International Maritime Security described the game as being a useful wargaming tool that could keep the attention of midshipmen.[16] In May 2026, 90% of Steam reviewers were positive.[17] Following the one-year anniversary of the game's release, Triassic Games published a roadmap promising a dynamic campaign and a full release in late 2026.[18]

References

  1. ↑ SlitherineGames (2025-10-31). The Hot Seat - Martin Leidel Interview | Co-Founder of Triassic Games and Lead Developer. Retrieved 2026-05-20 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Sea Power". MicroProse. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  3. ↑ Mikhailova, Veronika (2020-05-06). "MicroProse is back with three new titles". Game World Observer. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  4. ↑ "Dev Updates".
  5. ↑ "Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  6. 1 2 "Sea Power: Naval Combat In The Missile Age – First Impressions". Strategy and Wargaming. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  7. ↑ Xavier, Walter (2025-09-27). "The 8 Best Naval Combat Games". GameLuster. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  8. 1 2 Allison, George (2024-11-08). "A preview of 'Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age'". Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  9. ↑ "Sea Power Update v0.7.0 Adds New Campaign, Improved Graphics, and Plenty More - Simulation Daily". 2026-02-24. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  10. ↑ "Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age - Sea Power Update 0.8.0 Out Now – Pacific Strike '85 and Task Force Mode - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. 2026-07-04. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
  11. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions :: Sea Power General Discussions". steamcommunity.com. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  12. ↑ "Sea Power to RTS o trzeciej wojnie światowej na morzu | GRYOnline.pl". GRY-Online.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  13. ↑ "Hands on with Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age". Stormbirds. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  14. ↑ "Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age". IGN. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  15. ↑ Duncan, Anna (2025-01-01). "Steam Top Releases in November 2024". GameGrin. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  16. ↑ "Wargaming the Future: A Year in Review of Wargaming at USC | Center for International Maritime Security". 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
  17. ↑ "Sea Power · Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age Price history". SteamDB. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
  18. ↑ Nelva, Giuseppe (2025-11-15). "Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age Gets New Early Access Roadmap up to Q3 2026 Full Release". Simulation Daily. Retrieved 2026-05-20.
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