Sea Power is THE game if you’re a fan of naval warfare in a post-WWII setting. Its focus on the 1950s through to the 2000s is expanded into the 2040s, with a degree of realism, by the passionate modding community the game has cultivated. Scenarios range from small convoy escort and anti-submarine operations to major fleet conflicts and persistent campaigns. There’s enormous variety and replay value here, especially once you start exploring the Workshop.
Let’s touch on the big picture. The developers at Triassic Games are some of the most passionate and driven people left in the industry, and they’re clearly invested in this title and its audience. Meanwhile, MicroProse is, in my opinion, one of the few genuinely respectable and honourable publishers around.
Since the Early Access launch, both the developers and publisher have shown a willingness to engage with players, listen to feedback, and communicate meaningfully. I was in their Discord in the early days and saw staff talking directly with players about bugs, design ideas, game systems, and more. On more than one occasion, I saw patches go out within hours of players raising issues, including the early memory leak problem. If you care about supporting companies that see you as more than a sales figure, this game—and the community around it—is worth your attention.
The game itself is a masterclass in design and Early Access development. Meaningful additions, from mission saving to the recent campaign features and the upcoming Falklands content, give me confidence that the developers remain committed to the project. Add Workshop integration and what, from my limited perspective, appears to be strong support for modders, and you have a living community helping shape the game alongside its creators.
My performance complaints relate to how I play: absurd mod loads and, at times, hundreds of thousands of missiles in the air. For context, my rig has a Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 126 GB of DDR5 RAM, and an RTX 4090, so it’s very much at the top end. Even that setup experiences simulation slowdowns and lag when I push these extreme scenarios far enough. I can’t say whether the bottleneck lies in the game, the Unity engine, or simply the ridiculous demands I’m placing on both.
I wouldn’t want anyone to mistake my hardware for a requirement, though. You shouldn’t need anything approaching this setup for normal scenarios or moderate mod loads. My performance complaints come from staging fleet battles large enough to bankrupt the world economy, so take them in that context.
The absence of built-in multiplayer is my one real disappointment, but I understand that given the project’s scope. The developers have always been clear about what the game is and what players can expect.
This is one of the few Early Access purchases in recent years that I haven’t regretted. I think the full asking price is more than fair for the value on offer. If you enjoyed Cold Waters, there’s a good chance you’ll love Sea Power. If you’re interested in Cold War or modern naval warfare, I think this is the best title around for balancing gameplay, realism, and entertainment—a combination that’s difficult to get right.
Thank you to both Triassic Games and MicroProse for treating players like valued customers. Based on this experience, I’d seriously consider buying another title from either company. MicroProse’s name has become a mark of quality for me.
10/10. Love blowing up whales with torps and watching F-14s pull 90° climbs at Mach ♥♥♥♥.
