Atlantic Fleet is a World War II naval warfare simulation that puts players in command of the Allied or Axis forces during the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic. Developed by Killerfish Games, this title offers a deep strategic experience where players manage entire fleets, engage in tactical real-time combat, and guide their forces through a dynamic campaign. Users would want Atlantic Fleet for its authentic historical setting, complex decision-making, and the sheer power of controlling legendary warships like the Bismarck and HMS Hood in intense naval clashes. The core appeal of Atlantic Fleet lies in its blend of overarching strategy and moment-to-moment tactical execution.
Commanding Historical Fleets in Battle
In Atlantic Fleet, players take control of either the Allied or Axis navies, selecting specific vessels from a historically accurate roster to form a battle group. Before combat, players position their ships on a strategic map, considering factors like weather and visibility. Once a battle begins, control shifts to a real-time tactical interface. Players directly command each ship, inputting specific commands for movement, selecting ammunition types for their guns, and choosing targets. The progression here is about mastering the unique handling and firepower of each vessel, from nimble destroyers to formidable battleships. Successfully sinking enemy ships and completing objectives rewards players with renown, which is used to repair and upgrade their fleet for future engagements in the Atlantic Fleet campaign.
Executing Tactical Submarine Warfare
The submarine component of Atlantic Fleet provides a distinct and tense gameplay style. Players command U-boats or Allied submarines, primarily from a first-person periscope view. The primary actions involve silently maneuvering into an attack position, carefully raising the periscope to identify and track enemy convoys, and calculating the ideal firing solution for torpedoes. Players must manage their boat’s battery life, oxygen levels, and depth while avoiding enemy destroyers that will aggressively depth charge upon detection. A successful torpedo strike is highly rewarding, crippling enemy supply lines. This cat-and-mouse gameplay is a critical pillar of the overall strategy in Atlantic Fleet, directly impacting the campaign's outcome.
Navigating the Dynamic Campaign
The heart of Atlantic Fleet is its dynamic campaign, which functions as a strategic meta-game. Players oversee the entire naval theater, moving task forces and convoys across a map of the Atlantic Ocean. The core loop involves planning routes for your valuable supply convoys while simultaneously hunting for enemy fleets with your combat groups. Players interact by selecting units and plotting their course, triggering real-time battles when opposing forces meet. Each battle’s result directly affects the strategic situation, damaging your fleet and potentially cutting off vital supplies. Progression is measured by achieving major strategic objectives, like sinking a specific flagship, which requires careful long-term planning and resource management within Atlantic Fleet.
Engaging in Custom Single Battles
For focused action, Atlantic Fleet offers a robust single battle mode. This feature allows players to craft their own naval encounters outside the main campaign. Users start by choosing a historical timeframe, which determines the available ships. They then select a map and weather conditions before picking their fleet and the AI opponent’s fleet from the tech tree. Players can recreate famous historical clashes or experiment with hypothetical "what-if" scenarios. This mode serves as a perfect practice ground to test new tactics, learn the strengths and weaknesses of different warships, and simply enjoy the core tactical combat that defines the Atlantic Fleet experience without any campaign pressure.
Utilizing the Scenario Editor
Atlantic Fleet includes a powerful scenario editor that extends Atlantic Fleet’s replayability. This tool allows players to become a naval battle architect. Users begin with a blank slate or a pre-existing scenario and can modify nearly every element. Actions include placing ships and setting their initial waypoints, defining victory conditions, and adjusting environmental factors like time of day and fog. The editor’s workflow is intuitive: select an object from a menu, place it on the map, and then edit its properties. The result is a completely customized battle that can be saved and played immediately, shared, or used as a challenging puzzle to solve. This creative freedom is a key feature for dedicated fans of Atlantic Fleet.
Experiencing Local Hotseat Multiplayer
Atlantic Fleet supports a local hotseat multiplayer mode, allowing two players to compete on a single device. This mode is available for both single battles and the full dynamic campaign. Players take turns executing their moves on the strategic map. When fleets engage, Atlantic Fleet transitions to the tactical battle screen where one player commands their fleet. After issuing all their orders for a turn, they pass the device to their opponent, who then commands their own ships. This creates a tense and social strategic experience, as each player must outthink a human adversary. It transforms Atlantic Fleet into a shared, competitive board game-like experience.
Key Features
Command historically accurate warships and submarines from the Allied and Axis navies.
Engage in tactical, real-time naval combat with direct control over weaponry and movement.
Guide your forces through a dynamic strategic campaign that reacts to your victories and defeats.
Experience tense submarine warfare from a first-person periscope perspective.
Create and share custom battles with the integrated scenario editor.
Challenge a friend in local hotseat multiplayer for both single battles and the full campaign.
