Old Gamers Never Die: My Thoughts on the ‘CVBG Norwegian Sea’ Scenario in ‘Sea Power’

I have been hooked on Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age since its Early Access release on Steam last month. This naval combat simulation plunges you into the high-stakes world of 20th-century maritime warfare, giving you the thrill of commanding forces from NATO, Warsaw Pact, and even regional powers like Iran, Israel, and Pakistan.

Developed by a team including one of the creators of Cold Waters and other members from the new studio Triassic Games, Sea Power seamlessly blends the gripping visuals of that iconic submarine simulator with the strategic depth found in classics like Jane’s Fleet Command, Harpoon, and Command Modern Naval/Air Operations.

Even in its Early Access phase, the game is already a masterpiece, with a grand campaign anticipated in Q2 2025. The developers have packed it with captivating content, including official scenarios and player-created mods via the versatile Mission Editor tool.

Since I got my hands on it on November 6, I’ve been completely captivated by four riveting scenarios: “Dong Hoi” from Triassic Games and three thrilling modded missions—”Shore Bombardment,” “Hair Trigger,” and “CVBG Norwegian Sea”—all part of the exhilarating “Jane’s Redux” mod, which breathes new life into missions from Jane’s Fleet Command with Sea Power’s cutting-edge features.

The scenario I’ve played most often is “CVBG Norwegian Sea.” Picture this: commanding a formidable carrier battlegroup centered around the majestic USS Nimitz and two Ticonderoga-class AEGIS cruisers off the breathtaking coast of Norway. It’s March 1, 1985, and NATO is locked in a fierce conflict with the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: intercept Soviet Tu-22M Backfire bombers before they unleash their devastating AS-4 Kitchen anti-ship missiles. And, as a secondary goal, take down a Tu-142 Bear J recon plane that’s coordinating the Backfires’ onslaught.

Though “CVBG Norwegian Sea” is rated with a humble one star (out of four) in difficulty, it’s anything but easy! This scenario masterfully combines high-stakes aerial operations—with the legendary F-14 Tomcats—and the formidable anti-air defense capabilities of the Nimitz battlegroup’s warships.

The main challenges in “CVBG Norwegian Sea” include:

– Maneuvering the two F-14s from VF-41 (the Black Aces), already airborne on Combat Air Patrol (CAP), to seek out and engage airborne threats.

– Launching additional F-14s from the Nimitz to reinforce the CAP and curtail the enemy’s ability to launch their lethal AS-4 Kitchen missiles at the carrier group.

– Carefully avoiding the shootdown of civilian airliners that wander perilously into the battle zone.

– Intercepting the deadly AS-4 Kitchen anti-ship missiles with the precision-guided SM-2 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from the Ticonderoga-class cruisers.

– Ensuring that all Soviet Backfires meet their demise before they can return to their bases in the Kola Peninsula (northern USSR).

While the mission objectives remain steadfast, each session of “CVBG Norwegian Sea” unfolds like a dynamic chess match, with no two plays being identical. This is thanks to the randomization of the locations of the civilian airliners and the unpredictable launch points of the Backfires’ AS-4s. I’ve had my fair share of mishaps, accidentally downing civilian jets because they were where I expected Tu-22Ms to be. And sometimes, the Backfires successfully launched their Kitchen missiles at my carrier while my CAP was momentarily distracted by an airliner.

Although the AEGIS system on the Ticonderoga-class cruisers is usually a reliable shield, intercepting AS-4s before they can strike the Nimitz, there are occasional “leakers.” One rogue AS-4 can’t sink a Nimitz-class carrier, but it can inflict severe damage and potentially sink a Ticonderoga-class CG. I usually end my mission without my carrier being hit, but I’ve seen my fair share of Costly Victory game results.

Even in its current work-in-progress state, Sea Power is shaping up to be an unparalleled masterpiece in the naval simulation genre. The game’s intricate balance of strategy, realistic naval warfare, and dynamic scenarios ensures that players are kept challenged and engaged. Each mission feels like a new and unique experience, requiring adaptability and tactical acumen from commanders. The attention to detail, from the capabilities of the warships to the behavior of the aircraft, is truly impressive and promises to deliver an immersive and rewarding experience for naval enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike.