Old Gamers Never Die: Break Out the Broom: A Clean Sweep in ‘Sea Power’

Break Out the Broom: A Clean Sweep in Sea Power

Well, so much for easing gently into Sea Power’s new Falklands campaign.

My first outing aboard HMS Conqueror ended with ARA General Belgrano and both of the Argentine cruiser’s escorts on the bottom, Conqueror safely away, and the game informing me:

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Clean sweep.

Break out the broom, hoist the Jolly Roger, and somebody see if there’s a ration of rum aboard.

The scenario recreates one of the most famous naval episodes of the Falklands War, with Conqueror stalking the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano, the former USS Phoenix, and the destroyers escorting the cruiser.

My first priority was Belgrano.

There was a practical reason for that. In the scenario, the cruiser isn’t necessarily going to sit politely in the middle of the formation while Conqueror works through the escorts. In theory, Belgrano can increase speed and try to escape while the destroyers go looking for the submarine.

That would be inconvenient.

So I attacked the cruiser first.

The torpedo struck home, producing one of those spectacular Sea Power moments in which a towering column of water briefly makes it difficult to tell exactly what has happened. A closer view afterward left considerably less doubt. Belgrano had suffered severe damage.

Then the message appeared:

PRIMARY TARGET SUNK.

At that point, the game offered me a choice. I could withdraw to the designated area and complete the mission, or I could remain on station and destroy both remaining escorts.

Now, technically speaking, this was an important tactical decision.

Practically speaking, however, I noticed the word “or.”

So Conqueror stayed.

The escorts, predictably enough, were not terribly pleased about what had just happened to the ship they were supposed to be protecting. But with Belgrano already eliminated, I could concentrate on the destroyers without worrying about the primary target making a run for it while I dealt with the counterattack.

One by one, the escorts went down.

And then came the screen every Sea Power player likes to see:

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

“Victory! General Belgrano and both escorts have been sunk. Excellent work, Commander.”

All objectives completed.

HMS Conqueror survived.

ARA General Belgrano sunk.

Both escorts sunk.

Somewhere in all of that is probably a sober lesson about submarines, patience, target prioritization, and the importance of eliminating the primary threat before becoming distracted by its escorts.

But honestly?

Sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment.

Clean sweep.

Break out the broom.

Hoist the Jolly Roger.

And issue the rum.

My exploration of the Falklands campaign has officially begun.