Don't confuse these critiques with criticisms. This is one of the best games I have played in years. While the graphics are not on par with some of the better FPS games this is still a solid game. The story line is a little lame but the game play is great once you master the tactics. I love the ship and fleet actions. You can play the same mission 100 times and you are never guaranteed the same outcome. Your actions and tactics are never the same therefore the outcome of the mission is never the same. The golden BB to your engine at the wrong time will make you crazy. The airplane and sub missions can be difficult as the same control often is used for more than one action. This is especially true during combat when you are trying to fire the guns and steer. The sub missions are made overly hard by the difficult to read dive plane indicator. Defending against air attack is a realistic nightmare. WOW! It's like watching old WWII footage. Wave after wave of enemy aircraft stacked up for attack on your ships. Your ship AAA and AA are surprisingly realistic. Trying to hit a small fast moving object at long range with a 2 inch bullet or explosive shell is not easy. Overall the graphics are really good. The explosions and crisp images are a pleasure. The sound is clear and life like. The action is fun and intense.
Just try to engage enemy capital ships while fending off those pesky fast tin cans and their swarms of torpedoes. You MUST manage the Damage Control Parties (DCP) or you will not last long. (Fire aboard a ship which carries high explosives is not a good thing...) Swapping broadsides with enemy Battleships is literally a blast. Holy Molly! Watch what happens to a Destroyer when you have it bracketed with 12 (16 inch) guns. You will feel sorry for the enemy when it happens and desperate to get the hell away when you are on the receiving end. The sight of an enemy ship slipping under the water after an engagement is also realistic. Thank goodness the designers decided not to have sailors abandoning ship and adrift at the mercy of the ocean.
I've gone on enough. Buy this game and you won't be sorry. Suitable for all ages.