Strike Fleet
Encyclopedia
Strike Fleet is a 1987
computer game developed
by Lucasfilm Games and published by Electronic Arts
. It was released for the Amiga
, Apple II, Atari ST
, Commodore 64
, and DOS
. Strike Fleet is the unofficial sequel to the war game PHM: Pegasus.
The player controls either the American
or British
Fleets
over the course of ten scenarios, of which the last four can be played as a single campaign. The player must fight against the navy and air force
of various other nations including Argentina
, the Soviet Union
, and Iran
.
as part of a routine patrol. Defend yourself and all neutral shipping in the Gulf, but do not fire unless attacked first. You may encounter friendly and enemy ships as well as aircraft. You must tread the thin line between provocation and overcaution, and decide what actions to take, if any.
on the Falkland Islands
, when they detected, and were fired upon, by the Argentine sub San Luis
. Neither side acknowledged a hit that day. Now it’s your turn to relive the situation. Your mission is to search for, and destroy, Argentine
submarines that may be in the area.
i tankers through the dangerous Persian Gulf, and out to the Arabian Sea
while watching for possible air and sea attacks. Do not fire unless fired upon. Be certain your targets are truly foes, and be particularly alert in the Strait of Hormuz
. Make full speed to remove the oil tankers from danger as soon as possible.
before they
escape through the Greenland
-Iceland
-U.K.
gap. You’ll meet your objective if you sink enough of their ships and subs to seriously cripple their forces. Two Orion search planes, operating out of Iceland, will provide sub hunting support to your fleet.
Our satellites have spotted a large surface fleet just northeast of your position, and the SOSUS line hears approximately a dozen various Soviet nuclear attack subs racing at high speed for the gap between Greenland and Iceland. Split your forces as you see fit, but stop those ships and subs! Our satellites also show pictures of Backfire bombers loading up at their home bases -watch-out for those long-range Kingfish missiles.
Scenarios 7 - 10 may be played individually or as part of a four scenario campaign
supply ships and Ropucha
troop carriers.
Scenarios 11 and 12 are bonus missions included in the PC version of the game
Enemy: Soviet surface air and submarine forces.
Comments: Keep a cool head and move quickly. Use AA missiles wisely.
Enemy: Iranian surface and air forces
Comments: The enemy forces are small but can hit hard. You have weapons free. Fire when ready.
described the game as a marked improvement over PHM: Pegasus due to the added excitement and variety, while still maintaining the graphics and historical accuracy of that game. Minor complaints were directed at some UI decisions regarding the bridge interface and weapons systems.
The game was reviewed in 1988 in Dragon
#134 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.
1987 in video gaming
-Notable releases:* January 14, Nintendo releases Zelda II: The Adventure of Link in January for the Famicom Disk System in Japan only. The game would go unreleased in America for nearly two years afterwards.* February 20, Konami releases Contra...
computer game developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
by Lucasfilm Games and published by Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
. It was released for the Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, Apple II, Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
, Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, and DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
. Strike Fleet is the unofficial sequel to the war game PHM: Pegasus.
The player controls either the American
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
or British
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Fleets
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
over the course of ten scenarios, of which the last four can be played as a single campaign. The player must fight against the navy and air force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
of various other nations including Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, and Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.
1. Stark Realities
As the Captain of a U.S. frigate, your ship is stationed in the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
as part of a routine patrol. Defend yourself and all neutral shipping in the Gulf, but do not fire unless attacked first. You may encounter friendly and enemy ships as well as aircraft. You must tread the thin line between provocation and overcaution, and decide what actions to take, if any.
2. The Enemy Below
On May 1, 1982, two British frigates were providing ASW coverage for their forces near Port StanleyStanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital and only true cityin the Falkland Islands. It is located on the isle of East Falkland, on a north-facing slope in one of the wettest parts of the islands. At the 2006 census, the city had a population of 2,115...
on the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
, when they detected, and were fired upon, by the Argentine sub San Luis
ARA San Luis
The ARA San Luis is a Type 209 diesel-powered submarine of the Argentine Navy. Built in Germany, San Luis has a displacement of 1,285 tonnes and was introduced to the ARA in 1978. She was struck in 1997 after an incomplete overhaul.- History :...
. Neither side acknowledged a hit that day. Now it’s your turn to relive the situation. Your mission is to search for, and destroy, Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
submarines that may be in the area.
3. The Road to Kuwait
Now, with a larger, more powerful task force, you must escort three reflagged KuwaitKuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
i tankers through the dangerous Persian Gulf, and out to the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
while watching for possible air and sea attacks. Do not fire unless fired upon. Be certain your targets are truly foes, and be particularly alert in the Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically important waterway between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf. On the north coast is Iran and on the south coast is the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman....
. Make full speed to remove the oil tankers from danger as soon as possible.
4. Falklands Defense
Britain is battling it out with Argentina for control of the Falklands. Argentina has an attack squadron fueled and ready for launch from their carrier - weather conditions are the only thing that hampers their progress. Your mission is to engage and take out Argentine task group 79.4 - composed of three frigates - which is supporting the main attack force.5. Dire Straits
You are escorting a small convoy of empty oil tankers into the Persian Gulf, when you find your task force confronted by speedboats armed with guns and grenades. Repeated warnings go unheeded, and if you don’t take action, your task force will be surrounded. Get those tankers safely through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf. You have weapons-free clearance - neutralize any and all opposition. Good luck, Commander.6. Atlantic Cork
Welcome to World War III. Bottle up the Soviet fleet in the Norwegian SeaNorwegian Sea
The Norwegian Sea is a marginal sea in the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Norway. It is located between the North Sea and the Greenland Sea and adjoins the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Barents Sea to the northeast. In the southwest, it is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a...
before they
escape through the Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
-Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
-U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
gap. You’ll meet your objective if you sink enough of their ships and subs to seriously cripple their forces. Two Orion search planes, operating out of Iceland, will provide sub hunting support to your fleet.
Our satellites have spotted a large surface fleet just northeast of your position, and the SOSUS line hears approximately a dozen various Soviet nuclear attack subs racing at high speed for the gap between Greenland and Iceland. Split your forces as you see fit, but stop those ships and subs! Our satellites also show pictures of Backfire bombers loading up at their home bases -watch-out for those long-range Kingfish missiles.
Scenarios 7 - 10 may be played individually or as part of a four scenario campaign
7. Surprise Invasion
A Soviet invasion fleet is heading for Trondheim, Norway and your small task force is all that stands between them and it. With some sharp strategy, quick reactions, and some luck, you’ll complete your objective by sinking their PolnochnyPolnocny class landing ship
The Polnocny -class ships are amphibious warfare vessels. They were designed in Poland, in cooperation with the Soviet Navy and were built in Poland between 1967 and 2002. They now serve in several different navies, and some have been converted to civilian use...
supply ships and Ropucha
Ropucha class landing ship
The Ropucha , or Project 775 class landing ships are classified in the Russian Navy as "large landing craft" . They were built in Poland in the Stocznia Północna shipyards, in Gdansk. They are designed for beach landings and can carry a 450 ton cargo...
troop carriers.
8. Escape to New York
You command a small task force whose objective is to make a fast transit to the U.S. east coast. Soviet subs, cruisers, and bombers stand in your way. The submarine threat is particularly strong in this scenario.9. Wolfpack
Your objective is to escort a convoy of reinforcements to a U.S. base in Iceland. Get your task force to within a few dozen miles of the Iceland coast to complete your objective. You can probably expect fierce attacks from a large Soviet surface fleet that our satellites have spotted just west of your position at the start of the scenario.10. Mopping Up
The end of the war is in sight, and we have done well for ourselves. But the Soviets may yet win if we allow them to get their ships and subs back to their northern bases for more fuel and supplies. Search out all Soviet submarines and ships that will be heading north or northeast. Your objective is to prevent the enemy from reaching home - use extreme prejudice.Scenarios 11 and 12 are bonus missions included in the PC version of the game
11. Bunker Hill Blues
Mission: Defender your ship. Destroy all hostile forcesEnemy: Soviet surface air and submarine forces.
Comments: Keep a cool head and move quickly. Use AA missiles wisely.
12. One for the Gipper
Mission: Destroy at least two enemy oil platforms and one frigate then survive undammaged until end of day.Enemy: Iranian surface and air forces
Comments: The enemy forces are small but can hit hard. You have weapons free. Fire when ready.
Reception
A review in Computer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
described the game as a marked improvement over PHM: Pegasus due to the added excitement and variety, while still maintaining the graphics and historical accuracy of that game. Minor complaints were directed at some UI decisions regarding the bridge interface and weapons systems.
The game was reviewed in 1988 in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#134 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 5 out of 5 stars.