So what is it? As the name suggests, it is a strategy game set in an ocean where you have to attack, defend and command a military force. This includes, helicopters, ships and what not. There are a lot of military hardware at your disposal through the game and the developers have made sure that they stay true to their original models.

The game is set in 2030, where the resources are getting depleted and the Arctic Ocean becomes a battleground for control of power. You are allowed to play as Russia and NATO in the campaign and the game length is quite meaty, and it has actually resulted in some minor gripes which can be annoying to a lot of people.

The game does not allow you to save mid-game, and this is the worst boneheaded decision I have seen, like ever. Why? Because it takes ages to complete one mission considering it’s an RTS game, and replaying a mission again is not funny. Who wants to play the same thing again, after you concentrated so hard in your previous playthrough – not me, *bleep* that. Considering it takes a while to get used to the controls and command, I can’t believe the developers overlooked something like this.

The graphics are bland and there are a lot of jaggies, which is understandable. It’s not a big budget game; it’s a PC exclusive with old-school gameplay mechanics, although, I have to say the military units are perfectly designed. The UI design is not pleasant and it a sight for sore eyes but it works. New comers to the game will take a while to learn all the commands but the NATO campaign contains a tutorial which should make things easy for them.

It is difficult not to complain about things like graphics, because it is so in your eyes – all the bland textures and jaggies make playing the game very boring. But people who only care about satisfying gameplay will experience it in the game, especially in the later campaign levels when things get serious. It’s all about strategy and the way you use your units, for example, scouting is very beneficial but if you use a radar carelessly it will attract enemy missiles. The role of each units should be well defined to properly play the game otherwise you don’t really want to replay the mission again after spending 1 or 2 hours on it.

The AI is competent and will provide a good challenge later on in the campaign, and it is one of the redeeming things about the game. You have to play the missions in the order described and for a PC game, giving so many less options to the player is really disappointing. You can, however, fast forward time to speed up battles, which is a good thing.

Naval War: Arctic Circle has a lot of neat ideas wrapped up in a poor presentation and production values, but if you can somehow ignore that and I doubt it, the game will offer you some satisfying strategic gameplay. There are 23 missions available at your disposal and the ability to play as Russia and NATO, and it costs $15 on Steam. I think the game offers a good value for money, but as a gamer, if you have patience and can ignore the faults like poor graphics, then give it a go.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

Espen Thomassen Saeverud, Senior Graphics Programmer, explains how the naval war found a perfect match in Norwegian black metal: “We said to Demonaz that this is a game about massive steel ships fighting each other in the cold, dark Arctic. And Demonaz came right over to look at the project and he just couldn’t resist it. Fire, ice and steel. Epic confrontations between the greatest war machines ever built. The style, the music, the theme, it was all a perfect fit. That can only have one soundtrack, and that’s Demonaz’ unique metal soundtrack for Naval War: Arctic Circle.”

Paradox Interactive have released a demo for Naval War: Arctic Circle.

You can download the demo from Steam over here.

The demo for Naval War: Arctic Circle includes the NATO campaign with six tutorial missions and the two first missions, one skirmish map and one multiplayer map available for other demo players.

Naval War: Arctic Circle was released on April 10. It is published by Paradox Interactive and developed by Turbo Tape Games.

We are currently reviewing the game, so stay tuned with us.

Earlier video diaries established the setting for the game, told you about the navies you can command, and, most recently, dealt with how weather and the environment will affect your radar.

Naval War: Arctic Circle comes to you from Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games on April 10, 2012.

Stay tuned to GB for more news and updates.

The first video developer diary for Turbo Tape Games’ upcoming strategy game Naval War: Arctic Circle is now out. The development team shares their vision of a seamless ocean span where modern warships battle for control of precious natural resources.

Here’s some info on the game, as given by the devs:

In the near future, civilization is still reliant on petroleum, but the easily accessible land-based oil reserves are dwindling rapidly. The nations of the far north struggle to harness the rich untapped wells of the Arctic Circle and will go to war to guarantee control of the black gold.

Naval War: Arctic Circle gives you over 36,000,000 square kilometers (14,000,000 square miles) of seascape to navigate, from the Northwest Passage above Canada to the frozen islands of Russian Novaya Zemlya in the east. Listen to the development team explain how this wide geographic expanse guarantees infinite replayability as you take sides in war that is all too easy to imagine.

Naval War: Arctic Circle is set to release in Q2 2012.

Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games have today revealed details of their limited closed beta for Naval War: Arctic Circle, their forthcoming Real Time Strategy game releasing on PC in Q2 2012.

Apply for the closed beta here.

Opening today, applications are being accepted for a limited number of spaces until midday on Friday October 28th.

If you are selected for a place in the closed beta, you will receive a confirmation e-mail on Monday November 7th.

Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games today have released a teaser trailer for their upcoming maritime RTS Naval War: Arctic Circle, a naval strategy title expected to be released in Q2 2012.

Take a look and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.