We're going to Defcon 1

I have to give Sonalysts (the developer under EA's Jane's publishing license) credit for having the guts to tackle this genre. Naval combat games are few and far between, especially those dealing with modern ships, and that goes double for fleet surface combat. I mean, first of all, there is the incredible complexity of the fighting itself - launching fighters, bombers and scouts, then ordering maneuvers, missile attacks and defensive measures. This is far more than what occurs in a World War II naval battle.

The opening screen

Losing an Aegis Cruiser sucks

The end result is an extremely fast battle of attrition, where the first side to get a good hit in wins. Take a situation with two fairly equal carrier groups. USS Nimitz vs. the French Navy's pride and joy, the Charles de Gaulle. F-14 and F/A-18 fighters go head to head with Rafale Ms and Mirages. The cruisers, destroyers and frigates fire missiles at each other, at the aircraft and if they get in range, at the carrier itself. The fighters go off blasting AAMs and ASMs at an insane rate. The moment any side gains an advantage, with a clear shot at the carrier, every available ASM and SSM is launched.

Nimitz class carrier head on

a dangerous Su-33

Or, a Rafale M might get lucky with a fluke Exocet shot that rips open the Nimitz's deck like a can of sardines, and suddenly the US Navy is in full retreat, not being able to resupply and replace aircraft. As every naval grognard knows, ships are nothing more than big targets to air power. It might take a few extra missiles than a tank or bomber, but it's still just a big old target. Without the ability to maintain a sustained defense against a French combined air and naval assault, the USN must fall back - and perhaps hope that they might get a lucky shot at the de Gaulle and even things up.