In the 80s and 90s "Strategic Simulation Inc." was perhaps the biggest name in the pc strategy genre. A large reason for this was that they had great game designers and programmers onboard. One such name was Gary Grigsby. He left a huge mark on the industry by developing such SSI classics as "Kampfgruppe", "Western Front", "Second Front", "War In Russia" and "Pacific War". In 1992 he made "Carrier Strike" which plays more like a spin-off of Pacific War even though it was released before the latter. While Pacific War encompasses the entire War in the Pacific (as the name implies), Carrier Strike focuses only on USN and IJN carrier operations in the theatre. Battles such as Coral Sea, Midway and the Marianas are depicted and due to the game having a very nice randomization feature, you are ensured not to play the same battle twice. The game can in fact generate an infinite number of battles. You can also play them as a larger campaign, linking different naval battles together into a continuous struggle.

Carrier Strike demands attention to details, as in addition to planning and executing your overall operations you must also manage the flight decks of your carriers. This means to arm, refuel, and organize workflow on the carrier deck. You will plan and launch air strikes, direct air searches and combat air patrols, as well as to ensure your planes can get back home safely and land. You also have control of surface combat Task Forces and some land based aircraft. There is a great element of surprise in this game and its excitement surpasses many newer wargames. You really have to keep track of your enemy with airborne search planes. It is a far way from today's radar and satellite dependent battles. No wonder the game got a lot of praise in magazines of the time. Computer Gaming World did a review of both the game and the later "Expansion Pack", and they also produced two large "Campaign Replay" articles. I have assembled these into PDF files, all available below.

I really like Carrier Strike, and so I wanted to give it a fresh coat of pixel paint. If any criticism is to be given, it is that the default game (just like Pacific War) is a little rough graphic-wise. It is understandable as it is obvious Grigsby and the team focused on good gameplay first and foremost. But the game certainly benefits from a little love. I have done quite a few updates here. All game screens have been given an overhaul in some way, as have icons and symbols, planes, ships, airfields, clouds, the map tiles (both zoom levels). I have made a configurator batch file (CONFIG.BAT) which you can use to switch between the mod and the default graphics. You can also read the manual or launch the game. As a tribute to the game and its subject matter, I also adapted a new title screen from a fine painting by Anthony Saunders called "Midway - The Attack on Soryu". This pack contains the full game (CD-ROM version 1.1) installed and mod applied. Enjoy the new look!

Carrier Strike - Visual Upgrade 1.0

Carrier Strike - Manual
Carrier Strike - Expansion Pack
Carrier Strike - Tools by Rich Dionne

Computer Gaming World articles:

Carrier Strike - Original Game Review
Carrier Strike - Expansion Pack Review
Carrier Strike - Campaign Replay Part 1
Carrier Strike - Campaign Replay Part 2

This SSI advert page could be
found in Computer Gaming World
magazine at the time.