Build and Command Your Own Ships in “Naval Ops: Commander”

by Louis Bedigian

“With over 1,000 parts in all, there are more ship components than the original Warship Gunner.”

It’s amazing to think that KOEI has been around for 25 years.  Many of today’s gamers aren’t that old!  But the industry is finally maturing, and with that maturation comes the growth and evolution of the biggest and best game developers.

KOEI has really expanded their market in the U.S. with numerous Dynasty Warriors sequels and several additions to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.  Recently they added Crimson Sea to their lineup.  Soon they’ll release Samurai Warriors.  And before you know it, another Dynasty Warriors will be here!

Another hot title from KOEI is Naval Ops: Commander.  An unofficial sequel to Warship Gunner, Naval Ops: Commander is due this .  What does it have to offer?  What features can players look forward to?  And why is it an unofficial sequel?  To get those answers and more, we spoke with Jarik R. Sikat, Sales and Marketing Manager for KOEI.

Please start by introducing the Naval Ops series to our readers.  Tell us what it's all about.

Jarik R. Sikat: In a world hanging onto an unstable peace, the balance of power was evenly divided between the two largest nations, Navishia and Virshia. A sudden change shook the delicate military balance between the two countries to its very core. Without warning Virshia invaded its neighbors, pursuing a policy of aggressive territorial expansion. Pockets of resistance popped up around the world, but even Navishia, supposedly equal in strength to Virshia, was unable to stop the onslaught. Navishia’s own Mission Command, the heart of the resistance was destroyed.

The attacks were carried out by giant weapons, which appeared and then vanished into the seas, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Virshia had developed a fleet of colossal superships with technology far beyond anything modern science could comprehend.

With its Mission Command in ruins, Navishia’s frontline had crumbled. Having no central base of operations, the various ships of the Navishian Navy were left with no sense of direction in the ensuing war.

Players assume the role of a warship captain in the Navishian Navy.  Players can deploy ships of their own design, to stop the evil nation of Virshia from taking over the world. Accomplishing mission objectives gives the player funds that can be used to build more powerful ships. Each stage in the game is divided into two phases, Strategy and Battle.

Enhance ships like the one seen here.

Most strategy games are designed for the PC.  This one was designed exclusively for PlayStation 2.  How did change the way that you approached Naval Ops: Warship Gunner and Naval Ops: Commander's development?

 

JRS: KOEI has been developing and publishing console-based strategy and action games since the days of the Nintendo Entertainment System. So, in a sense, our approach hasn’t really changed. With engaging titles such as Naval Ops: Commander, Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX, P.TO. IV, and Dynasty Warriors, we’re constantly refining our expertise at creating and providing the most exciting content across different interactive entertainment platforms.

This game has two phases – strategy and battle.  What's involved and what must players do during these two phases?

 

JRS: During the Strategy phase, players are briefed on the impending battle. Based on mission objectives and known threats, players can upgrade and adapt their ship using a full spectrum of integrated weapon and defense systems, propulsion hardware and aircraft. At this stage, players can also invest in new technology, develop new weapons, purchase parts, or choose from over 100 combat-ready vessels based on actual ships from the United States, Japan, Great Britain, and Germany.

Naval Ops: Commander takes place in an alternate world.  That's a cool concept, but why not a direct sequel?  Why do a side-story instead of a continuation of the original?

JRS: Naval Ops: Commander is more of a spin-off rather than a direct sequel, which is why there is a different storyline. The game retains the Strategy and Battle phases that will become representative of the Naval Ops line of games. Naval Ops: Commander introduces several new developments to the line of games. Its new TBG (Tactical Battle Group) system gives players real-time control of a primary warship and the option of changing the attack formation of escort ships that provide anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and assault support.

An onslaught of attacks.

How are the ship components used to aid the player in battle and increase the enjoyment of the game?

JRS: There’s a full spectrum of parts- from WWII era hardware to futuristic weapons systems. There are more than 200 different weapons based on real world and fictional designs including anti-ship missiles, depth charges, machine guns, plasma cannons, and lasers. Each stage has unique weapons or parts. Items that can be acquired are varied and depend on the condition of the player’s ship. Naturally, the more advanced weapons systems make it easier to clear missions and defeat the game’s hulking superships, but ship components aren’t limited to weapons.

With over 1,000 parts in all, there are more ship components than the original Warship Gunner. Players can construct their ships with different hulls, forward and aft bridges, engine and propulsion systems, electronics, emergency support, aircraft, and more. Of course the fun is in blasting away at swarms of enemy ships and aircraft, but part of the challenge is investing in technology and gaining access to the advanced weapon systems.

Are any new ships being introduced in Naval Ops: Commander?

JRS: Many of the ships that we’ve seen in Naval Ops: Warship Gunner will reappear in Naval Ops: Commander, but that’s because of the game’s use of historical vessels. Still we’ll see some amazing superships, sci-fi aircraft, and hybrid battlecarriers that are half battleship and half aircraft carrier.

With twice as many stages, Naval Ops: Commander changes based on how well secondary objectives are completed.  Could you give us some examples?

JRS: Naval Ops: Commander has more than twice as many stages as Warship Gunner. Each stage has a primary objective as well as a series of secondary missions such as neutralizing land-based targets that change each time the stage is played. Completion or failure of the secondary objectives can affect later scenarios in the game.

Reaching the game’s ending allows you to play the game through a second time. Although the stage maps and objectives will remain the same, the enemies that appear will be stronger and new items will be available. You can power up your ship even more with these new items.

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government’s power to mimic the power of sci-fi films.

How does the Warship Evaluation System work?

JRS: The Warship Evaluation System analyzes the performance of user-designed ships and provides data critical to improving ship design

 

Naval Ops: Commander provides an evaluation on each of the player’s ships. This system reviews every aspect of the ship, including armaments, defense and speed. The game then gives a score on the design as well as a list of the ship’s strong and weak points.

There is also a post-battle evaluation, separate from the Warship Evaluation System. Receiving a high rank in a post-battle evaluation can result in additional bonus funds, points, and items aside from those collected during battle. Players can replay a stage as many times as they like after clearing it.

According to Jarik, the battling is the best part of the game.

Warship Gunner had great enemy AI.  Is Naval Ops: Commander on that same level?  Have any improvements been made?

 

JRS: You’ll see some great enemy AI in Naval Ops: Commander. The game’s AI has been enhanced because of the game’s Tactical Battle Group aspect. Enemies now have to contend with your primary vessel as well as your escort ships.

The camera system is said to be very intuitive...

JRS: The game’s user-controlled camera gives the player the unparalleled ability to sweep each sector for surface, air and land-based threats, while a radar system allows players to attack with precision.

Players will move the targeting cursor and scroll the on screen field of vision. Players can also zoom the camera view in and out or lock the screen so that it is centered on their ship. At night, visibility significantly decreases, but equipping searchlights can help extend a ship’s field of vision.

Thank you for your time.