Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific

Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific is a hybrid strategy game and warship simulator developed by Microprose. The title was released in 1992.

Story

Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific takes place in the title year 1942. The game tells the story of real events - fighting for Guadalcanal was the beginning of the American land counter-attack in the war with Japan and was also the first successful landing of American troops during World War II.

In the game we can take control of the American (United States Navy), New Zealand Navy, Australian (Royal Australian Navy) and Japanese (Imperial Japanese Navy) fleets.

Mechanics

In Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific, the player takes on the role of a Fleet Admiral, and their task is to do everything in their power to ensure that the fighting troops on his side take control of the island of Guadalcanal. In order to do so, thay have to take care of supplies for soldiers and a constant inflow of meals, as well as make every effort to ensure that the enemy is prevented from doing the same for their forces.

The game is based on two pillars - strategic and simulation. In the first of them we get access to a map that enables us to discern the situation at sea - it is from this level that we send planes for reconnaissance, bombardments, build fleets or even decide about landing zones. Under our command there are both flying units, enabling quick reconnaissance, as well as convoys with supplies and fleets of destroyers, battleships and cruisers.

However, our role is by no means limited to giving orders - when it comes to meeting the enemy fleet, we take our place aboard the selected ship and participate directly in real-time battles in a three-dimensional environment. Airplanes, including fighters, bombers and torpedo planes, are an indispensable support.

Game modes

Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific offers three gameplay variants. In addition to the single-player campaign, the game features historical battles accompanied by clashes developed using an integrated editor.

Technical aspects

Due to the fact that we are dealing with a title from 1992, visuals no longer make a great impression today. On the release day, the visual sphere of Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the South Pacific presented a high level of execution - the models of individual ships (such as Yamato and Iowa), were refined with great attention to detail, and the advanced effects accompanying the night-time fire exchange were also noteworthy. Undoubtedly, the strong point of this position is the high degree of realism, which is due to the consultations that the devs had with vice-admiral William Mack.

Last updated on March 15, 2020