14 DAY TRIAL // A massive carrier, with a full complement of F-35s and other planes and helicopters, is moving towards the shore, trying to get in range so that it can support threatened forces. Destroyers and other support assets are also in the area. The big decision is how to prepare the carrier wing for action and what kind of loadout will give it the flexibility to deal with both known and unknown threats.
I decide to have half my best planes serve as CAP, ready to deal with potential threats to the carrier itself, while the escorts and a submarine complete the protection ring. The rest of the F-35s are divided between precision strike weapons and anti-naval, while the helicopters all prepare for ground support and search and rescue.
Command: Showcase – Ford Class is developed by Command Development Team and published by Slitherine. This is part of the long-running stream of downloadable content packs for the strategy title. The most recent one is centered on the USS Ford, the recently launched aircraft carrier of the United States Navy.
The DLC’s scenario takes place in 2026 and envisions a standoff between the strike group led by this leading ship of the Gerald R. Ford class and one centered around the Russian Admiral Nakhimov battlecruiser. As a tense situation is developing in Angola, with a dead president and a possible descent toward civil war, these two forces are perilously close to starting a massive battle.
Players get to control a range of high-end weaponry, choosing their load-outs, their rules of engagement, what they target, and how they react to incoming threats. There are no tweaks to the mechanics of Command: Modern Operations. They will still deliver a complex simulation with a ton of moving pieces and plenty of choices.
The big problem is that even a relatively small scenario can feel overwhelming. Gamers need to know about weapons systems and how they are best used. They need to have at least some idea of how each force tends to operate.
The good news is that Command has just received a big free update, designed to teach players, using 12 scenarios, how to approach the game and feel prepared for its depth.
The weirdest element of Ford Class is that it cannot be played from the Russian perspective. It’s fun showing off US naval and air superiority in a tense situation but a look at how the other side would engage should have been part of the package. The DLC also has a clear bug with the air wing selection, which is not recognized and forces a loss for the player, although the rest of the scenario can be played by closing that message.
Ford Class uses the same presentation as the core Command: Modern Operations experience. The game is relatively dry, so do not expect extensive effects or careful renditions of combat units. After all, there’s a version of this video game that’s actually used as a training tool by real-world armies. Also, make sure to stock up on some military-themed podcasts to accompany the scenario.
Conclusion
The carrier air wing bug is also pretty annoying. So the DLC is a Nay for anyone who has been picking up new Command content as it arrives until the issue is fixed. But, as long as they ignore that message, this is a decent introductory scenario for a strategy fan that finds the core Command: Modern Operations experience hard to fully understand and enjoy.
A review key was provided by the publisher.
