Iron Tide Command

Iron Tide Command asks you to think like a quartermaster as much as an admiral. You plot routes, keep fuel and ammo flowing, and pick your battles instead of throwing ships at everything. It's slower and more deliberate than most mobile strategy, and that's exactly why I liked it.

The interface took me a session to learn. Once it clicked, planning a multi-fleet pincer over a coffee felt genuinely satisfying. Battles play out semi-automatically based on your positioning, so preparation is where the game lives.

It's not for everyone. If you want instant action this will feel dry. If you enjoy chess with boats, it's a keeper.

What we liked

• Deep supply-line planning
• Rewards patience and setup
• Meaty single-player campaign