Grandest Fleet 2, The

The Lost Admiral, The Grandest Fleet, and The Grandest Fleet 2 are part of the same series, beginning with the Lost Admiral. The Grandest Fleet followed shortly thereafter, and the Grandest Fleet 2 is actually a never-released sequel to it. Quantum Quality Productions (QQP) holds the software copyright. It became available through freeware in the middle nineties when it was leaked from its source shortly before QQP dispersed. It can best be described as an add-on to the original Grandest Fleet, as opposed to a stand alone true sequel.

As mentioned above, the graphics and game engine in The Grandest Fleet 2 are identical to the original game. However, massive improvements have been made in the computer’s artificial intelligence, and there is much more substance to the scenarios. The addition of the more competent AI greatly improved the single person game play, making the game worth downloading just for a more substantial challenge; however, the ability to command naval forces through more complex and beefy missions is also appealing.
The game plays out like a combat simulation, with the greatest focus on a powerful navy. There is a great deal of emphasis on economy in the Grandest Fleet 2, and it cannot be ignored for the sake of fighting if the user has a hope of winning. To win, the user must amass a predefined number of victory points, equated to a score. The user gains victory points by usurping and maintaining control over productive cities. The cities can be built up to be manufacturing super powers, research centres or defensive fortresses.
There are many different naval units in the game. All have specific purposes, strengths and weaknesses. The user can manufacture anything from gigantic but weak aircraft carriers to floating destructive forces, such as the super battleship. There is a super submarine, and several other underwater units, as well as cruisers and lightweight battleships. What the user is able to build directly relates to the resources available in his cities and his financial ability to support the ships. The objective at hand also dictates what the user wishes to build. For example, a fleet of submarines are going to do little good if the user is planning an attack with massive air support.
In short, for a game that never officially came to the market, the Grandest Fleet 2 is a satisfying play. It does not really offer anything new in the way of naval combat simulations, but it is still a good strategy game and is recommended for download.