Submarine Titans is a real-time strategy video game that takes place in the year 2115 after a comet has struck Earth, driving two human factions, the militant White Sharks and the scientific Black Octopi, to establish underwater bases and fight for dominance over the oceans.
Players have three radically different factions to choose from. The militant White Sharks emphasize powerful direct-fire weaponry, while the scientific Black Octopi rely on advanced technologies and support units. The enigmatic alien Silicons utilize a transforming unit that can morph into various structures. This stark contrast in playstyles allows for a high degree of strategic depth and replayability.
The game's fully 3D underwater environment is a standout feature. Players can maneuver their units vertically as well as horizontally, enabling them to dodge attacks by changing depth. This adds an extra tactical dimension, as commanders must consider unit positioning and elevation to gain advantages. Navigating the seafloor, cliffs, and other terrain features creates chokepoints and flanking opportunities that factor into strategic decision-making.
The complex resource system requires careful allocation. Players must balance expanding their economy, researching new technologies, and building up military forces, managing multiple resources such as metal, corium, oxygen, and sea gold. The extensive tech trees offer a wide array of upgrades and abilities to unlock, adding depth to the progression system.
In addition to the faction-specific units, the game features a variety of specialized units with unique abilities and mechanics. This includes stealth submarines, mines, repair platforms, and the ability to capture enemy technology. Integrating these specialized units into strategic planning introduces new layers of depth.
While the graphics may show their age, the eerie, blue-tinted underwater environments, accompanied by an appropriately ambient soundtrack, create a distinctive and immersive visual style. The sense of isolation and the struggle for dominance in this submerged world are palpable.
Reviewers consistently praise the game's unique and engaging gameplay. They highlight the faction diversity, the innovative 3D underwater combat, the depth of the resource management and tech systems, and the overall sense of creativity and distinctiveness that sets the game apart. Many express fond nostalgia for the captivating gameplay they experienced in their childhood.