Harpoon

About

Harpoon is a 1989 naval combat simulator where you command ships and aircraft in the GIUK Gap, a strategic North Atlantic chokepoint. As a military leader, you issue real-time orders, select from over 100 weapons, and manage resources during tense engagements. The game leans heavily into tactical decision making, blending historical ship classes with simplified mechanics that prioritize action over complexity. Its roots in a Larry Bond board game give it a methodical, rules-heavy approach that veteran strategy fans might recognize. The game stands out for its focus on chain of command and logistics, requiring players to balance immediate threats with long-term objectives. While its dated visuals and steep learning curve limit broad appeal, retro strategy enthusiasts appreciate the depth of its command interface and the variety of available units. Harpoon ran on DOS, Amiga, and Mac systems, and remains a niche title among fans of military simulations.

Storyline

Harpoon is a game in which the player is the commander of either NATO or Soviet forces, making judgment calls and sending orders to ships and aircraft, armed with weapon systems selected from more than 100 available options.[1] The game mainly focuses on combat in the GIUK Gap.