Battle Stations: Saga of the U.S.S. Houston

Battle Stations: The Saga of the U.S.S. Houston is a naval strategy game centered on the American cruiser CA-30 in the Pacific Theater. The narrative follows an alternate history path starting March 1, 1942, allowing the U.S.S. Houston to survive its historical sinking. Set within the Dutch East Indies, the game captures the tactical struggle between the Allied ABDA Command and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Players choose to lead either side through a series of surface engagements and a broader campaign for maritime control.

The game features two distinct modes: tactical and strategic.

In tactical mode, players command four ships from a first-person "Binocular View." Combat involves alternating orders to maneuver, lay smoke screens, or fire primary batteries at targets identified on a letter-coded radar. Ship diagrams display real-time damage as black spots on specific components like turrets or engines.

In strategic mode, players manage a larger fleet including submarines and aircraft. This mode focuses on long-range reconnaissance and fleet positioning, where players plot courses and input specific map coordinates. Status windows track essential logistics such as fuel levels and ammunition counts throughout the operation.