Too much arcade oriented.
It is not strong in simulation; as all aspects of the game is unrealistic from head to toe. It is an arcade game actually. Ship battles are definitely unrealistic and more of a shoot em up style. Ship artillery fires are weak modelled as if they are firing slingshots not the great naval cannons. There is no big boom effects nor smoke of guns. Ships are controlled as if they are remote controlled model cars going forth and back to manuever and submarines are even worse. No realistic collusions and sea modelling is mediocre. No ammunition limit, no fuel limit, even no bad weather. Maybe my expectations were high, maybe i expected something like silent hunter 3 models and features from this one as i played SH3 too much these days but in any case it is not what i expected. I expected more of a realistic game and a grand campaign where i can create my own strategy.
Surely the most fun part is the carrier warfare, as sending bombers and fighters to enemy fleet allows you to implement your own strategy. And flying with aircraft is fun although the controls are awkward and un-mouse friendly.
Also camera options are highly limited. There is no Free-view camera or a bird's view option of a battle field. when i drop a bomb or a torpedo i can not see the hit or miss. just a radio message says "ordnance was on target sir" what about my wingmen? It would have been great to have a little event camera view (as in SH3) the target ship under fire etc.
some elements are frustrating also. The battle of coral sea was bored me to death as japanese carriers have limitless supply of aircrafts sending only bombers again and again!! no matter how much i shot down! I have to mention that the game is also too american oriented and story is handled in much an american way. like "at last I will have the chance to take the revenge the pearl" and "the japs will pay for this soon" bla bla. Not everyone playing this game is american and if I was a Japanese i would be pissed for sure.
As a conclusion (after so much criticism) this is not a bad game. Even it is fun if you are looking for just an arcade game. Keep in mind that it is not a serious strategy+simulation but an arcade game when buying this game. But still i insist, this is a game of high potential but wasted of much options. A free grand campaign, more strategic elements and more realistic combats (even as an additional option or an expansion pack-maybe?) would be a nice feature.