Carrier Command: Gaea Mission (2012)

Carrier Command: Gaea Mission transports players to the alien world of Taurus, a desperate last hope for a war-torn Earth. As Lt. Myrik, you command a formidable carrier, navigating a vast archipelago in a blend of intense action and deep strategy. Your mission: establish an island network for resources and defense, customize your fleet with powerful upgrades and weaponry, and ultimately hunt down and conquer the enemy forces threatening this vital new frontier. The game offers both an engaging story-driven campaign, charting your rise from rookie to commander, and a classic strategy mode, harkening back to the original's strategic duel. Bohemia Interactive's mastery of expansive worlds and tactical gameplay shines through in Carrier Command: Gaea Mission, making it a worthy inclusion on any list of their best. The seamless transition between commanding your carrier fleet from a strategic overview and taking direct control of individual units, exemplified by the unique Picture-in-Picture window, embodies Bohemia's signature approach to player agency and immersion. Exploring over thirty unique islands across six diverse climatic zones, coupled with deep unit customization and resource management, offers the kind of sandbox experience and emergent gameplay that defines their most acclaimed titles.