Designed to be "just like the real thing," Harpoon 3: Advanced Naval Warfare is considered so similar to real naval combat that various military branches have used the program for training. With over 300 scenarios, players may relive historical battles including the raid on El Dorado Canyon, Operation Babylon, and Desert Storm, or create their own. Gamers can launch direct massive air assaults, hunt down U.S. carriers, and launch nuclear missiles.

The modern air and naval units are intended to be reproduced as faithfully as possible, however, with the "Scenario Editor," players may create their own fleets, weapons, and missions. The game supports third party databases, and two of three will be announced on the Matrix website during the launch.

The game features a single player campaign mode that allows gamers to access any of the scenarios, and fight against intelligent AI that is designed to give even the best couch commander a challenge. Two to six players may fight to the surrender in Multiplayer mode. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide