PCGame

Rule the Waves 3

Naval strategy simulation spanning dreadnoughts, carriers, and missile cruisers

Naval Warfare Simulations · Published by Matrix Games · Released May 18, 2023

SimulationStrategy

Reviews
Very Positive
86% of 896
Recent reviews
Very Positive
90% of 10 in 30 days
Players
64
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
2 months ago
Aug 20, 2026
Minimum PC
No minimum requirement (n…
4 GB RAM · 1 GB disk
Full requirements

What is Rule the Waves 3?

A single-player naval strategy simulation in which you lead one of ten national navies from 1890 toward 1970. In monthly turns, you design and build ships, manage budgets, research, deployments, and defenses, then command tactical battles when war begins.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy detailed ship design and long-term fleet management
  • +you prefer systems-heavy naval history to flashy presentation
  • +you want campaigns spanning decades of changing military technology

Not for you if...

  • −you need a gentle learning curve and extensive guidance
  • −you want polished visuals instead of menus, charts, and numbers
  • −you mainly want fast, action-focused naval combat

What players say

86% of 896 reviews are positive · 90% of 10 in the last 30 days

Players most often praise the detailed ship designer and long-term management of budgets, technology, and fleets, especially in the dreadnought era. The most common complaint is that the battle generator selects frustrating forces and limits control over deployments; players also criticize weak guidance, an awkward interface, and AI behavior, particularly once aircraft and missiles become prominent.

Players over time

▼ -29% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 92 players on Oct 10, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202664
Nov 6, 202658
Nov 5, 202656
Nov 4, 202654
Nov 3, 202658
Nov 2, 202647
Nov 1, 202656
Oct 31, 202651
Oct 30, 202641
Oct 29, 202640
Oct 28, 202643
Oct 27, 202672
Oct 26, 202666
Oct 25, 202680
Oct 24, 202678
Oct 23, 202668
Oct 22, 202662
Oct 21, 202664
Oct 20, 202668
Oct 18, 202671
Oct 17, 202676
Oct 16, 202664
Oct 15, 202658
Oct 14, 202674
Oct 13, 202660
Oct 11, 202688
Oct 10, 202692
Oct 9, 202676
Oct 8, 202674
Oct 7, 202688
Oct 6, 202691
Oct 4, 202685
Oct 3, 202674
Oct 2, 202673
Oct 1, 202671
Sep 30, 202678
Sep 29, 202673
Sep 27, 202675
Sep 26, 202676
Sep 25, 202666
Sep 24, 202662
Sep 23, 202659
Sep 23, 202674
Sep 22, 202663
Sep 21, 202672

Screenshots and trailer

Rule the Waves 3 screenshot 1

Rule the Waves 3 system requirements

Minimum: No minimum requirement (n…, 4 GB RAM, 1 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Rule the Waves 3?

The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows 11, can work on Windows 10, but not officially supported
Processor
1.2 GHz min, 2.4+ GHz
Graphics
No minimum requirement (no hardware video acceleration is required)
Memory
4 GB RAM
Storage
1 GB available space
DirectX
Version 9.0

Does Rule the Waves 3 have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Rule the Waves 3 run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Steam features
Cloud saves, Family Sharing
Languages
Text only: English.

Does Rule the Waves 3 use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Nov 7, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

1 DLC available.

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