Tom Clancy's SSN

Plot

In the near future of 1997, the death of Deng Xiaoping triggers a coup by Premier Li Peng, who orders an invasion of the Spratly Islands to exploit newly discovered oil deposits. A Chinese submarine attacks a U.S. aircraft carrier escort, which retaliates and destroys the attacker, leading to full-scale war. The USS Cheyenne, under Captain Bartholomew "Mack" Mackey, departs San Diego, sails via Pearl Harbor, and enters the South China Sea under strict defensive orders.

After a Chinese sub fires, Cheyenne responds with lethal force. Joining the USS Independence carrier group as an escort, Cheyenne sinks a Luda-class destroyer, its escort, and multiple submarines including Romeo-class threats. Missions escalate as Cheyenne destroys a Chinese submarine base, sinks additional Luda destroyers, Romeo-class subs, and a Han-class vessel, uncovering evidence of Russian involvement.

Cheyenne launches Tomahawk strikes on coastal airfields, defends an oil rig called Benthic Adventure, and fends off a massive task force. After logistics stops including Subic Bay, Cheyenne strikes Russian-crewed subs embedded with Chinese forces. The final mission involves facilitating the safe return of deposed Chinese leader Jiang Zemin from Taiwan, navigating the mine-infested Formosa Strait to defend his convoy.

Reception

Tom Clancy SSN received "mixed or average" reviews according to Metacritic. A retrospective review from CD-ROM Fossil described it as a curious novelty with clunky, restrictive gameplay, though the video segments and acting were noted for nostalgic charm. Subsim gave the game a rating of 52, criticizing it as more of an interactive movie or flight simulator for submarines, lacking realism for technical fans despite some entertainment value.