II Computing in 1985 called the Apple II version of
Carriers at War "the best-playing simulation of naval warfare I have seen on either tabletop or video monitor" and favorably citing its historical accuracy.
inCider was less positive, rating the Apple II version two stars in 1986. The reviewer stated that the game "is so difficult to master, it takes much of the joy out of playing it ... Carriers' big drawback is its complexity", adding that he preferred
Gary Grigsby's
SSI naval games as "they're less flexible, but they're just as detailed and much more playable".
Computer Gaming World stated that "Carriers at War is the best game available on World War II carrier operations. It is, perhaps, the best wargame of 1984 on any topic".
Carriers at War was awarded the
Charles S. Roberts Award for "Best Adventure Game for Home Computer of 1984". A 1987 overview of World War II simulations in the
Computer Gaming World rated the game four of five points and stated that "it excels in flexibility, options and limited intelligence". A 1993 survey in the magazine of wargames gave it three stars out of five, stating "Highly recommended for the 8-bit market". In 1994 the magazine said that the 8-bit version was "one of the first computer wargames to approach the complexity of board wargame simulations while still remaining playable and fun". ==Legacy==