I was not enamered with the interface at first either but over a few hours, it is quite nice. Some more interaction with the crew would be nice also. I'm glad SH4 is not SH3, I needed a change of pace from the gray foreboding Atlantic and no matter how many vessels I sunk....I still lost the war. Then again, when using GWX I usually did not survive my first patrol anyway hence my "First Patrol Your Dead Club". We did not have many members because most did not return after their first patrol.
Give it some time slupanter it will all come together.