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Editor: Neal Stevens
Dec 16, 2000
Dear Neal Stevens,
I am Jay Weingand, a player of "Silent Hunter" and a former player of "Silent Service". When I picked up and played "Silent Hunter", I felt that I was in the pacific and in a real sub. But, that's before reading your preview of "Silent Hunter 2". I was so surprised about the level of realism and authenticity of the up-coming game. You answered many of my questions except one. The main trouble area in "Silent Hunter" was the ships, themselves. Although the ships looked more real, they sink on pre-determined sinking sequences by the programmer.
My question to you is do the ships sink at the damaged area in Silent Hunter 2? For example, a torpedo struck a ship in amidships and the ship start to list on the side where the torpedo hit. It doesn't do that in the original game. I hoped that since you played the Beta version (Test one), you should know.
Thanks, J. Weingand
San Antonio, TX
Hi Jay,
Sorry for the delay in answering--holidays!
From my observations, the ships in SH2 do not model the exact hit and damage from a specific torpedo the way you're hoping. I'll have to do more testing to be sure though. When hit, the ships do list but I don't know for sure if it is always from the stricken side. The dev team has declined to model ships breaking in half as the did in SH2; something about the complexities of 3D modeling.
Hope this helps.
Dec 3, 2000
S! Guys
Before anything, Ive got 2 things to tell 1)You do a great job guys, we don't know what we could do without you 2)Im french, so please excuse my poor english :)
So, it is written "And there aren't any sound files or music (well, there might be, but I couldn't get it to work on my computer). The PC speaker buzzes to simulate engine sounds (which thankfully can be switched off!) "
I don't understand: at home, my PC speaker get many different sounds for each engine levels, my officer yell "AYE AYE SIR" everytime I give an order, torpedoes sounds are here, along with sub charges explosions and gun fires.... Are you sure you can't make it working? His sound atmosphere with the IBM speaker is far beeing better than the one of the Silent Hunter's french version (!)
If you want I can send you my 3,5' disks data by mail, but SSII merits, for sure, fare more than 02/10 in my sense :)
THanks for all :)
ALain-James
You may be right about the low rating for the sound--I was unable to get the vocal and sound effects to work.
Nov 27, 2000
Neal, Great article!
Very informative. Thanks for the "no holds barred" type of approach. It's good to have an experienced subsimmer finally write a good review. Those s-shots really have me going! I cannot wait for the big going gold party! :) I knew that there would be a select few to take pot shots at the review, but this letter is just to remind you that there are those 100% excited about it's release, no matter if there isn't a, I hesitate to say, Dynamic Campaign. Yet, I understand their fustrations and objections.
Your review painted a brilliant game with many breakthroughs, and I fully understand the missing shell to incorporate all the campaign missions. However, I'm certain that I'll probably not notice the missing link. I'm in full readiness for the online battles and the Wolfpack League. Looks like longtime dreams are finally going to come true. Those boys in DC land might have their way with some of the newbies, but experienced subsimmers will give 'em hell. :) I was at home for the holiday and just got back into town. Everything looks very awesome.
Again, great job on the review! I'm looking forward to playing this amazing new subsim.
Thanks,
Mark
Nov 25, 2000
Everything fine now. Love the Website. You may be interested to know I'm calling from Plymouth, England, and tried for about 3 months to get my game running. The store told me to forget it, (it's a DOS game). The Email help line said I would have to make a pure DOS boot disk. That didn't work either. As a newcomer to the Web I'm amazed at how much good help and information can be had. My disk was only V.1.1 as opposed to the CE I used to have. With the installation of your upgrades I'm back to CE. Thanks again, keep up the good work.
Jim (Plymouth U.K.)
Nov. 10, 2000
Neal,
Thanks for the site information. I will call them; hopefully they will have some sort of a technical support line. Thanks for answering so quickly, and for the help. One question if you don't mind: I was looking to try and find a submarine game that is similar to Silent Hunter. Do you have any advice? I want someting that is not too complicated to learn to play initally, as I am sort of a "point and shoot" guy. I like games that you can start playing right away, but allow you to learn as you go along...something like Silent Hunter. Which other sub games are similar?
Aces of the Deep, if you can find it. Silent Hunter II should be available in the latter part of 2001.
Nov 7, 2000
Ahoy there!
I have been looking to buy a copy of the Microprose Silent Service II game for years, since my originals became corrupted over 8 years ago, from the stoned virus. I've searched the Microprose site, but there are no offers to sell this really old game, and i REALLY have to get my hands on it again.
Your site is the ONLY site I have found that even mentions this 'ancient' sub.sim, let alone give a review. ....What a classic!
Could you please give me a contact where i could buy it from (again). I would appreciate it greatly.
Thanks, Vasili Manelis Johannesburg, South Africa
Nov 6, 2000
Gentleman,
Just a quick note regarding your site. Thank you very much for your complete, in-depth reviews of subsims and related info.
I'm in the market for a subsim since I've finally gotten into the Pentium age (PIII/500) from the "Dark Ages" (486DX4/100). I thoroughly enjoyed Silent Sevice II (and agree with your review wholeheartedly); but I'm now looking for a subsim that is both enjoyable and realistic.
Your site provided me with a wealth of information that is invaluable. I now know what to steer away from, and what to put on my wishlist. Awesome job! (And if any of the staff are former Navy- BRAVO ZULU).
Keep up the good work.
Lee Parshook (former airdale- USS Kitty Hawk)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |______________>I know, nothing but a target, right? <G>
Nov 2, 2000
Dear Neal,
I've been lurking for quite a while and finally decided to come out. I want to thank you for the work you've put into your site and the new league, and the respect you have for all submariners. I am historian of my old unit from Vietnam, and trying to keep track of a few hundred guys and events over 7 years is nothing to what you are taking on here.
Michael Tiomkin LTC, 1st Special Forces Regiment, Retired
Oct 3, 2000
Hi,
I haven't participated in the message board for some time now. But I just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your website. Reading the posts and articles on your site has become a part of my morning routine. Also the tips, and downloads have been very helpful.
I've finally got 'Silent Hunter Commander's Edition'! Yeah!! It took a little tweaking, but it now runs fine. Except for the opening movie, but that's no big deal. Been having a lot of fun with it, and it works A LOT better on my computer than Aces of the Deep.
I also love playing Fast Attack, and of course Jane's 688. I really would like to see someone develop a Russian nuke sim. Commanding an Akula would be so much fun! It's interesting to see the gamers that are trying to develop their own subsims. I wish them the best in their efforts. Myself, I've got good ideas, but programming is WAY over my head. :-)
Well keep up the good work!
Mike
For additional messages, see the next Archive page.
Well, now it's up to you. Set the record straight! Which Sims have you been playing? Had any program errors you'd like to warn others about? Know any really good techniques for racking up major tonnage? Let us hear from you!
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