SH4 has been worth it !!!

[ReallyDedPoet]

I have been playing this game since it came out in March, from 1.0 up until 1.3, it has been my most played sim since that time and I don't see that changing anytime soon. When I first heard that UBI was putting out a Pacific Theatre Sim I was not all that enthused in the beginning. I was used to the Atlantic Theatre ( I can practically park the sub in my back yard ) having played SH2 and SH3. I did not know much about Fleetboats, or for that matter the War in the Pacific.

How things have changed :yep: First of all, despite the early bugs ( yes I know some still exist ) with SH4, it has been interesting watching this sim evolve through patches and all of the great mods that have been made up to this point. I have also enjoyed getting to know the history of the Paciic Theatre, although admittingly there is still much to learn. For those folks out there who say the theatre is dull, read this, from http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/

" The American fleet submarine may arguably be called the most successful naval weapon of World War II. The aircraft carriers got all the publicity, but it was the submarine fleet that destroyed most of the Japanese merchant fleet, isolating the home islands, crippling Japanese industry, and preventing resupply and reinforcement of Japanese island garrisons.

From America's entry into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, until the Japanese surrender was signed on 2 September 1945, American submarines were responsible for sinking more than half of all Japanese tonnage. This, despite the fact that the submarine forces comprised less than 2% of the Navy, and spent the first 18 months of the war battling the Navy bureaucracy over defective torpedoes. "

Does the game offer tension challenge? It is quickly getting there, fire up one of the compilation mods Trigger Maru: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=115258
or RFB:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=111770
and you'll see what I mean. How about campaign based mods, try Run Silent Run Deep: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=123467
Visual, unbelievable visuals at that, look no further than Reflections on Water or ROW as most know it: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122408

Here is a pic from that thread:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/Defiance_co/3-1.jpg

From Chasing the Moon Thread

http://www.kickinbak.com/posts/chasing_the_moon.jpg

For various immersion based mods, try one of the fantastic radio mods, CBS, NBC, BBC and others, want to customize your conning tower check out sqk774s'
Kill Flags Mod:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122870
or skin your sub, check out the work that Foofighter has done:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=113835

As well there are many other great mods ( sorry I did not mention more by
name or their authors, you know who you are ) that have been made and I am sure there are many to come, for a complete list go here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=118945

Is SH4 a perfect game, no. But it has come a long way since its early days and the future looks very bright going forward with 1.4 around the corner and I am sure many great mods to follow :yep::up:


RDP

[Peto]

Very Well Said!!!!

:rock:

[AVGWarhawk]

Is SH4 a perfect game, no. But it has come a long way since its early days and the future looks very bright going forward with 1.4 around the corner and I am sure many great mods to follow :yep::up:

Nothing like growing with the game and the aches and pains. Once cleared up and mods added, being a part and enjoying the works of others, it can be quite satisfying. Not to mention the chitter chatter on the forums! It is a enjoyable pass time and educational to boot!! I excited to see what the furture holds.

[Snuffy]

Its been an enjoyable ride :)

[TDK1044]

Nice post. I agree. Due to outstanding work by the Devs and the modders, Silent Hunter 4 has moved from being barely playable at release ( due to an unrealistic production schedule) to an excellent game now. Patch 1.4 will clean up a few outstanding issues, and the Add On will give us the ability to create a full U Boat Atlantic campaign.

[stabiz]

I agree its good, but not mega. I just dont play this as much as I did SH3.

[ReallyDedPoet]

I agree its good, but not mega. I just dont play this as much as I did SH3.

I think it will get there stabiz, it took SH3 awhile to get its " sea legs ", SH4 seems to be following a similar path :yep:


RDP

[AVGWarhawk]

I agree its good, but not mega. I just dont play this as much as I did SH3.


In do time Stabiz!

[Wilcke]

RDP,

Well said, got SH4 at release loaded it up and said NO! Now, its hard to find time to play SH3, which I truly really still like a whole bunch.

Its fun to see it come into its own! Nice to see it supported in many ways. I have learned so much about the battle of the Pacific.

Wilcke

[mookiemookie]

It had its problems out of the box. Luckily most of them have been ironed out by either the patches or the developers. I remember the time just after release where these forums were inundated with threads threatening legal action and much wailing and gnashing of teeth...I wonder how many class action lawsuits were spawned. I wonder if the people who didn't have the patience to stick with the game have moved on to Halo 3 or whatever the latest twitchy shooter for console 'tards is. They've indeed missed out on the diamond in the rough that SH4 is.

I'm lovin this game....just waiting on the patch so I can start a new career. :cool:

[dean_acheson]

10-4 on this thread! Thanks UBI.

[SteamWake]

Pretty good synopsis and I agree it is worth it.

Im still afraid to punch the 'hold depth' key.. remember that :p

Im really looking foward to the patch and the addittional content can only make things better.

[Rockin Robbins]

With all the trials early on, I have to say this is my first ride on a fairly new release. And I have to add that it has been a lot of fun, in part because of the arrows that pioneers tend to attract. I have learned more about WWII submarines from SH3 and SH4 than from all the books I have accumulated over the years. I have gained a new appreciation for the men who did it for real.

Once I got over the pitbull copy protection schemes (I've grown a true dislike for Sony Corp, and will avoid their products) I've discovered a simulation which will keep me busy for at least a year. Let's see, $50 / 365 days is 13.7¢ per day, a little less than gas for my car or going to a movie or subscribing to a newspaper or drinking one cup of coffee a day or eating lunch....

Thanks Ubi!:up:

[rrmelend]

I agree with what almost everything that you all are saying. I was a little late picking this game up, I learned about the game about a year and a half ago and then just clean old forgot about it. Even with a crappy store bought comp with an unsupported onboard graphics card and only 1MB of Ram and getting 1-2 fps with high TC, I can't find enough time to play. I am coonstantly amazed by all the extra work the modders are putting into this game and trully making it a thing of beauty (literally).:up:

[stabiz]

What I think is really great about SH4, is that there is now a modern subsim in the PTO. The more the merrier, I say. And when the uboat-addon is launched the modding might go BOOM as many of the SH3-guys will come over. That means twice as many people working on issues that might benefit both gangs. Oh, the joy!

And considering what SH3 turned into after a while, I might become a PTO-fanatic myself, who knows.

Its exciting to think about, thats for sure!

[THE_MASK]

Hah , tip of the iceberg in modding terms . The 1.4 patch , the addon , german subs , more modders from SH3 coming over to SH4 . Bring it on . I think i have mod withdrawal symptoms . I need more mods . I nearly finished a patrol , then lurker_hlb3 came to the rescue . Yes , a new RSRDC . Start my career again , YES .

[SubSuck]

WOW! Why doesn't my ROW mod look like that? I got the sun flare installed but it doesn't show up. :(

[ReallyDedPoet]

May have something to do with your graphics card SS, I know you posted your specs before, re-fresh my memory as far as your card. Also, do a search regarding this, I am sure I have seen a few threads on this subject.

Edit:here is one: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=123663&highlight=glare


RDP

[SubSuck]

Hmm, with a closer comparison my mod is working except the the lens flare. I did update all the new files for ROW. What I think I should do is a clean install of the game and start fresh with a new save.

Man, I can't believe how much better this game runs without all the crapware I was using.

[SteamWake]

Hmm, with a closer comparison my mod is working except the the lens flare. I did update all the new files for ROW. What I think I should do is a clean install of the game and start fresh with a new save.

Man, I can't believe how much better this game runs without all the crapware I was using.

Its a video card issue. I think its ATI cards that dont support the 'flare'.

Sad but true, I suffer from the same thing but its not exactly a game breaker.

If you really want to nit pick, I did notice the screen shot still suffers from Moire patterns on the deck.

But hey... I play this game for fun Im not going to let things like that spoil it for me.

[Captain Vlad]

I knew I was hooked when I journeyed to the local library to take advantage of their high-speed just to have some better radio. Waited for years for another game focussing on the Pacific Theater and judging by how often I keep booting the thing up, I'm pretty satisfied.

And like everyone else has said...the potential is just starting to be explored...

[ReallyDedPoet]

And like everyone else has said...the potential is just starting to be explored...

Your right, it is just starting :yep::up: 1.4, add-on, endless mods..... :rock:


RDP

[joea]

Well said RDP.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Give this a bump :yep::D


RDP

[ReallyDedPoet]

I am fecking giving this another bump and offer no apologies in doing so, I am tired of some of the negative SH4 crap lately. If you have a problem with this, take it up with the management.


RDP

[jazman]

I am fecking giving this another bump and offer no apologies in doing so, I am tired of some of the negative SH4 crap lately. If you have a problem with this, take it up with the management.


Oh, c'mon RDP, SH4 is boring, you just don't know it! :)

[ReallyDedPoet]

I am fecking giving this another bump and offer no apologies in doing so, I am tired of some of the negative SH4 crap lately. If you have a problem with this, take it up with the management.

Oh, c'mon RDP, SH4 is boring, you just don't know it! :)

:hmm::roll:


RDP

[Torplexed]

I think jazman is just yanking your anchor chain....I think. :hmm:

[Ducimus]

I just realized how long ive been waiting for a pacific sub game....., since Aces of the deep by Sierra/dynamix. I am not kidding.

Silent Hunter 1, just didnt grab me, and ever since then, ive been jonesing for a Pacific game that had technical detail, AND atmosphere. Silent hunter 4 delivers on both counts. So was it worth the wait? Overall, yeah id say so. Some things could be a little more polished, but with patch 1.4 coming, id have to say its been worth it, and bloody hell has it been a long wait.

[ReallyDedPoet]

I just realized how long ive been waiting for a pacific sub game....., since Aces of the deep by Sierra/dynamix. I am not kidding.

Silent Hunter 1, just didnt grab me, and ever since then, ive been jonesing for a Pacific game that had technical detail, AND atmosphere. Silent hunter 4 delivers on both counts. So was it worth the wait? Overall, yeah id say so. Some things could be a little more polished, but with patch 1.4 coming, id have to say its been worth it, and bloody hell has it been a long wait.

The game grows on you. Part of the reason I have stuck with it is because I wanted to see the evolution of the sim from start to finish, warts and all. All I know is I just can't stop playing the dam thing, for the reasons I mentioned in the first post :yep:

Be interesting to see what 1.4 brings to the table.


RDP

[jazman]

I think jazman is just yanking your anchor chain....I think. :hmm:

I was just joking, that's why I had a :)

I like SH4, too. :rock:

[ReallyDedPoet]

I think jazman is just yanking your anchor chain....I think. :hmm:
I was just joking, that's why I had a :)

I like SH4, too. :rock:
Yeah I know, I had my people look into it :cool:

Ok, you got me, but just a little :oops:


RDP

[-Pv-]

I too thought I would die before someone gave the pacific subs a modern brush. I have many games but this one gets 90% of my game time. Would I have bought it knowing all the problems it had before hand? Definitely.

Sharing the rich history of the Silent Service with the history hounds here is half the fun.
-Pv-

[leovampire]

Since this vs of the SH series came out it is almost alway's going. I remember the early problems I had with SHIII and it did not turn me off at all inbetween waiting for the patches I still played it to death.

Same with this one I started enough campaigns in the begining before the 1.0 Patch to make it stable that I ended up learning a lot about how the crew worked and so much more.

Each month that has gone by since the release it has become more and more the game everyone prayed it would be once we got it. Either with patches or mod repairs or graffics and more.

And now a new patch to fix the rest of the ill's and a new add on comming as well! What more can you ask from a Game/sim that has given us so much enjoyment both in playing and building apon.

I know I owe UBIsoft and the Dev's a debt of gratitude for the game. It pulled me out of my last stroke's bad effect's and gave me a new purpose in life that I felt I no longer had! When I bought the game I could barly type but I forced myself to learn how to play it. Then I forced myself to learn how to mod it. And now I can function more like a normal human being again. Was it worth it to me all I can say is that statment is just too under rated.

So this is why I defend the Dev's and the game with tooth and nail!

[ReallyDedPoet]

Since this vs of the SH series came out it is almost alway's going. I remember the early problems I had with SHIII and it did not turn me off at all inbetween waiting for the patches I still played it to death.

So this is why I defend the Dev's and the game with tooth and nail!
Folks seem to forget the early probs. with SH3, I guess it is a case of selective
memory :yep::88)

Anyway, nice post LV.


RDP

[Rockin Robbins]

I am fecking giving this another bump and offer no apologies in doing so, I am tired of some of the negative SH4 crap lately. If you have a problem with this, take it up with the management.


RDP

It seems that there is an epidemic of blaming personal problems on Ubi. Two shrill threads lately said SH4 didn't run and if they didn't fix it (fill in the blank) and both turned out to be hardware or software conflicts. SH4 isn't perfect by any means. It's only the best game I've ever played, even better than SH3. That is saying a lot, because SH3 is a work of genius with much more compelling subject matter, even for this American.

Would I love to do night surface attacks? Would I love to be able to work the four different kinds of sonar on the real fleet boats? Would I love it if destroyers didn't ping you just because you are at the wrong aspect ratio and range and instead showed real AI? Would I love to send range and bearing directly from radar to TDC? Would I love to be able to manually enter any range into the TDC? Would I love to be able to input by the numbers for bearing, AoB or target course into the TDC? Would I love to have an in-game whiz wheel? Would I love to have periscopes that modeled the actual optical qualities (lousy) of the periscopes at night? Would I love to have control over the ballast system to be able to trim angles and compensate for flooded compartments and flood negative for quick diving? Would I like the boat to respond to the diving planes and dive quicker under way than at rest? Would I like patch 1.6? Would I like a couple of million dollars?

:up::up::up::up: :up::up::up::up:

But if I never see one item on that list I'm happy as I can be with the best submarine simulation the planet Earth has ever seen and I'd be satisfied to play it for years just the way it is.

Now where's my thermostatically controlled oven? The damn game is fatally flawed if I don't get my thermostatically controlled oven. Dick O'Kane got his and I want mine or I'm going back to the Atlantik. Demand patch 1.6!!!!!! Ubi released a defective game without a thermostatically controlled oven! Call every 10 minutes until they shrivel up and die!!!! We get a thermostatically controlled oven or we bring this evil capitalist company to its knees! They hurried, released it too soon just so they could make evil profits and we suffer without our thermostatically controlled oven. Nobody should ever buy a Ubi product again!

[ReallyDedPoet]

Now where's my thermostatically controlled oven? The damn game is fatally flawed if I don't get my thermostatically controlled oven. Dick O'Kane got his and I want mine or I'm going back to the Atlantik. Demand patch 1.6!!!!!! Ubi released a defective game without a thermostatically controlled oven! Call every 10 minutes until they shrivel up and die!!!! We get a thermostatically controlled oven or we bring this evil capitalist company to its knees! They hurried, released it too soon just so they could make evil profits and we suffer without our thermostatically controlled oven. Nobody should ever buy a Ubi product again!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


RDP

[Snuffy]

... Would I love to do night surface attacks? Would I love to be able to work the four different kinds of sonar on the real fleet boats? Would I love it if destroyers didn't ping you just because you are at the wrong aspect ratio and range and instead showed real AI? Would I love to send range and bearing directly from radar to TDC? Would I love to be able to manually enter any range into the TDC? Would I love to be able to input by the numbers for bearing, AoB or target course into the TDC? Would I love to have an in-game whiz wheel? Would I love to have periscopes that modeled the actual optical qualities (lousy) of the periscopes at night? Would I love to have control over the ballast system to be able to trim angles and compensate for flooded compartments and flood negative for quick diving? Would I like the boat to respond to the diving planes and dive quicker under way than at rest? Would I like patch 1.6? Would I like a couple of million dollars?

Ummm ... I dunno.

I know I would ... :88)

[Winston Caine]

But if I never see one item on that list I'm happy as I can be with the best submarine simulation the planet Earth has ever seen and I'd be satisfied to play it for years just the way it is.

I agree, I'm not saying SH4 is bad (hell, I wouldn't play it if it were, would I?), but we always have to ask for more, it's in the human nature.
The problem is, if they made a game with an oven thermostat, the sales would drop by at least 50%. I think lays should have a chance to get in the game too, and I think the realism settings have taken a great care of it.
God save the modmaking community.

[ReallyDedPoet]

But if I never see one item on that list I'm happy as I can be with the best submarine simulation the planet Earth has ever seen and I'd be satisfied to play it for years just the way it is.
I agree, I'm not saying SH4 is bad (hell, I wouldn't play it if it were, would I?), but we always have to ask for more, it's in the human nature.
The problem is, if they made a game with an oven thermostat, the sales would drop by at least 50%. I think lays should have a chance to get in the game too, and I think the realism settings have taken a great care of it.
God save the modmaking community.

In the age of FPS\consoles, etc., I am not sure if we could appease the greater audience, besides why water :lol: the game down to go in that direction. The series can't please all people.

Yeah, I agree as far as the realism settings, I was drawn to the game initially because of that. And yes, we owe much to the great modding community here.


RDP

[jazman]

Now where's my thermostatically controlled oven? The damn game is fatally flawed if I don't get my thermostatically controlled oven. Dick O'Kane got his and I want mine or I'm going back to the Atlantik. Demand patch 1.6!!!!!! Ubi released a defective game without a thermostatically controlled oven! Call every 10 minutes until they shrivel up and die!!!! We get a thermostatically controlled oven or we bring this evil capitalist company to its knees! They hurried, released it too soon just so they could make evil profits and we suffer without our thermostatically controlled oven. Nobody should ever buy a Ubi product again!
Now this is going too far. I'd be happy with a fryer.:)

[Torplexed]

Now where's my thermostatically controlled oven? The damn game is fatally flawed if I don't get my thermostatically controlled oven. Dick O'Kane got his and I want mine or I'm going back to the Atlantik. Demand patch 1.6!!!!!! Ubi released a defective game without a thermostatically controlled oven! Call every 10 minutes until they shrivel up and die!!!! We get a thermostatically controlled oven or we bring this evil capitalist company to its knees! They hurried, released it too soon just so they could make evil profits and we suffer without our thermostatically controlled oven. Nobody should ever buy a Ubi product again! Now this is going too far. I'd be happy with a fryer.:)
I'll settle for a cheap microwave oven. I mostly need to reheat my cup of coffee when gaming. :cool:

[Ducimus]

(sarchasm)

Dammit,
This game sucks! I can't feel the wind on my face or the spray of the sea! I expect to smell the diesel fumes eminating from my monitor and the vibration of the engines on my chair! Where is the condensation dripping down on me? What about the heat? I expect to be in a sweltering steam oven when i go to silent running! WTF this game sux!

[elanaiba]

Cheers guys!

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1288/22112007011rw5.jpg

[-Pv-]

"...Would I like the boat to respond to the diving planes and dive quicker under way than at rest?..."

Tested:

Summer 1942 in the south pacific.
Boat: Early Gato without surface radar.
Crew: Above Average (between 60-70 compartment rating/shift.)

Test One:
Full Stop, full surface, batteries charged in 6 meter wind from the front.
Waves: Low to moderate.
Fuel: 80%
Torpedoes: Full Load.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
As angle increases, nose-down starts to create a +1 knot headway.
Conning tower under (no wake): 1 min, 44 seconds.
Passing 100 ft with planes still set to normal dive: 2 min, 20 seconds.

Test Two:
Ahead Flank +22.5 knots fully surfaced.
Weather, waves, fuel and torp load identical to test one.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
Conning tower under (no wake) in 1 min, 20 seconds.
Passing 100 ft while continuing normal dive in 1 min 34 seconds.

-Pv-

[Rockin Robbins]

Tested:

Summer 1942 in the south pacific.
Boat: Early Gato without surface radar.
Crew: Above Average (between 60-70 compartment rating/shift.)

Test One:
Full Stop, full surface, batteries charged in 6 meter wind from the front.
Waves: Low to moderate.
Fuel: 80%
Torpedoes: Full Load.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
As angle increases, nose-down starts to create a +1 knot headway.
Conning tower under (no wake): 1 min, 44 seconds.
Passing 100 ft with planes still set to normal dive: 2 min, 20 seconds.

Test Two:
Ahead Flank +22.5 knots fully surfaced.
Weather, waves, fuel and torp load identical to test one.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
Conning tower under (no wake) in 1 min, 20 seconds.
Passing 100 ft while continuing normal dive in 1 min 34 seconds.

-Pv-
Cool! Is everyone else seeing that as well? When did that start working right? I have to try it!

22½ knots? I'm jealous!

[ReallyDedPoet]

Tested:

Summer 1942 in the south pacific.
Boat: Early Gato without surface radar.
Crew: Above Average (between 60-70 compartment rating/shift.)

Test One:
Full Stop, full surface, batteries charged in 6 meter wind from the front.
Waves: Low to moderate.
Fuel: 80%
Torpedoes: Full Load.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
As angle increases, nose-down starts to create a +1 knot headway.
Conning tower under (no wake): 1 min, 44 seconds.
Passing 100 ft with planes still set to normal dive: 2 min, 20 seconds.

Test Two:
Ahead Flank +22.5 knots fully surfaced.
Weather, waves, fuel and torp load identical to test one.
Press D "Normal Dive" key and start (non-game) stopwatch.
Conning tower under (no wake) in 1 min, 20 seconds.
Passing 100 ft while continuing normal dive in 1 min 34 seconds.

-Pv-
Cool! Is everyone else seeing that as well? When did that start working right? I have to try it!

22½ knots? I'm jealous!

Holy **it :o Me too :yep:


RDP

[zylark]

Back to the OP...

What I love with sims like this, is the ability to "experience" the valours that define our history. Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of war. But I am very interested in how history have been made, and wars are more often than not major turningpoints on which we peg various major events and progress.

Goodness forbid I should ever experience conflict in a war situation, but I do enjoy the technical side of it. Be it sims or shooters. SH4 or CoD4.

The SH series, together with other good games is more an interactive history lesson, preserving valuable insights, experimenting with them. Not just a game.

Due to SH3 and SH4, I can guarantee I know more about WW2 sub warfare than just about anyone not connected to the history department at the local university. And that by itself, is a good reason to continue releasing games/sims that is based on actual events :) History is important FFS!

[leovampire]

When I adjusted the center gravity of the sub's it caused them to lean into and out of the dive's and surfacing. If you use an under water outside camera view where you can see it the sub no longer dive's almost level like it did in the past.

You can see in these pictures how much more the sub changes in angle of rise and desent since the center of gravity changes I made to the sub's.


http://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/reflections/112772/teutnnjlfh.jpg
http://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/reflections/112772/zafttdgkoo.jpg
http://static3.filefront.com/images/personal/r/reflections/112772/yfebvjllub.jpg

[ReallyDedPoet]

Cheers guys!

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1288/22112007011rw5.jpg
Thanks, I am staring at the clock just now and am a few hours away from having to go to work, ( well a few more than that but you get the point ) but just starting a new career, the game rocks :yep::up:

@ zylark: Indeed as you mentioned, history is important. I was always interested in the history before getting into this stuff\sims, but SH2, than 3 and now 4 has furthered my appreciation of those who were there, both the vets and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.


RDP

[ReallyDedPoet]

Now that 1.4 is here :yep: I will prob have to revise my first post ( see below if you have not read it already ). It's only going to get better :D


RDP



http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/images/icons/icon14.gif SH4 has been worth it !!!
I have been playing this game since it came out in March, from 1.0 up until 1.3, it has been my most played sim since that time and I don't see that changing anytime soon. When I first heard that UBI was putting out a Pacific Theatre Sim I was not all that enthused in the beginning. I was used to the Atlantic Theatre ( I can practically park the sub in my back yard ) having played SH2 and SH3. I did not know much about Fleetboats, or for that matter the War in the Pacific.

How things have changed :yep: First of all, despite the early bugs ( yes I know some still exist ) with SH4, it has been interesting watching this sim evolve through patches and all of the great mods that have been made up to this point. I have also enjoyed getting to know the history of the Paciic Theatre, although admittingly there is still much to learn. For those folks out there who say the theatre is dull, read this, from http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/

" The American fleet submarine may arguably be called the most successful naval weapon of World War II. The aircraft carriers got all the publicity, but it was the submarine fleet that destroyed most of the Japanese merchant fleet, isolating the home islands, crippling Japanese industry, and preventing resupply and reinforcement of Japanese island garrisons.

From America's entry into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, until the Japanese surrender was signed on 2 September 1945, American submarines were responsible for sinking more than half of all Japanese tonnage. This, despite the fact that the submarine forces comprised less than 2% of the Navy, and spent the first 18 months of the war battling the Navy bureaucracy over defective torpedoes. "

Does the game offer tension challenge? It is quickly getting there, fire up one of the compilation mods Trigger Maru: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=115258
or RFB:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=111770
and you'll see what I mean. How about campaign based mods, try Run Silent Run Deep: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=123467
Visual, unbelievable visuals at that, look no further than Reflections on Water or ROW as most know it: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122408

Here is a pic from that thread:

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/Defiance_co/3-1.jpg

From Chasing the Moon Thread

http://www.kickinbak.com/posts/chasing_the_moon.jpg

For various immersion based mods, try one of the fantastic radio mods, CBS, NBC, BBC and others, want to customize your conning tower check out sqk774s'
Kill Flags Mod:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=122870
or skin your sub, check out the work that Foofighter has done:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=113835

As well there are many other great mods ( sorry I did not mention more by
name or their authors, you know who you are ) that have been made and I am sure there are many to come, for a complete list go here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=118945

Is SH4 a perfect game, no. But it has come a long way since its early days and the future looks very bright going forward with 1.4 around the corner and I am sure many great mods to follow :yep::up: