dmlavan
01-02-08, 11:30 PM
First, let me start by saying that there is an incredible amount of talent in the SH4 modding community, and they are every bit as dedicated as modders in any other community. They have made my experience w/ SH4 much better than it would have been relying solely on Ubisoft's product alone. That being said, after several weeks of SH4, I'm coming back to SH3 (GWX).
SH4 has its strong points (at this point I'm running SH4 w/ the great Trigger Maru (TM) mod, as well as the enhanced campaign of Run Silent / Run Deep (RSRD), plus a few other smaller mods). The missions are more diverse than patrolling an ocean grid - I've been assigned to rescue pilots, insert commando teams, and conduct photo recon of enemy harbors. After patrolling my area for a while, I've been assigned new missions while on patrol (thanks to the RSRD mod). Being on the winning side in the technology war is a definite advantage - I can use radar (at least in late 1942) w/ relative impunity. The graphics and "graphical features" are better. The American TDC is, at least in my opinion, easier to use than manual targetting on a U-Boat (although I consider myself proficient in manual targetting in SH3).
However, SH4 has its downsides. Graphically, the Japanese merchants all look the same shade of grey and rust. I miss the various colored ships of SH3 which gave it some diversity. I've been on numerous patrols and not encountered any Japanese escorts - including intercepting and sinking a heavy cruiser that was traveling alone and unafraid. I have not encountered any Japanese patrol aircraft other than A6M Zeros - not much of a threat once I submerge (not much of a threat if I'm surfaced, either).
The most important differences are hard to describe. SH3 w/ GWX has a more "real" feel to it, more of a sense of heading off into the unknown and facing adversity. Yes, the two theaters were very different, and while the American submarines became more dominant during the war the U-Boats became less effective. While I can't speak from experience, my impression is that SH3/GWX has a more authentic "feel" than SH4 despite some excellent mods.
Will I remove SH4 from my hard drive - no - I will probably go back and play it again every now and then. However, after having experienced both, I'm coming back to the Atlantic. I know we'll lose the war, but it's a better ride.
SH4 has its strong points (at this point I'm running SH4 w/ the great Trigger Maru (TM) mod, as well as the enhanced campaign of Run Silent / Run Deep (RSRD), plus a few other smaller mods). The missions are more diverse than patrolling an ocean grid - I've been assigned to rescue pilots, insert commando teams, and conduct photo recon of enemy harbors. After patrolling my area for a while, I've been assigned new missions while on patrol (thanks to the RSRD mod). Being on the winning side in the technology war is a definite advantage - I can use radar (at least in late 1942) w/ relative impunity. The graphics and "graphical features" are better. The American TDC is, at least in my opinion, easier to use than manual targetting on a U-Boat (although I consider myself proficient in manual targetting in SH3).
However, SH4 has its downsides. Graphically, the Japanese merchants all look the same shade of grey and rust. I miss the various colored ships of SH3 which gave it some diversity. I've been on numerous patrols and not encountered any Japanese escorts - including intercepting and sinking a heavy cruiser that was traveling alone and unafraid. I have not encountered any Japanese patrol aircraft other than A6M Zeros - not much of a threat once I submerge (not much of a threat if I'm surfaced, either).
The most important differences are hard to describe. SH3 w/ GWX has a more "real" feel to it, more of a sense of heading off into the unknown and facing adversity. Yes, the two theaters were very different, and while the American submarines became more dominant during the war the U-Boats became less effective. While I can't speak from experience, my impression is that SH3/GWX has a more authentic "feel" than SH4 despite some excellent mods.
Will I remove SH4 from my hard drive - no - I will probably go back and play it again every now and then. However, after having experienced both, I'm coming back to the Atlantic. I know we'll lose the war, but it's a better ride.