Very, very disappointed

[Drifter]

I know this post won't be popular with many here, and I hate to say this, because I was so excited, but I feel the need to post my honest opinion. So here it goes:

I am very, very disappointed with SH5. :nope:

Performance is not acceptable, user interface is one of the worst I have ever seen in my life, game play is way too arcadish, walking around the inside of the U-boot gets old very quickly, half the crew are missing, I feel like I'm playing an rpg instead of a historical U-boat game, the game is extremely buggy and barely even half-finished in my opinion (no surprise there). And don't even get me started on that stupid DRM garbage. After messing around with the editors for a few hours, I can now say that most SH5 game play features and mechanics are probably still hard-coded, and cannot be changed through scripting. So we might as well forget about creating all those 'dream features' we were thinking about.

All the above is not to say that modders won't improve SH5. I'm sure they eventually will- to some extent. But compared to the initial release of SH3, SH5 is a big, big step backwards in my opinion. In the end, I'm really not sure modders will be able to save SH5. I should have listened to my gut instinct before buying, but I gave in to the hype and excitement, like most others here. Who knows, in a year or so, a heavily modded SH5 might be comparable to vanilla SH3- maybe.

I feel like a ripped-off beta tester. Shame on you Ubisoft for releasing this steaming heap. :dead:

[ichso]

Suggestion @Neal: Two stickied threads: One for positive impressions, one for the negative ones. Seems reasonable looking at the amount of single threads going in only those two directions

[Drifter]

Suggestion @Neal: Two stickied threads: One for positive impressions, one for the negative ones. Seems reasonable looking at the amount of single threads going in only those two directions

Sounds good. And thanks for not flaming me for a having negative opinion of SH5. ;)

[The General]

Great news!! I just got my Download link a few moments ago, downloading now!:yeah: Wait...did you say something Drifter?

[CCIP]

I would say the opposite about SH3 and SH5 as far as their release state - imho SH3 was a lot worse and I'm still a lot more optimistic for this title, but I can undestand the frustration.

And I agree with the thread idea. It would help not skew the tone of the forum too much in either direction and help us deal with more specific points and other topics than "this game is great" vs. "this game is terrible".

[Dowly]

I have to agree with you on most parts. The game feels like it was just quickly slapped together, so many broken features and fatal (literally) bugs such as the seabed level not being where it looks like it is.

Modders will no doubt do wonders, but like you said, it's a step backwards which means more work for the modders to even get to the state SH3/4 was out of box.

Still, I'm enjoying it, I didn't have that many expectations when I found out it was using the same old engine (seen this with OFP->ArmA->ArmA 2 already).

Time will tell how it'll end up. :hmmm:

[Nordmann]

Sounds good. And thanks for not flaming me for a having negative opinion of SH5. ;)

Yes, I was surprised actually, we've got a lot of Knights in shining armour on here, ready to jump on threads which aren't boot-kissing Ubi left, right and bloody centre. Perish the thought that the negative points might actually have a basis in reality!

[michaelws]

You are not alone...but in good company. Many seem to share your opinion. I am one who has been spared because I object to the total online commitment...but that DRM thread has just been closed.

[Drifter]

You are not alone...but in good company. Many seem to share your opinion. I am one who has been spared because I object to the total online commitment...but that DRM thread has just been closed.

Someone closed it? *sigh*

[Heretic]

Sadly, Silent Hunters seem to always be born breech. Come back and give it another shot in 6 months. They do generally fix most of the biggest problems by then.

[Drifter]

Great news!! I just got my Download link a few moments ago, downloading now!:yeah: Wait...did you say something Drifter?

lmao

[Sailor Steve]

Sounds good. And thanks for not flaming me for a having negative opinion of SH5. ;)
But you didn't give a negative impression of the game - you gave an honest one. Most of the flaming I've seen so far it reserved for the posts that say "This game is crap!" without discussing it honestly.

As long as you're reasonable, you'd be foolish not to point out the bad parts.

[Drifter]

Sadly, Silent Hunters seem to always be born breech. Come back and give it another shot in 6 months. They do generally fix most of the biggest problems by then.

I remember when SH3 was released it was very buggy and broken. But not nearly as bad as SH5. The game design itself is just plain bad too, especially the rpg-style crap. Who's idea was that? I feel like I'm playing a submarine version of Oblivion. :shifty:

[CCIP]

I don't think there's a fanboy army here, either. There's a few crazies on both sides of this, sure (and I'd argue more on "this game sux!!1111" side, but I digress...) - but for the most part what you'll find here is guys with a vested interest in subsims succeeding and maybe even prospering. We all know that this is a game that's, shall we say, far from perfect. I just want to avoid a completely hopeless tone for now - it's still early days, there's still hope, and things are not completely bleak.

Otherwise, pointing out things wrong with the game is not only not taboo, but absolutely necessary at this point. We need Ubi to know what's wrong.

[Nordmann]

Someone closed it? *sigh*

Indeed, apparently Neal took exception to several members discussing rumours of, how shall I put it, certain enterprising individuals making a mockery of the DRM, and it's apparent failure to prevent their efforts.

[Drifter]

But you didn't give a negative impression of the game - you gave an honest one. Most of the flaming I've seen so far it reserved for the posts that say "This game is crap!" without discussing it honestly.

As long as you're reasonable, you'd be foolish not to point out the bad parts.

Thanks. Like I said, I was as excited as anyone here. I don't want to see SH5 fail. But I still cannot believe how many steps backwards SH5 took compared to the previous versions. What were they thinking? :nope:

[Onkel Neal]

I remember when SH3 was released it was very buggy and broken. But not nearly as bad as SH5. The game design itself is just plain bad too, especially the rpg-style crap. Who's idea was that? I feel like I'm playing a submarine version of Oblivion. :shifty:

You read my preview?

[Drifter]

You read my preview?

Yes, I did. I was figuring that the rpg element could be modded out eventually. But now it appears that it may be a permanent part of the game mechanics.

[Onkel Neal]

:-? Yeah. I haven't really paid that much attention to the RPG elements in my review, they are so shallow and unconvincing, there's no point in bothering with them. I'm focusing on the game aspects. With the open scripting structure, I think this will eventually be a decent game.

[Mad_Mark]

As a player of all the previous Silent Hunter games and Hundreds of other games I wll say now that in nearly 30 years of gaming this has without doubt the worst user interface I have ever seen and I would not give this game more than 6 out of 10 for that alone . I have tried playing it for the past 3 hours and have not even remotely enjoyed this game.
I cannot get past the rubbish control system that some idiot decided this series now required!
And that rudder what the hell is that all about?
And a stupid Key mapping that requires shift and another key when there are plenty of spare keys that could be utalised better.
Please mod this game to death soon so I can get some sanity out of this game, but please don't use any Clear Sky reject Beta testers for Future Mods like they used to test in developement.

[Noren]

It has issues, but now we hope it will be patched and possible to modify to a large degree. It was made to attract a larger crowd and one can argue that they succeeded in that regard.
The interface, point-upgrades to the crew, the cannon with a laserpointer and a map where you can click and change course in an instant (no compass!) all point to arcadeness. And the fact that there is'nt a comprehensive manual, the game is supposed to be intuitive! The game is also soled as in the adventure-genre - thats hilarious and sad at the same time.

Lets face it, simulation-fans are not the target customers in this edition of SH:5.

How can we get the devs/ubisoft to listen to us? Perhaps, only by mays of economics and it seems quite futile (how many of us 'nerds' are there?).

[Drifter]

:-? Yeah. I haven't really paid that much attention to the RPG elements in my review, they are so shallow and unconvincing, there's no point in bothering with them. I'm focusing on the game aspects. With the open scripting structure, I think this will eventually be a decent game.

I totally agree. I think the rpg element is beyond pointless. And perhaps it even kills frame-rates a bit. I looked in the editor and through character files at ways to get rid of the rpg stuff. But so far, it appears to be hard-coded in the exe.

[Agustus]

Going to have to toss my hat in the "disappointed" ring. The interface is maddeningly clunky. And walking around the sub is a novelty for about 30 minutes, then it becomes a nuisance not to mention how bad the collision detection is.

Even something as small as switching languages. In SH3 it was a simple Esc key, go to audio options and change to what you wanted. I was assuming it would be the same with SH5. Only to discover that you had to install the entire game with one language or the other using custom install - which I never do when it comes to games. Guess it would have been too much trouble for Ubisoft to include that in a "read me first" note? Had to uninstall and do a complete reinstall to get the German voices. Seriously annoying.

I'm like everyone else - want this game to be all that SH3 was. I don't know how many hundreds of hours I played that game it was so good. But looks like we're all going to have to wait until some patching gets done and the modders really take over.

Think I'm going to park this game for now and come back in six months. Damn shame - was really looking forward to it.

[CCIP]

I don't mind the RPG stuff, in fact I would welcome it more. But so far I'm rather underwhelmed at how it's implemented. If you're doing RPG (and I would argue that sims ARE ultimately a role-playing genre), you have to at least do it well. Crewmen with pre-scripted lines that they tell you once every patrol is really not cutting it as a role playing game...

In theory I don't see anything wrong with the idea. But to see it implemented in this way is really not encouraging.

[Drifter]

Just a funny example of one of the ridiculous broken aspects of SH5- Upon crash diving, everyone on top went below decks and locked the top hatch. I couldn't open the hatch to get in. The U-boat dove with me still on top. But I didn't drown or anything riding all the way down. Lol.

[Drifter]

Going to have to toss my hat in the "disappointed" ring. The interface is maddeningly clunky. And walking around the sub is a novelty for about 30 minutes, then it becomes a nuisance not to mention how bad the collision detection is.

Even something as small as switching languages. In SH3 it was a simple Esc key, go to audio options and change to what you wanted. I was assuming it would be the same with SH5. Only to discover that you had to install the entire game with one language or the other using custom install - which I never do when it comes to games. Guess it would have been too much trouble for Ubisoft to include that in a "read me first" note? Had to uninstall and do a complete reinstall to get the German voices. Seriously annoying.

I'm like everyone else - want this game to be all that SH3 was. I don't know how many hundreds of hours I played that game it was so good. But looks like we're all going to have to wait until some patching gets done and the modders really take over.

Think I'm going to park this game for now and come back in six months. Damn shame - was really looking forward to it.

Very well said. Besides the rpg element, I think that is one of the biggest killers for me- the hellish user interface. In all my years of gaming, it is probably the worst I have ever seen. Someone must have been stoned while designing it. Seriously.

[3DDevil]

I own every SH game that has come out until now... I was thinking of purchasing... but the DRM thing is a worry....

Sorry for the Noob questions.... but can you explain to me what the RPG components of SH5 are exactly? What scripted lines or....? sorry sort of missing what you all mean by RPG in SH5..... :doh:

[Drifter]

I own every SH game that has come out until now... I was thinking of purchasing... but the DRM thing is a worry....

Sorry for the Noob questions.... but can you explain to me what the RPG components of SH5 are exactly? What scripted lines or....? sorry sort of missing what you all mean by RPG in SH5..... :doh:

Your crew members skills can be added to or 'upgraded' through increases (over-charge batteries. etc). Plus, the captain has to keep their morale up. And something about the cook's magic soup. Lol.

By scripting, I meant game play features and mechanics.

[Drifter]

I just want to make one thing clear. I am not 'giving up' on SH5. There may still be some hope through a heavily modded user interface and less rpg element through modding. I just wanted to post my honest opinion of the game so far.

[Easy Tiger]

Just a funny example of one of the ridiculous broken aspects of SH5- Upon crash diving, everyone on top went below decks and locked the top hatch. I couldn't open the hatch to get in. The U-boat dove with me still on top. But I didn't drown or anything riding all the way down. Lol.
Haha! :haha:

"Stuff 'em, no one likes him anyway"

[CCIP]

Yeah, as I say, it's early days. As I also say, the clock is ticking.

[3DDevil]

Thanks for the reply Drifter... I must be getting old....

Now I dont own the game ...yet.... as stated, but I dont mind the idea of being able to 'upgrade' your crews abilities after they gain battle expierience. It was well known that a crew with a few missions under thier belt were far more likely to return home than the green maiden crew. So I guess to simulate this on the computer the RPG elements were introduced. Dont you want some benefit from the crew (i.e. upgrades) for all that time spent on missions?

Maybe its the old Dungeons and Dragons coming out in me.... (now I am showing my age).... if only I could find my OPTAGOOGANOL sided dice and roll a 6!!! yes... its a hit!!... down with that freighter!!.. MWAAHHHHH..... :DL

[CaptainHaplo]

OK - hold up. Quick question..... Dowly says this is built on the same Sh3/Sh4 engine???? I thought SH5 was getting a whole new engine??????

Also - @ Neal -

:-? Yeah. I haven't really paid that much attention to the RPG elements in my review, they are so shallow and unconvincing, there's no point in bothering with them. I'm focusing on the game aspects. With the open scripting structure, I think this will eventually be a decent game.

Uhm.... well that gives us a general guess where the review is going. I still won't be playing SH5 until the DRM stuff goes away, but something tells me that Ubi really needs the input.

@ the devs - guys, we are not beating you up. Your given a roadmap and you have to make the road fit it - we understand that. Never forget that with all our griping - we still appreciate the work you do. I know I do, I just cannot line the pockets of an exec at a publisher who made bad decisions on this game and made the road go through a swamp.. Hopefully some of you will become those executives one day, and if so, I hope you keep your openness to us as you have in the past.

[Drifter]

Thanks for the reply Drifter... I must be getting old....

Now I dont own the game ...yet.... as stated, but I dont mind the idea of being able to 'upgrade' your crews abilities after they gain battle expierience. It was well known that a crew with a few missions under thier belt were far more likely to return home than the green maiden crew. So I guess to simulate this on the computer the RPG elements were introduced. Dont you want some benefit from the crew (i.e. upgrades) for all that time spent on missions?

Maybe its the old Dungeons and Dragons coming out in me.... (now I am showing my age).... if only I could find my OPTAGOOGANOL sided dice and roll a 6!!! yes... its a hit!!... down with that freighter!!.. MWAAHHHHH..... :DL

I'm all for crews' skills automatically increasing over time. But the captain shouldn't be allowed to pick and choose 'super skills' for his crew. :)

[malkuth74]

This is my review of SHV. Its short and simple.

Silent Hunter 5 is like dating the very hot girl... But she has a problem, the problem is that everyonce in awhile she punches you in the face. But she is so hot that you keep trying. Eventually you learn when to block when the punch in the face comes, and get comfortable.

But then she kicks you in the ....... Well....

But she is hot, so you learn too.....:rotfl2:

[Onkel Neal]

LOL, at least she's hot!

[3DDevil]

I'm all for crews' skills automatically increasing over time. But the captain shouldn't be allowed to pick and choose 'super skills' for his crew. :)

I see your point, but I guess how else can they implement it into the game other than you being 'GOD' I mean... Kapitan!!...

[finchOU]

Whats the saying? Show me a Smoking Hot Woman and I'll find some dude who is tired of putting up with her S#$@! haha...I posted something to this affect with the realism vs graphics crowd a while back! Something like She is hot (graphics) ...but dumb a rocks (lack of realsim)...eventually you will get bored and move on.

[Samu*]

Automatic TDC doesnt work, its the number 1 bug for me so far. Just cant figure out why they had to basically change the whole target aquiring process from the sight of enemy vessel to the moment when torpedoes are launched. I mean there werent anything wrong with the old system from SH III. Now its much more arcade style with all the gauges missing etc.

I wasnt even able to accomplish the tutorial mission as I couldnt score any hits on those required vessels. And even if I could have accomplished, when I quitted game there came this dreadfull "Synchronizing saved games... failed to store saved games online" -message. Really good start with this DMR -****.

[Nick Holden]

And a stupid Key mapping that requires shift and another key when there are plenty of spare keys that could be utalised better.

Yikes. One of the nice things of Silent Hunter 3 & 4 is that the key maps (sans the function keys) are pretty much the same. You'd think that they'd want to stick with that with 5.

[Drifter]

Yikes. One of the nice things of Silent Hunter 3 & 4 is that the key maps (sans the function keys) are pretty much the same. You'd think that they'd want to stick with that with 5.

It seems that Ubi randomly pulled some stoned druggy off the streets to design the new interface in SH5. Hence, the 'psychedelic' layout. :doh:

[Charlie901]

Going to have to toss my hat in the "disappointed" ring. The interface is maddeningly clunky. And walking around the sub is a novelty for about 30 minutes, then it becomes a nuisance not to mention how bad the collision detection is.

Even something as small as switching languages. In SH3 it was a simple Esc key, go to audio options and change to what you wanted. I was assuming it would be the same with SH5. Only to discover that you had to install the entire game with one language or the other using custom install - which I never do when it comes to games. Guess it would have been too much trouble for Ubisoft to include that in a "read me first" note? Had to uninstall and do a complete reinstall to get the German voices. Seriously annoying.

I'm like everyone else - want this game to be all that SH3 was. I don't know how many hundreds of hours I played that game it was so good. But looks like we're all going to have to wait until some patching gets done and the modders really take over.

Think I'm going to park this game for now and come back in six months. Damn shame - was really looking forward to it.


My sentiments exactly.....

[UberMatz]

Maybe I think a little too simple to be logical, but... if the devs have been watching what is being modded, game after SH game, they could easily see the direction that the games core buyers are steering the game toward. Yet instaed of saying to themselves "hey... they've created a mod for that and this and this too for every release, maybe we should put that in from the start?!?!" But alas... they scrapped the entire GUI, scrapped the TDC, and replaced them with junk IMO.

Now don't get me wrong. I've always wished you could wander through the sub as if you were playing a FPS game, but even that isn't smooth. It's a good thing a bad guy with a gun isn't chasing me while I attempt to negotiate the ladders to the deck... that isn't even smooth!

With any luck, the game will improve by the unselfish, hard work of the mods. Until then, I'll just keep reminding myself not to try and cram a quarter into my PC everytime I load it up. :haha: