What are the best Sub sims currently ...

[Hangman]

Afternoon sailors,

I have been out of the loop for several years. You know, stuck under the ice pack for 9 months, patrolling the high seas for ... who knows how long, and lost at sea after taking a beating from the air and limping through a hurricane to get stranded on some forsaken island. We had to ground the uBoat eighteen feet below the surface and then flood the sucker to get out.

Anyway, I am sitting on Silent Hunter II with all the mods. Love the game. And sitting on Janes 688i.

I was contemplating picking up 'Sub Command', but discovered the release of 2001 was a few years old in comparison to 'Dangerous Waters', 2006.
So I'm leaning more toward 'Dangerous Waters' for the fast attack modern subs, but am having a real decision stretcher with 'Silent Hunter'. I understand III is really good, and V really bites (DRM and what have you), and I don't know much about IV.

So, would you all please enlighten me as to what I could invest in for the next few years ??

Thanks.

[Sailor Steve]

SH3 is the most complete, with amazing new mods being done for it even today, five years after its release.

SH4 is newer and better in most respects, but early bugs kept if from getting the attention it deserves, so while there are some great campaigns for it, it hasn't recieved the modding attention that SH3 has. That is starting to change some, but it's going slowly. If you want to play with US fleet boats in the Pacific, SH4 is your only choice unless you pick up a cheap copy of 14-year-old SH1.

SH5 is incomplete at present, but shows signs of being the sim of the future.

[Blacklight]

My two mains are Dangerous Waters with either the LWAMI mod or the RA mod (I jump back and forth between them) and Silent Hunter III with GWX Gold and a bunch of other mods.

[Captain Nemo]

Out of Sub Command and Dangerous Waters I still prefer SC with the SCX mod. I must admit to not trying DW with the RA mod though which might make the difference and make me a DW fan instead. At present most of my sub sim time is dedicated to Silent Hunter 3 with GWX and a variety of other mods. I have SH4 but haven't got round to installing it. As for SH5, it looks great but is to demanding for my system, plus the DRM issue puts me off completely.

Nemo

[Hangman]

Well, I have made my investment.

I have purchased Dangerous Waters (I am in the process of playing 688(i) so the need is currently coursing through the veins), and then a thought struck me; Why make two transactions? So I purchased Silent Hunter III as well.
But then, another thought struck me; I now need the mod's. So, instead of downloading them all (as I am in the process of playing 688(i) and a captain learns to have a great deal of patience), I went and purchased the SuperDVD from Subsim.
So the three disks are being shipped my way as of this writing (Please try not to sink the container ship before it reaches port. I may have patience, but not THAT much patience).
Another thought has struck me recently; What are the hardware requirements for these two programs? I may have to update the hardware too. :D

[Bubblehead1980]

SH 4 1.5 with TMO 2.0 for US Fleetboats is best in my book.SH 4 with Real Fleet Boat(RFB) 2.0 with Run Silent Run Deep(campaign mod) is nice also.

If you want a working, well done up to date U boat game, get SH 4 1.5 with Operation Monsun by Lurker(covers German U boats in Atlantic, ETO and PTO) and is very well done.Im not much of a U boat fan but enjoyed ti when i did play.

SH 4 also has a new British U boat mod out called We Dive at Dawn, from the creator of Op Monsun and Run Silent Run Deep.SH 4 is way to go right now since SH 5 is new, buggy, requires you to always been online and frm waht can tell and have been told, its a sub game right now, not sure.One day im sure itll be great.

[FIREWALL]

Well, I have made my investment.

I have purchased Dangerous Waters (I am in the process of playing 688(i) so the need is currently coursing through the veins), and then a thought struck me; Why make two transactions? So I purchased Silent Hunter III as well.
But then, another thought struck me; I now need the mod's. So, instead of downloading them all (as I am in the process of playing 688(i) and a captain learns to have a great deal of patience), I went and purchased the SuperDVD from Subsim.
So the three disks are being shipped my way as of this writing (Please try not to sink the container ship before it reaches port. I may have patience, but not THAT much patience).
Another thought has struck me recently; What are the hardware requirements for these two programs? I may have to update the hardware too. :D

It's easier if you tell us your computer specs.:salute:

[Hangman]

It's easier if you tell us your computer specs.:salute:

I'm sure they will run on my tablet:
A Toshiba M700 w/ Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 2.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB - 2 gig ram - 160 gig HD - running Windows 7 64bit.
The only concern I have is the video:
12.1" diagonal widescreen LED backlight LCD @ 1280x800 native res. (WXGA) running from a Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 w/ 8MB to 251MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory.
I've run into issues with other software because of the 'shared' graphics memory.

But my desktop, ... now that's a dinosaur. It's in serious need of upgrading. 1.2 GHz processor, 800MB ram, 1.2 gig HD, 4MB video card (it's so old, I don't remember the brand or any specs), running Windows XP Pro. This thing is still connected to the fat-boy, ... the boat-anchor, ... an old CRT monitor. It still works so I'll still use it.

Just haven't had the time &/or money at one point or another (you know, economic situations and all).

[Spike88]

You should be able to run Dangerous Waters on both
Here are the system requirements:

Minimum: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP, 550Mhz CPU, 128 MB RAM, D3D Video Card with 32MB RAM (DirectX 9.0b drivers), DX9 Sound Card, 590MB hard drive space, Internet or LAN connection for multiplayer
Recommended: 1GHz+ CPU, 256 MB RAM, D3D Video Card with 64MB RAM (with DirectX 9.0b compatible drivers), 1GB hard-drive space




As for Silent Hunter 3
Your laptop should be able to run it, but your desktop would chug along.
Here are the system requirements:



OS: Windows 2000 / XP
Processor: Pentium® III 1.4 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 1.4 GHz (Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or AMD Athlon 2.0 GHz recommended)
Memory: 512 MB
Graphics: 64 MB (128 MB video card recommended)(see supported list*)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0
Sound: Direct X 9.0 compliant PCI card
Hard Drive: 1.5 GB
*Supported Video Cards at Time of Release Nvidia® GeForce™ 3/4/FX series (GeForce 4 MX NOT supported)ATI® Radeon® 8500/9000 families or newer
Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. These chipsets are currently the only ones that will run this game.





As you stated, the graphics card in your laptop is the biggest set back.

The other issues is I'm uncertain on whether or not both games will work on Windows 7. Although by running them as admin, running them under XP and or adding them to the list of exceptions in your DEP you shouldn't have any problems.

[McHibbins]

Two words, one number : Silent Hunter 4 (with mods of course)

[Spike88]

Two words, one number : Silent Hunter 4 (with mods of course)

He'd definitely need to upgrade to get Silent Hunter 4.

[Hangman]

He'd definitely need to upgrade to get Silent Hunter 4.

Hopefully in the next year or two. I'm pulling roughly 14 hour days at the moment (commute takes up almost 4) and finances are as tight as a U.C. from the early 20's. With the heat of summer rolling across the northern hemisphere, the weekends are too short for a good stint in an LA Class or Kilo, let alone a run in a uBoat.

This is going to be a long, slow sail. But come winter the activities in the Atlantic will pick up and then perhaps I'll get promoted to the Pacific realm.


Question for you all;
I have recently received the DW disks (SHIII is still in transit), but have yet to install them. I am assuming the game will require the disk in the drive to run the program (there was no CD Key or registration number on the case <it is new, not used>), so my question is this: Does anyone create a copy of their disk so they don't 'wear out' the original or in case it gets scratched or something ??
If so, how easy is it to do this ?? I would assume the company would have some sort of protection so the disks aren't copied in mass and redistributed.
I haven't seen any posts regarding a NO-CD patch or something so the disk doesn't have to be used, but is there one ??

Thanks.

[Spike88]

No-CD patches, Cracks, and burning discs are a sore topic around here due to them being so close to piracy. :up:

As for DW though, I believe it doesn't require the disk and just runs off the HDD although I'm unsure, because I have the steam edition that only requires steam to be running.


Now for Silent Hunter 3, If you have the last patch installed you do not need the disc to play it.

[McHibbins]

Can only speak for the gold version of SH4. It comes together with U-boat missions and is patched to 1.5 (which is the last official one). This version doesn´t require the DVD.

And yes....for SH4 an upgrade is strongly recommended.

[Gorshkov]

- WWII era sub-sim: now there is only SH4+UBM game worth mentioning of course with good supermods on both sides (OM+OMEGU for Germans and RFB/TMO for Americans). Don't think about SH3 - this is a thing of the past. Don't contemplate SH5, either - this is a song of distant future!

- modern sub-sim: there is no much choice here, only Dangerous Waters 1.04 with mods like LWAMI and DWX. You should try them both.

[ichso]

I read a lot of bad things about SH5 and am not going to spend money on it. Some time ago (when I still had fun with SH3) I bought SH4 on a low budget price together with UBM and never looked back since.

Ok, I looked back once but realized that there is no way back to SH3 for me. SH4 has just become too nice with the right mods installed.

About modern subsims, there isn't really much choice and you would have to go with older products like Dangerous Waters. Which is at least said to be excellent gameplay-wise.

[Hangman]

- WWII era sub-sim: now there is only SH4+UBM game worth mentioning of course with good supermods on both sides (OM+OMEGU for Germans and RFB/TMO for Americans). Don't think about SH3 - this is a thing of the past. Don't contemplate SH5, either - this is a song of distant future!
< ... >


Now my curiosity has risen. Granted I haven't read much on the SHIV threads but what I have read, I was to the understanding the SHIV was for the Pacific war; US vs Japan. I was under the impression that - for all intensive purposes - SHIII & SHIV were basically to work together. SHIII being for the Atlantic campaign, SHIV for the Pacific.
Now obviously they are two different programs, but are you saying you can run either the Atlantic OR the Pacific campaigns in SHIV ??
I have loved playing SHII for a long, long, long time and want to continue the effort. And I understand SHIII is just an incredible update to SHII. But if you can run both campaigns in SHIV, then what was the purpose of SHIII ?? Why would anyone want to continue with, or purchase for that matter, SHIII when you have SHIV that will do the same thing ??

I am going to need more info regarding SHIV, would you all please elaborate in detail the joys & thrills of SHIV. I thank you for the enlightenment.



Well, someone went and torpedo'ed the merchant vessel with my SHIII disks aboard.
I received notice the other day:
We regret to inform you of the loss of your product. Due to circumstances beyond our control, your order has been cancelled.
The merchant ship 'Markarel' has not made port on July 23rd as expected and we fear she is lost at sea. Last contact with the merchant was July 18th.
We mourn with you for the loss and can only hope for a better future.
Thank you for you patience and understanding in these trying times.
Perhaps for the better, ... I really need some encouraging words right now (SHIV - tell me more) to keep my head above the waters of depression. :03:
Thanks guys.

[ichso]

SH4 is intended to represent the pacific theater, thats right.

Though, the addon UBM stands for U-Boat missions and gives you the opportunity to take on the role of the german 'monsun boats' that where also active in the Pacific to assist the Japanese.

But there are (cost free) mods that also give you the whole atlantic theater for SH4, too.

Check out the ATO mods forum for SH4, especially look for the Ops Monsun supermod.

[Kaye T. Bai]

Unfortunately, there are still no modern submarine simulators on the market today, other than Dangerous Waters, which is aging very badly now.

[Hangman]

Unfortunately, there are still no modern submarine simulators on the market today, other than Dangerous Waters, which is aging very badly now.

You know, these are NOT encouraging words. :nope: What kind of Kapitan are you ?? ;)

You're not suppose to tell me this. I just invested in this and am trying to get all the patches and mods for it now.

Still, it's gotta be a little better than Janes 688(i) doesn't it ?? I've been running 688(i) for a while and - although I love the game and enjoy playing it - I'm hoping this is a good upgrade to the current.
Anotherwords, for me this is new and exciting.

[Takeda Shingen]

Unfortunately, there are still no modern submarine simulators on the market today, other than Dangerous Waters, which is aging very badly now.

Dangerous Waters is a simulation in the truest sense. If you want pretty pictures, then it is not for you. If you want the most accurate modeling of real-world combat systems available to the civilian market, then it is a must-buy.

[Ducimus]

Both my personal, and objective opinion is SH4 is the best sub sim right now.

A few of the reasons why i think this.

While SH3 has some minor functions that work, with the same minor functions not working in SH4 or SH5 - it is showing it's age. SH3 was made in the day when most people were using standard resolution CRT monitors. The technology standard of today has left it behind, and the game is hideously slow to load. And although some minor functions work (such as crew changing to wet weather gear in rough seas), as a simulation it offers nothing unique.


SH4, while having some minor functions that don't work, that worked in SH3, (again, such as crew changing to wet weather gear in rough seas), as a simulation it has everything that SH3 does. What's more you have the options of two different nationality and theaters, and more choices of submarines to use then ANY other SH title. The game loads quickly, and the graphics upgrades are well enough. So it sit's as just that happy medium between functionality, and graphical upgrades. If Uboat centric modders spent as much time with it as the Fleet boat centric modders have, there would be no debate as to what game platform is the best.


SH5 has even less working functions, and is quite frankly, hobbled, though the graphical upgrades and full interior's are nice. It offers only one type of submarine, in one theater, for only half the war. Nevermind the intrusive DRM. SH5 is a "maybe, someday" game. Something to put away on a shelf, and re examine a year or two from now when the DRM is gone, and modding progression to an advanced stage.

[Hangman]

<snip>
< ... > you have the options of two different nationality and theaters, and more choices of submarines to use then ANY other SH title. The game loads quickly, and the graphics upgrades are well enough. So it sit's as just that happy medium between functionality, and graphical upgrades. If Uboat centric modders spent as much time with it as the Fleet boat centric modders have, there would be no debate as to what game platform is the best.
< ... >

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, I really appreciate the info.

You're comment Ducimus brought about a question I have been meaning to ask.
I have noticed there are two versions of SHIV, a standard and a gold package. Would it matter at the moment which one to invest in, or would it be best - seeing how things are at the present - to invest in the Gold package ??

[Ducimus]

Get the gold edition.

It contains the expansion pack, "U boat missions", and patch 1.5 which was never published seperately. So having that is crucial. It opens up the german side, and all supermods regardless of uboat or fleetboat are built upon that version of SH4.

If you hear reference to SH4 version 1.5, they mean SH4 + UBM, which is what the gold edition is.