Silent Hunter III, IV, or V?

[Rangoon]

A few years ago, with help from members here, I had some seriously good times playing Silent Hunter III with a choice mod or two (GWX 3.0) which helped track/manage my crew and I can't remember what else. At the time it was recommended that SH3 with mods was better than anything SH4 could offer.

Where are things now? I'm looking for a study sim, with emphasis on sandbox realism. SH3 with mods certainly was doing that for me, but of course it has only aged more since I last played it. SH5 I think was just coming out then, and SH4 was only beginnig to mature with mods but wasn't yet where SH3 was.

Is the experience I'm looking for possible with SH5? Is SH4 now where it's at? Or is SH3 still the best experience for just being given a sub to command, getting out there and doing it more or less manually? I read all the time that SH5 was oversimplified and basically a wrong turn for the series.

[les green01]

I play both sh3 and 4 I think with the proper mods 4 is better than 3

[TorpX]

I would give SH4 a spin.

It has certainly been improved by mods. I don't know that it will ever have the selection of mods that SH3 has; many like U-boats, and just gravitated back to SH3, or went for the novelty of SH5. This undermined modding efforts to some degree.

However, SH4 is more stable.

I would advise you to get v 1.5 (ideally, the 'Gold Edition' on disc), if you don't already have it. Most of the mods are made for that version. If you play on an earlier version, you will be handicapped.

[Red October1984]

I personally think SH4 is all around the best bet.

Even though i've had soooo many hours of fun with GWX.....sooo many patrols...

With SH4, you can have options. American Fleet Boats in the Pacific, or German U-Boats all over the world. And even then, there are still mods for British subs and Russian subs.

I like it and recommend it to anybody who'll listen.

EDIT: Yes, it's very important you get the Gold edition or you buy the U-Boat Missions expansion if you want to mod at all.

[Rangoon]

Thanks for the input, guys.

...or went for the novelty of SH5.

What was the novelty of SH5? Just improved graphics or was there something actually special in that version?

I would advise you to get v 1.5 (ideally, the 'Gold Edition' on disc), if you don't already have it. Most of the mods are made for that version. If you play on an earlier version, you will be handicapped.

I own SH3 and SH4+U-boat expansion on Steam. That should suffice?

Even though i've had soooo many hours of fun with GWX.....sooo many patrols...

Yeah, I had just gotten into a groove with GWX and was loving it, but life sidetracked me and I never got back to it. I have always felt unfulfilled because I didn't get to truly tap into that experience. Do you think I will find something at least that immersive then in SH4 with mods?

With SH4, you can have options. American Fleet Boats in the Pacific, or German U-Boats all over the world. And even then, there are still mods for British subs and Russian subs.

Are there Allied subs in SH3 that are not included in SH4?

[Sailor Steve]

I still prefer SH3 for a couple of reasons, but play SH4 for a couple more. SH5 for me is out of the question because of my ancient decrepit computer, but I likely won't play it much when I finally get a decent modern rig.

What was the novelty of SH5? Just improved graphics or was there something actually special in that version?
The graphics are a major part of it, but the main difference was the ability to walk all around the sub. Not something I ever wanted but a lot of people like it. Then there is the whole "talking to the officers" thing, which is a great concept but poorly executed, as your crew's morale depends on saying the right things at the right time. The downside is that all this limited the options to the four main versions of the Type VII, with no other boats available.

I own SH3 and SH4+U-boat expansion on Steam. That should suffice?
I have them on disc, but from what I've heard you should be fine.

Yeah, I had just gotten into a groove with GWX and was loving it, but life sidetracked me and I never got back to it. I have always felt unfulfilled because I didn't get to truly tap into that experience. Do you think I will find something at least that immersive then in SH4 with mods?
You should. If you like u-boats then the Operation Monsun supermod will give roughly the same experience as a nicely modded SH3.

Are there Allied subs in SH3 that are not included in SH4?
That one I don't know. In SH4 you can actually command American subs, which is cool to me since I come from the SH1 era, and the original was a US Pacific game.

Among the things that keep me coming back to SH3 are SH3 Commander, which does some things that no other mod for any other game does, and the Merchant Fleet Mod, which adds more than 70 new merchant types to the game. Of course my ancient PC won't run it, but I've added a huge amount of names to SH3C's Ship Names function, and I'm hoping to someday actually get to see them.

Overall, I stick with SH3, but I play SH4 as well. You should have fun with either.

[Red October1984]

What was the novelty of SH5? Just improved graphics or was there something actually special in that version?

Yeah. What Steve said is spot on. *Really not much other than walking throughout the sub and talking to the crew.

*From what I understand

I own SH3 and SH4+U-boat expansion on Steam. That should suffice?

Yep :yeah:

Yeah, I had just gotten into a groove with GWX and was loving it, but life sidetracked me and I never got back to it. I have always felt unfulfilled because I didn't get to truly tap into that experience. Do you think I will find something at least that immersive then in SH4 with mods?

Honestly, I got way more into SH4 just because I love American Submarines and the Pacific theatre. I even attempted an AAR which I kept up with for a short time but quickly figured out after one patrol that I tried to do too much with it and real life got in the way.

My problem with writing stories is that I write too much and then I have to shorten it for some reason.

Are there Allied subs in SH3 that are not included in SH4?

Simply with the GWX mod or the other main supermods, no. SH4 has the Allied subs. I've never seen Allied subs for SH3 really at all. I know there was for SH2 with the Pacific Aces expansion (which you really must try sometime if you haven't)

I still prefer SH3 for a couple of reasons, but play SH4 for a couple more. SH5 for me is out of the question because of my ancient decrepit computer, but I likely won't play it much when I finally get a decent modern rig.

+1 I own SH5 but it's just gathering dust on my shelf. One of these days i'll come across a decent computer and I'll give it a whirl.

That one I don't know. In SH4 you can actually command American subs, which is cool to me since I come from the SH1 era, and the original was a US Pacific game.

SH1 is really fun to play sometimes. I like it more than Aces of the Deep. :arrgh!: :rock:

Among the things that keep me coming back to SH3 are SH3 Commander, which does some things that no other mod for any other game does, and the Merchant Fleet Mod, which adds more than 70 new merchant types to the game. Of course my ancient PC won't run it, but I've added a huge amount of names to SH3C's Ship Names function, and I'm hoping to someday actually get to see them.

There's a mod I never downloaded. It always looked kind of cool but here's the thing about SH3 vs SH4.

SH3 has sooooo many mods out there for it. More so than any other SH game I think. I'm happy with the mod selection for SH4, but if you really really want some options...pop on over to the SH3 downloads.

Overall, I stick with SH3, but I play SH4 as well. You should have fun with either.

I would say it's impossible to not have fun....but then I remembered some of the rather stupid things that have happened to my U-boat in SH3 and how empty the ocean seemed when I installed Real Traffic mods in SH4...

Pro Tip

Check for teeny tiny islands on the map while plotting the course. You might miss one when you don't zoom in all the way and you could ram into it.


I'm not saying i've done it several times or anything...

[World_Devastator]

Silent Hunter 4

[kvbrock82]

I was pondering the same yesterday. So many great mods and memories with SH3 and I think ill install it again on my laptop, though while browsing the forums I came across the Operation Monsun mod which basically opens up the European theatre on a SH4 platform..

Will be giving that a try today as its an answered prayer for me if it properly balances the sh4 graphics with sh3 gameplay..

[CCIP]

I would argue against that, actually. SH3 mods do have the advantage of having more time and manpower, which resulted in more little details for the mods, but as far as the core simulation and campaign goes, SH4's Operation Monsun is in no way less comprehensive than SH3's top mods (like GWX, NYGM, LSH, etc.) In fact, the campaign layers in OM (as in, all the dynamic traffic and mission assignments) are actually better in Operation Monsun than in any SH3 or SH5 mod out there so far (and I can say that, because I've done substantial work on SH3 campaigns as a modder a long time ago), because that's the specialty of the mod's creator - he's done an amazing amount of research and it shows. I can't recommend Operation Monsun enough.

The main thing SH3 has that SH4 doesn't is SH3 Commander, which is a very handy utility that adds a lot to the experience. Besides that, the difference is really little details/pros and cons. Personally, I actually prefer SH4+OM to any SH3 mod for German U-boat action, on average, although there are some pluses and minuses that make every SH flavour out there worth checking out!

[Rangoon]

The main thing SH3 has that SH4 doesn't is SH3 Commander

This comes up time and time again it seems, as a major "plus" of SH3 which sets it apart from SH4. I do recall using SH3 Commander back when I first got into SH3 w/GWX, and it definitely added to the experience. I have no concept for what kind of work goes into making a utility like that, or if SH4's code would accommodate something similar, but has there been discussion in the community about an SH4 Commander? Is there something possibly ruminating out there somewhere which will come about for SH4?

[CCIP]

has there been discussion in the community about an SH4 Commander? Is there something possibly ruminating out there somewhere which will come about for SH4?

There's been a lot of discussion back in the day, but nobody really took it up. The closest you'll find to something similar is this: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom//showthread.php?t=179908
It does give some nice flavour and context to your campaign, but does not actually affect anything inside the game in the same way as SH3 Commander.

As far as I know, by now all major modding work on SH4 has long stopped. There are a few new playable ships that pop up here and there, and there is some activity that I've seen in non-English (e.g. Russian) subsim communities for it, but that's about it. The only exception to this here that I'm aware of is iambecomelife's Wolves of the Kaiser mod, which is also going to have an SH3 version. Otherwise SH4 seems to be "retired".

[johnpera]

I love SH4 since patch 1.3 when they removed the necessity to have the disk in the drive to either play the game or use the map editor.

However IMHO SH3 is a much better game. I still play it more than SH4.

[d@rk51d3]

A couple of years ago I would have said sh3 + GWX.

But at the moment sh4 gold with OM is my "go to".

[Otto Fuhrmann]

I really enjoy them all to be honest, but I have a special place in my heart for SH3.

[Sailor Steve]

I had forgotten this thread until it was just brought up again. Upon rereading it I have to add 1 pro and one con for SH4.

Pro: Yes, the graphics are better, but the big things for me are the crew management that has the men rotating themselves for their shifts, and the whole 'Battle Stations' (General Quarters) thing, that puts the best man from each division in charge, giving the best possible configuration for the battle itself. Those two things keep me playing SH4 as well as SH3.

Con: The Type II. Yes, it's there. It also has 44 crew members. The real Type IIb had 25, and the IId had 28. I delete the worst of the crew until I have the proper numbers aboard, but it means that the game version of the boat will never be at peak efficiency.

Also, Lurker originally had the captain being a Kapitan zur See. I pointed out that Kapitanleutnant was the usual rank, and he adjusted it accordingly. Unfortunately it never varies. You can't start as an Oberleutnant or even just a Leutnant. For me it's a little frustrating.

[Platapus]

I really enjoy them all to be honest, but I have a special place in my heart for SH3.

My thoughts exactly I like SH3 and SH4, but there is something about SH3 that keeps me coming back.

Thanks modders :salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

I've come across a retail expansion disc called "Seawolves" for sh3: has anyone got that and what does it provide (I understand that some improvements to the graphics are included)?

[adrians69]

SH5 has it's plus points also, especially now with the Wolves of Steel mega mod. I admit it's a bit fiddly to get it going with having to patch the exe with TDW patcher, but well worth it. The AI is now very capable with the included IRAI, the UI is massively improved over stock with the NEW_UI mod, both of which are included in the mega mod. Also included are environmental mods, U Boat interior/exterior upgrades, U Boat equipment upgrades, automated scripts for handling the more tedious jobs, crew morale and ability upgrades, a fully working hydrophone and realistic navigation without any map contact updates including your own position! All your navigation information has to be plotted yourself with the navigator only giving you estimated fixes. All this is included in 1 mod now. SH5 really is excellent with this mod.

Adrian

[Rangoon]

SH5 has it's plus points also, especially now with the Wolves of Steel mega mod. I admit it's a bit fiddly to get it going with having to patch the exe with TDW patcher, but well worth it. The AI is now very capable with the included IRAI, the UI is massively improved over stock with the NEW_UI mod, both of which are included in the mega mod. Also included are environmental mods, U Boat interior/exterior upgrades, U Boat equipment upgrades, automated scripts for handling the more tedious jobs, crew morale and ability upgrades, a fully working hydrophone and realistic navigation without any map contact updates including your own position! All your navigation information has to be plotted yourself with the navigator only giving you estimated fixes. All this is included in 1 mod now. SH5 really is excellent with this mod.

Adrian

Thanks for the suggestion!

[CCIP]

I've come across a retail expansion disc called "Seawolves" for sh3: has anyone got that and what does it provide (I understand that some improvements to the graphics are included)?

Don't buy it. Although it does provide some original content and new units, some of it features work that was taken from modders without permission, which is a no-no for something that's a commercial product. Subsim does not endorse this.

It was also released early into SHIII's life, and since that time the content of mods like GWX, LSH3 and NYGM have surpassed it by a looooooong shot!