Please recommend me the right sub game

[JasonKR]

Hi. The first sub game I ever played that got me interested in the sub genre was Das Boot (1990), and even today I absolutely love it. The ONLY things "wrong" with the game, despite that it is now completely outdated, was that there were a lack of missions (only 5 or 6) and no mission editor - which also meant traveling places were limited only to the North Atlantic, Arctic, Gibraltar Strait, and Bay of Biscay. So I'm looking for another sub game based more or less on the same idea as Das Boot (1990), where the emphasis is on stealth, immersion, claustrophobia, suspense, and very long missions. Must not purely be based on warfare. Must be relatively easy to master, must have a decent mission editor, missions should have at least some form of "randomness", and must be able to travel anywhere in the world - One of my ambitions is to create a mission based in Antarctica where your sub must collect evidence or investigate whether the rumour that Hitler survived and escaped to Antarctica was true or not. (even though we all know this was highly unlikely :) (Does anyone know such a mod that might already exist for a sub game already?) Good graphics are not my concern at all, but good strategic gameplay is a must. So are there any sub games out there that can fulfill my expectations? Any suggestions? Any input will be appreciated.

[Skybird]

You should mention whether you want WWII-style gameplay, or modern subs.

For the first, there are Silent Hunter 3, 4 and 5 (check carefully for how they run under what OS, I don't know that for sure).

For the latter, Dangerous Waters (same word of caution like above).

There are subsections for both titles at this board where you can ask for specific feedback and find info.

DW offers you also control over a modern frigate, ASW helicopter, and several modern-era Western and Eastern unclear and conventional submarines. Its more sim-heavy than SH, more study-sim-like. Warning: the manual is extremely thick, 3 cm.

[Rhodes]

Welcome JasonKR :salute:!

As Skybird said, WW 2 sub sims and with all the vibe you want: Silent Hunter 3+GWX+Several Mods; Silent Hunter 4 (US/Pacific)+Triger Maru+RSRD+ other mods and Silent hunter 5+several mods. Any one of these can be found on their sub-forum.

Here, on GT you can have the claustrophobia, suspense, and very long missions and other crazy life stuff! :woot:

[JasonKR]

I have PCs that run on XP, Win 7, 8, and 10 but I mostly use XP for gaming. Okay, so what about 688i Hunter Killer or Sub Command? They say Sub Command is the same except you can control 3 subs instead of just one. However, they also say that controlling the 688i in Sub Command is not as nice as controlling the 688i in 688i Hunter / Killer. I already have Silent Hunter 2, 3, and 688i Hunter / Killer. Is it really worth getting Sub Command? Or should I just invest my free 3 hours a day in the sub games I already have? Will installing all the patches for 688i make much improvements? I dont think I should get DW because I dont want to read a manual 3 cm thick and I dont see myself flying in the sky. lol. A bit on the heavy side.

[Skybird]

Dangerous Water is the successor to Sub Command. Sub Command followed 688i.

All games should run if you use WinXP.

Monitor ratios (16:10 versus 4:3) can be an issue, though. 4:3 mode on monitor, or mods curing it, are the answer. Or live with the distortions.

[Onkel Neal]

You should mention whether you want WWII-style gameplay, or modern subs.

For the first, there are Silent Hunter 3, 4 and 5 (check carefully for how they run under what OS, I don't know that for sure).

For the latter, Dangerous Waters (same word of caution like above).

There are subsections for both titles at this board where you can ask for specific feedback and find info.

DW offers you also control over a modern frigate, ASW helicopter, and several modern-era Western and Eastern unclear and conventional submarines. Its more sim-heavy than SH, more study-sim-like. Warning: the manual is extremely thick, 3 cm.


That's a very good summary, Skybird.

Jason, you are correct, Sub Command is a better choice to begin with, it is a little more user friendly than DW.

You cannot go wrong with SH3 or 4, and there is also a great title called Crash Dive that is a lot like the older subsims Aces of the Deep and Silent Hunter I. You can check it out here. (http://www.subsim.com/reviews/review_crash_dive.php)

[JasonKR]

So based on my preferences in my first post, unless you think I am making a mistake, perhaps I should experiment around with both 688i H/K and also Sub Command? And keep Silent Hunter 2 and Silent Hunter 3 on my PC just for the sake of WW2 history?

Does this seem like a good investment for precious time?

(Ok Neal, will check out Crash Dive when I have time. Just want to regularly play one (maybe 2) sub game(s) that isn't too contemporary but not too old.. and not too complex but not too unrealistic :)

[Skybird]

Go all the way and DW. It is SC - plus then some more. And more subs to chose from.


Playable Surface Units (U.S. Guided Missile Frigate)


Oliver Hazard Perry class FFG

Playable Air Units


SH-60R Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopter
P-3C Orion ASW Maritime Patrol Aircraft

Playable Submarine Units (Russian Diesel Attack Subs)


Improved Kilo class (Project 636)
Kilo 'Paltus' class (Projects 877/877KM)

Playable Submarine Units (Chinese Diesel Attack Subs)


Improved Kilo class (Project 636)
Improved Kilo class (Project 636 Klub capable)\
Improved Kilo class (Project 877E)

Playable Submarine Units (Russian Nuclear Attack Subs)


Improved Akula I class (Project 971U)
Akula II class

Playable Submarine Units (U.S. Nuclear Attack Subs)


Improved Los Angeles 688(I) class
Seawolf class


Seawolf, 688(I) and Akula


I played SH3 very much back in those days. Good value for money. Good atmosphere: lonely, isolated, with according Grammophone mods. I like it better than SH4, still. On XP, it should not give you problems.

Neal is right, I forgot the relatively new Crash Dive. Think of it as a mix of Silent Service II and SH3. Also available on android tablets (the version I know).

And do not buy two at the same time. Each of these titles, with the exception of Crash Dive, is very time-consuming. DW will need you to study stuff.

P.S. If going DW, try to find a second-.hand spiral book of the manual. Its mworth it and looks quite impressive on your bookshelf. As I said, 3 cm thick.

No need to run 688i and SC both. Choose SC over 688i. I would also choose DW over SC.
.

[JasonKR]

Go all the way and DW. It is SC - plus then some more. And more subs to chose from.



I played SH3 very much back in those days. Good value for money. Good atmosphere: lonely, isolated, with according Grammophone mods. I like it better than SH4, still. On XP, it should not give you problems.

Neal is right, I forgot the relatively new Crash Dive. Think of it as a mix of Silent Service II and SH3. Also available on android tablets (the version I know).

And do not buy two at the same time. Each of these titles, with the exception of Crash Dive, is very time-consuming. DW will need you to study stuff.

P.S. If going DW, try to find a second-.hand spiral book of the manual. Its mworth it and looks quite impressive on your bookshelf. As I said, 3 cm thick.

No need to run 688i and SC both. Choose SC over 688i. I would also choose DW over SC.
.

Oh I see why... yes there's no need to have both of the same kind of sub games. Thanks.