View Full Version : Destroyer: U-Boat Hunter First Impressions
Onkel Neal
09-24-22, 10:08 AM
Going to say right now, this game is a blast. It really looked promising last year when we got a chance to play the demo. There have been some really good enhancements with the AI and UI, and a lot of rough edges have been smoother. The team is continuing to improve the game and I'm pretty excited to play it. I believe once this hits Steam Early Access Sept 28 the devs will listen very closely to your feedback.
Definitely the best subsim release in the last 3 years!
https://youtu.be/90tR7yhqI14
Aktungbby
09-24-22, 11:04 AM
...than even Wolfpack!!?:timeout::k_confused::o Jeeze! Maybe we could get both developers to combine efforts alá SHII and Destroyer Command in a Greyhounds version for really wicked 'Sunday games'! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f3/Greyhound_poster.jpeg (Gleefully awaiting my $25.00 suggestion prize:D)
That's my biggest dream-A modern version of SHII and Destroyer command. Well the modern version of Destroyer is here
I have big hopes that this company will, after they have fixed the bugs, start to develop a human controlled subs.
So we once again can play on mIRC or similar.
Markus
Onkel Neal
09-24-22, 04:47 PM
...than even Wolfpack!!?:timeout::k_confused::o Jeeze! Maybe we could get both developers to combine efforts alá SHII and Destroyer Command in a Greyhounds version for really wicked 'Sunday g] (Gleefully awaiting my $25.00 suggestion prize:D)
It's on par with Wolfpack. Which was leased over 3 years ago.
Kal_Maximus_U669
09-25-22, 01:05 PM
Going to say right now, this game is a blast. It really looked promising last year when we got a chance to play the demo. There have been some really good enhancements with the AI and UI, and a lot of rough edges have been smoother. The team is continuing to improve the game and I'm pretty excited to play it. I believe once this hits Steam Early Access Sept 28 the devs will listen very closely to your feedback.
Definitely the best subsim release in the last 3 years!
Yaa-uh, I've been asked to wait until Monday to release the video.... till then :)
thx boss for your approach... :ouais: the least we can say... in the eyes of an expert... the level looks hot... :subsim:
Onkel Neal
09-26-22, 07:32 AM
Using radar, sonar, and the Mark V eyeball.
https://youtu.be/XHLKRWTw0Po
Kal_Maximus_U669
09-26-22, 10:24 AM
[QUOTE=Onkel Neal;2829298]Using radar, sonar, and the Mark V eyeball.
Hey Boss.. :D
it seems that you have sound problems...!!! during the stream I looked on my computer then on Iphone same problem of "schwinnement..." ... especially at the beginning
on your 2 posts since during the previous one it was the same here.. that said does not prevent you from watching I see that you are progressing... :har: compared to the first time..!! :timeout: it's excellent, I really like the approach, I think that some of the dinosaurs on the forum here will appreciate this game, moreover, I'm going to invest in it. Thanks to your video, it confirms my choice. :yep:
kind regards Kal Maximus U669 :salute::subsim:
Onkel Neal
09-26-22, 12:04 PM
[QUOTE=Onkel Neal;2829298]Using radar, sonar, and the Mark V eyeball.
Hey Boss.. :D
it seems that you have sound problems...!!! during the stream I looked on my computer then on Iphone same problem of "schwinnement..." ... especially at the beginning
on your 2 posts since during the previous one it was the same here.. that said does not prevent you from watching I see that you are progressing... :har: compared to the first time..!! :timeout: it's excellent, I really like the approach, I think that some of the dinosaurs on the forum here will appreciate this game, moreover, I'm going to invest in it. Thanks to your video, it confirms my choice. :yep:
kind regards Kal Maximus U669 :salute::subsim:
Howdy,
I have no idea what schwinnement is, perhaps there is a filter for it? :shucks:
I think you will enjoy it, us dinosaurs love these kind of games!
Kal_Maximus_U669
09-26-22, 01:17 PM
[QUOTE=Kal_Maximus_U669;2829326]
Howdy,
I have no idea what schwinnement is, perhaps there is a filter for it? :shucks:
I think you will enjoy it, us dinosaurs love these kind of games!
_schwinnement ..:ping:
see your machine settings and youtube sometimes it's next to nothing...
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853835?hl=fr
_us dinosaurs love these kind of games
yes I just got my hands on the demo.. I will watch tonight..
good continuation Boss my best greetings.. Kal Maximus U669 :salute:
Onkel Neal
09-27-22, 11:24 AM
or, in my case, Destroyer U-Boat Killer :arrgh!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD1P_JoAIkw
Kal_Maximus_U669
09-27-22, 04:16 PM
Mdr.. I had downloaded this demo not having had time to test..
the imminent release more demo...
well i will buy the game anyway..
Thank you Boss for your video... the last one the sound is impeccable.. :up:
les green01
09-28-22, 09:55 AM
just waiting for it to drop then i can download it
Halcyon
09-28-22, 01:45 PM
Widescreen support still hasn't been fixed. I reported this early on in the closed beta. Out of all the bugs the game has right now, this one is the biggest and the most impactful for me.
I can't see certain parts of the UI without widescreen support. It cuts off important features at the top and bottom of the screen.
If this is fixed I'll buy into Early Access, but right now it's a deal breaker for me.
Example:
https://i.imgur.com/gx4hHyD.jpeg
Sonarman
09-28-22, 02:05 PM
@ Halcyon hope that one gets fixed as a priority, I notice a few people on the Steam forums having that issue with Ultrawides.
Artur Salwarowski
09-28-22, 08:59 PM
Yes, I remember Halcyon mentioning it, but there we a few other very serious issues that we had to fix before that. However, I am happy to say that wide screen support seems to have been tackled, is currently in testing, and should work once the new patch rolls out (i.e. today).
Halcyon
09-28-22, 11:57 PM
Yay!
I bought it this morning (CEST) because I had to work last night and will go hunting for submarines next week when I'm on vacation. :Kaleun_Wink:
the_belgian
09-29-22, 02:21 PM
I did only yesterday hear from this for the first time so after some vids watching I bought it a few hours ago and now,24 hours after the first look,I'm hooked already.
Aktungbby
09-30-22, 01:09 AM
the_Belgian!:Kaleun_Salute:...after a 12 year 'silent run'!:up:
Uboots too fast if submerged, their turn radius is superior, there is no hydrophone just active sonar that you have to direct on uboot. Most effective tactic is to track the uboot with active sonar and letting smaller corvettes drop their deep charges, because they have much better maneuverability.
Onkel Neal
09-30-22, 10:42 AM
Hydrophone is part of the sonar reports, I believe, you get reports like "Loud propeller noise" which tells you the contact is speeding up.
Kal_Maximus_U669
09-30-22, 11:07 AM
I did only yesterday hear from this for the first time so after some vids watching I bought it a few hours ago and now,24 hours after the first look,I'm hooked already.
Yes I think it's already very good the atmosphere.. the difficulty..graphically very correct we without a good involvement of the devs...but let's wait.. since it's still early....
according to the devs there is still a lot to do...I really recommend...for the price... So treat yourself...:ouais:
I was just playing a short mission. I was chasing Able while my buddy went after Baker. Got a volley of depth charges fairly close, but not a kill. Continued to chase Able. He surfaced and I started letting him have it with the guns. Two direct hits with accompanying explosions. And suddenly ...
https://i.imgur.com/kqAbTNjh.jpg
Catastrophic Defeat
Convoy Losses: None | No Ships Lost
U-Boat Losses: Critical | 8 U-Boats Sunk
:hmmm::06:
I probably had 2/3 of the mission time left.
***EDIT: When I clicked on the above screen, the animation showing a U-Boat torpedoing a convoy ship played again. Then it went to the "Thank You" screen and the game froze.
Otherwise, I'm loving the game so far!
JacqueShredo
10-01-22, 01:31 PM
I've had this game on my Steam wishlist ever since it was announced. Seeing it finally release in it's early state is a dream come true. It's honestly hard to believe we have a game like this available to us with how niche of an audience it targets.
Even in it's early state the core gameplay is fantastic, the immersion of all the system stations is top notch. Knowing it's still early access while having developers who read the forums and care about feedback mean this game will be a classic sim
I really can't say enough about how enjoyable this game is :up: I can't wait to see how far the dev team takes it :salute:
Exact same thing just happened again.
https://i.imgur.com/X3EsJKM.jpg
Onkel Neal
10-01-22, 05:47 PM
Yeah, that's bonked.
Skybird
10-02-22, 11:00 AM
I watched the video some days ago, and I knew this title is in the making since some time, I have definitely set my sights on it, but will wait a bit longer due to the early development stage. Got burnt a bit too often with Early Access in the past couple of years. But postponed is not abandoned, I will get aboard in the future, no doubt. Looks very promising.
Do they plan for a timetable until completion within one year? That is accpetable for Early Access, if timetable stages are met. Everything beyond that imo is not "Early Access" but "premature release".
Sonarman
10-02-22, 11:36 AM
@ Skybird
I think the devs are projecting completion at about Q2 next year, the game is very playable and enjoyable at the moment and very stable (apart from the wierd results screens above and some issues for those with ultrawide monitors(devs are working on a hot fix), there are currently 3x skirmish missions of various sizes and also a customisable skirmish generator.
The main thing to be added will be the campaign. I am always a bit guarded about EA releases too, but I think the devs are very committed here and deeply into the subject matter so I decided to take the plunge. Also being part of the EA release allows you to make suggestions & comments which may be implemented by the devs to improve the game.
Someone mentioned Campaign-Which is a great thing in a war simulator game.
What I miss(haven't seen it in Neals video)is single missions.
There are lots of them-I can come up with one well known convoy-PQ17-Where you as the commander of your Destroyer not only have to handle subs but also surface ships and airplanes.
Markus
Just to be clear: there are plenty of times when things go right, too. I can only echo what JacqueShredo wrote above.
https://i.imgur.com/2peqENHh.jpg
:arrgh!:
JacqueShredo
10-02-22, 07:08 PM
Wow nice work Sean!
Did you get any gun kills? Landing 5 inch shells on a uboat is immensely satisfying in this game
Aktungbby
10-02-22, 07:30 PM
JacqueShredo!:Kaleun_Salute:I've had this game on my Steam wishlist ever since it was announced. Seeing it finally release in it's early state is a dream come true. It's honestly hard to believe we have a game like this available......on the surface after 3 years "silent running'!:up:
JacqueShredo
10-02-22, 07:39 PM
JacqueShredo!:Kaleun_Salute:...on the surface after 3 years "silent running'!:up:
Thanks for the welcome Akt! :salute:
Wow nice work Sean!
Did you get any gun kills? Landing 5 inch shells on a uboat is immensely satisfying in this game
After the two bugged results above, I decided to try being more conservative with the guns. I would fire once and then wait and see if the u-boat submerged. If it didn't I would fire again. I just wanted to keep the mission going. :D
So, no ... I didn't get any kills with the guns. And although I'd like to take credit for all 7 kills, at least a couple u-boats were sunk by the other escorts and/or air support. But at least that shows that the A.I. isn't incompetent. I suppose I can at least take credit for the brilliant leadership. :yeah::haha:
JacqueShredo
10-03-22, 09:31 PM
I can sympathize with you fully on that Sean
The first time I got a kill with guns my game went straight to the failure cutscene and I didn't know what was going on. I did the same thing again a few games later and realized its a bug! I'm sure they'll get it all sorted out in no time :up:
Either way that's some real nice results! :salute:
raymond6751
10-08-22, 10:04 AM
The game is a lot of fun, but is still a bit of an arcade shoot-em-up. I say that because your destroyer has an endless supply of DC. In addition to that, there should be a time gap between the explosions of the charges and the detection of a sub contact.
Currently, reported contacts come in roughly every 20 seconds, even following extensive DC attacks.
The other escorts never attempt an attack, and there is no way to order such.
Maybe someone already mentioned this, but the captain of the DD is wearing a uniform that is definitely not an American naval uniform. It is like the one Tom Hanks wore in the movie. US naval men never wore black shirts.
Otherwise, the game is a lot of intense fun. It will be even more intense when the subs can attack escorts.
:Kaleun_Applaud:
Halcyon
10-08-22, 03:23 PM
The other escorts never attempt an attack, and there is no way to order such.
You can order escorts to attack a target from the tactical screen.
schlechter pfennig
10-08-22, 05:20 PM
The other escorts never attempt an attack, and there is no way to order such.
1) Open up the Tactical screen,
2) Left-click the escort you want to select (its icon should highlight),
3) Left-click the target you want to attack (a dashed blue line connecting escort and target should appear),
4) Left-click the escort again to de-select it (its icon should dim).
What’s the status of the “overly fast/nimble submerged subs” issue? I read many harsh critiques of this on day 1, which I’m sorry to say dissuaded me from buying it at the intro discounted price, as much as I wanted it. I think it may have received one or more patches since, but I can’t find any information on what was fixed. I really would like to support a project like this … but not if it is going to be turned into an arcade game.
Onkel Neal
10-12-22, 07:17 AM
There's a lot of debate about this. The latest patch limits how much the subs can move submerge at high speed. They are still more maneuverable than an escort which I think makes sense.
It's nowhere near arcade. Ultimately I think they will need to have a difficulty level option: Easy, Medium, Hard because what one guy says is not challenging enough (always getting radar contact, u-boats surface too often) vanother guy says is too difficult (unrealistic u-boats).
There's a lot of debate about this. The latest patch limits how much the subs can move submerge at high speed. They are still more maneuverable than an escort which I think makes sense.
It's nowhere near arcade. Ultimately I think they will need to have a difficulty level option: Easy, Medium, Hard because what one guy says is not challenging enough (always getting radar contact, u-boats surface too often) vanother guy says is too difficult (unrealistic u-boats).
Thank you! I trust reviews from here much more than I trust reviews from random Steam users, so yours moves me back to a place where I’m once again inclined to add this one to my library.
Im so glad to play this game. We were waiting for such a long time a sequel of the old "Destroyer Command" (2002 !)
I regret only the choice of a destroyer Fletcher over-armed and over-equiped to escort the WWII convoys rather than a Flower corvette or an old british destroyer which were more usualy on this job, so we could play the game from open wheel-house on the top of the ship. Remember (Enigma rising tide) ?
But the enjoyment to see bow wave on heavy seas under sky cloudy , looking at the freighters like sheperd on his sheeps... that's great !!! :up:
Thanks a lot for the developers ! :yeah:
Onkel Neal
10-16-22, 10:14 AM
Thank you! I trust reviews from here much more than I trust reviews from random Steam users, so yours moves me back to a place where I’m once again inclined to add this one to my library.
Thanks! I do my best, sir. :Kaleun_Salute:
Onkel Neal
10-16-22, 10:16 AM
Im so glad to play this game. We were waiting for such a long time a sequel of the old "Destroyer Command" (2002 !)
I regret only the choice of a destroyer Fletcher over-armed and over-equiped to escort the WWII convoys rather than a Flower corvette or an old british destroyer which were more usualy on this job, so we could play the game from open wheel-house on the top of the ship. Remember (Enigma rising tide) ?
But the enjoyment to see bow wave on heavy seas under sky cloudy , looking at the freighters like sheperd on his sheeps... that's great !!! :up:
Thanks a lot for the developers ! :yeah:
If we make this game successful, don't rule out an extension like that. They already have the underlying system adding an additional vessel would be a reasonable step. They are not going to discuss it or promise but you know they would love that.
you know they would love that.
Great ! This game is allready a beautiful achievement : we have the convoy, the escort, the greywolves around ... and above all, the North Atlantic ocean so nicely rendered...
Aktungbby
10-16-22, 03:26 PM
Akrow7!:Kaleun_Salute:...on the surface after 2 decades'silent running'!??:yeah:
Akrow7!:Kaleun_Salute:...on the surface after 2 decades'silent running'!??:yeah:
:Kaleun_Salute: Hello Aktungbby !
Because of my poor English (thanks Wikipédia !) I use to go on Subsim only for reading or downloading .
During six years (2002-2008 with "www.mille-sabords.com" members we play a multiplayer chanpionship using maps and patchs (OSL, Projekt Messerwetzer...) from subsim. So i have to thank Subsim of plenty good time playng my favorite game so upgraded. :up:
https://akrow.pagesperso-orange.fr/Accueil.htm
Aktungbby
11-02-22, 07:48 AM
https://akrow.pagesperso-orange.fr/Accueil.htmhttps://akrow.pagesperso-orange.fr/Images/S0025.jpg Nice mancave!:O::up:
The battle of Atlantic is so hard, a cosy place well equiped id needed :Kaleun_Cheers:
Great ! This game is allready a beautiful achievement : we have the convoy, the escort, the greywolves around ... and above all, the North Atlantic ocean so nicely rendered...
Blimey. I know the Atlantic can have filthy weather and visibility, but it seems to me to be always fairly vile in game even when the skies are clear and in daylight. I may need to frig my graphics settings. I far prefer the old Silent Hunter seas....
Toybasher
11-10-22, 12:55 PM
Blimey. I know the Atlantic can have filthy weather and visibility, but it seems to me to be always fairly vile in game even when the skies are clear and in daylight. I may need to frig my graphics settings. I far prefer the old Silent Hunter seas....
I agree somewhat. Same with Wolfpack. Like with sunny, "clear" weather it still looks depressing and foggy. It's less foggy than actual foggy weather but it still isn't bright and cheery enough.
Kapitan
11-19-22, 06:18 PM
Have to say I played this today for the first time and really enjoyed it :Kaleun_Cheers::Kaleun_Salute:
somedude88
11-29-22, 04:33 PM
the foundation is pretty solid I would say. the gameplay loop is very frenetic, uncertain and stressful, so that when you actually land a good pattern on the uboat, it's pretty rewarding. My only gripe is that it can be a little arcadey and sometimes frustrating. The AI can get in your way and a collision is an instant defeat, even if it is a glancing blow (the roadmap says this will be worked on and improved for a more realistic experience) and the AI is practically suicidal (again, the roadmap promises better AI, so maybe they will actually try to escape instead of charging through heavy fire in order to sink just one ship)
Very fun, very rewarding when you do sink a uboat and perhaps a nice balance between realism and game but I personally would like a bit more realism.
Onkel Neal
12-06-22, 09:34 AM
Vote vote vote!
Let's help Destroyer win Indie Game of the Year, help direct more attention to naval sims.
You can nominate Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter for the TOP 100!
https://www.indiedb.com/games/destroyer-the-u-boat-hunter
:Kaleun_Cheers:
Vote vote vote!
Let's help Destroyer win Indie Game of the Year, help direct more attention to naval sims.
You can nominate Destroyer: The U-Boat Hunter for the TOP 100!
https://www.indiedb.com/games/destroyer-the-u-boat-hunter
:Kaleun_Cheers:
Voted. The devs owe me a beer. :haha:
:Kaleun_Salute:
Fearless
12-12-22, 12:52 AM
Hmm, No good. Webpage won't open up when I press the vote button.
Have to say I played this today for the first time and really enjoyed it :Kaleun_Cheers::Kaleun_Salute:
Yup. The more I play the more I like the game. I am still in the era of DC and use it as benchmark for DUH, but hey nobody is perfect. The game needs a lot more expanded options in both user menu and skipper of the warship. First of all different scales of active/passive sonar. Same goes for the radar. Another thing is that I can hear the sonarman telling me he hears the propeller - sadly I cant. Small thing but in DC you could hear the propeller of the sub. I already flagged the issues with the external views and lookouts - hope the developers will sort it out. Then we go to the Battle itself - I have no idea why this is time limited. Imagine and angry DD skipper closing on the u-boat and then all of a sudden the game ends. Keeping the sub underwater is also the tactics. I would love to have my own decision about terminating the battle against u-boats. I miss also the limited ammo count. So here we go to the realism. In DC I knew how many depth charges I have left, how many torpedoes, shells etc. Also manual adjusting the artillery. Maybe because I don't have campaign there is torpedoes station missing. My role is limited to finding the sub and depth charge it within specified timeframe in Battle scenario. I miss the flexibility and vast options DC offered here.
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