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.

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.

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 ??

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.