There have been some stimulating comments in this thread, it does make for a good debate.. I suppose many of us will have various opinions on simulations. This may be a bit off subject, but I'd like to add that, for me, when I did play Silent Hunter III, I found it to be a very good game. I would (and still do) get very immersed in my sims, but with SHIII, following my usual fist pumps upon sinking American boats, somehow I found myself feeling a little guilty rooting for the other guys. I realize that seems silly. Just shows to go ya, how these "simulated" games can seem so real sometimes, at least briefly! I was so glad when SH4 came about and I could finally root for the good guys.
I doubt I'll ever go back to SH3 for those reasons alone.