[Sailor Steve]

After reading the comments on voices, I'd like to add: Realistic Terminology. SH1 actually had it pretty much right. Destroyer Command wasn't too bad either. In SH3 it was in German, so I put up with it - except I didn't really, I used the Das Boot Sound Mod instead.

SH4? You hit a button which represents you, as the captain, giving a command. Your OOD says "Yes, Sir!", then repeats the command - "Hard to Port!", and the helmsman responds "Yes, Sir!"

Real life? You give the command. If you're within earshot of the man you're giving it to, your OOD stays the hell out of it. The helmsman would then respond "Right Full Rudder Aye!", not "Yes sir! Hard to port!"

Every time I hear the voices I cringe.

You could even add the captain's voice, giving a full set of commands and responses.

I also agree with the comment on voice levels: the only time they should be whispering is when you order silent running.

Also get some more natural sounding voices. With the money, even I could put together a better speech set. Listen to some of the movies - at least they try to make it sound like it really does. Add some more sound effects. It doesn't take a lot to make it feel better.