I have noticed some negative comments regarding another Pacific Theater of Operation Sub Sim - SH4. Some of the comments were the Atlantic was more intense or as the war progressed it became easier in the Pacific and therefore the game will become boring. The Atlantic campaign for the German U-Boats only became more difficult and so the game will continue to be difficult.
I agree there were less and less targets in the PTO as the war drew to a close - in '45, but if you read anything on the Pacific war you must remember we lost 52 boats during the war - 48 of which were lost in the Pacific. As vetern submariners say 52 are still on Eternal Patrol. One the USS Bullhead was lost on Aug. 6, 1945!!! How? Through enemy action in particular aircraft action. 8 boats were lost in '45 and 19 in '44 alone. Those men on the 8 boats lost in '45 sure would argue the "easy" comments and I am sure those boats lost in '44 as less and less Jap shipping were found would also agure on the easy factor.
From the USS Sealion lost in 12/41 to the Bullhead there never was a "milkrun" when a boat went out on patrol. SH4 with all the improvements I am sure it will have will be just a challenging throughout the whole PTO war. More photo recons were done more pilot recoveries were done. These were not easy and there was always the danger of enemy anti submarine patrols.
We talked about Wolf Packs in prior comments. Later in the war packs were formed and sent out to the Sea of Japan. Again not easy and boats were lost. If those who will put the game together and look at our wish lists and make the game interesting, realistic, the game will never be boring.
Those that like the Atlantic war go for it. I have played Aces of the Deep and SH3. These are great sub sims. I have read Iron Coffins and Das Boot. Have the DVD of Das Boot and have watched it many times. However the Atlantic was the Atlantic and the Pacific was the Pacific. Let's have great sub sims each unto it's own. Maybe a senerio could be made to have a US boat go from Groton to Pearl as a start of the sim and incounter a U-Boat along the way. Or, as was the case, encounter a U-Boat in the South West Pacific area. But the main focus of SH4 must be the Pacific.
Hope I did not tread on some toes - just my thoughts on the subject.
Happy Hunting
