I was 5 or 6 when the Silent Service movie came out and I've been a Pacific War and sub fanatic ever since. During the dreadfull wait for SHIV I've kept the SHIII campaign I was on going despite not having any weather effects for over a year of real time play now and with 4 days away, it's all I can do to sit in one place for 5 minutes thinking all this frustration is about to get wiped.
The devs did a yowman's job keeping us in touch all through development. I've not seen any other promotion for a game work so hard to help the community feel a part of what is to come. In addition, I think we learned more about what to expect from the game than any other title I can think of. From everything I've seen and read and what the devs told us they want to accomplish, this is the exact game I would have created if I had done it myself. With weather dead for me in SHIII and so many nice things to look foward to in 4, it's not likely I'll ever play 3 again.
For those who just don't have any interest in the Pacific war, there will be nothing to please them about this release, but if the history of this SH franchise holds true, I've seen a lot of attention given to balance and challenge in these games, and if true to real history, many of the best American sub commanders went down under the crush of mine sweepers and tin cans. Having played several Pacific sub games, when you sink your teeth into trying to intercept a carrier fleet roaring along at 25 knots, any idea the sim will not have any challenges will be dispelled as the escorts spot your wake and the targets turn away. Although the US fleet boats are a little bigger, faster, tougher, and deeper, they are also easier to spot and noisy. It will be tough getting close to an aware convoy. Most of the convoys are dodging around narrow passeges between islands in shallow water. It's tough to be stealthy in a big US sub and VERY hard to get away from a determined escort.
As far as PC gaming dying, I've been listening to that talk for 5 years or more. I rank it in there with global warming.
Bring it on.
-Pv-
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