SH3 and SH4 Differences question?

jb0007 · 09-15-09, 07:33 PM

Hello, I'm new here.

I was wondering about installing SH3 or 4? Is the differences basically that one is of the atlantic campaign during ww2 and the other is the pacific? Trying to decide between the 2 for my first Sub-Sim to learn.

Thanks for any info.

donut · 09-15-09, 08:07 PM

Being a Vet, I played SH3 before SH4, but US Fleet Boats, are realistically we at war in this era ? Hence my choice. Yours is up to you. Graphics are better in SH4, for feeling of being at sea.IMHO

irish1958 · 09-15-09, 09:45 PM

It is really a matter of taste. SH4 has better graphics and requires more computing power. SH3GWX has better game play.

Mopy · 09-15-09, 09:51 PM

Welcome aboard JB

I started with SH3 as well. I never really got into SH4, but that's only because I find U-Boats more immersive. Much preferred SH3 game play too. As mentioned above, it also depends which theatre you think you'd prefer the most.

Personal choice would be;
SH3 + 1.4b patch + GWX3 super mod = Lots of fun (an an excellent learning experience if you're new to sub sims)

Start with low realism, and work your way up to full as you get comfortable. A very rewarding experience.

Feuer Frei! · 09-15-09, 10:44 PM

Welcome,
I started with SH3 then moved onto SH4 and moved back to SH3, as said before "eye candy" is better in SH4, although that is certainly negated by the Super Mod GWX3 for SH3,
depends on if you want to play the Germans or the U.S. really, (some people steer clear of games that only let you play the Germans).

Personally i think SH3 IS way better, ensure patched to v1.4, install GWX3 and immerse yourself in one of the best (if not the best) WW2 Simulations ever!

Damo · 09-15-09, 11:27 PM

I picked up SH3 almost by accident when my friend was gonna throw it out. I'd never been interested in submarines really and was an aviation fan mostly. I started playing about 3 months ago and it's taken up a fair bit of my time I can tell you, in between scouring uboat.net and downloading mods to try out. I installed GWX after a week of playing stock and it changed it in so many ways, I'm not sure I know all of them yet. Pure brilliance!!

It takes a long time to get proficient but it's worth it when you cruise into port with a successful patrol under your belt. There are loads of mods that improve the game on top of GWX and I've even gone so far as to merge a few mods so that they work together, such is my keeness for this great game. The German slant is novel, and amongst all the WWII titles that have you fighting for the allies, SH3 makes a refreshing change, not to mention it's ability to make you realise that although they were the enemy, they weren't much different from anyone else risking their lives on the battlefield.

I've not played SH4, rather seen it in action at my friends, but from what I've read it was released in a bad state and fell short of SH3 in many ways. I would have bought it if GWX4 was going to be completed but with that out the window I'll be happy to stick with what I've got. SH5 is going to have to be brutally good, let's hope they learned by the mistakes of SH4 and indeed, the brilliance of GWX3.

sharkbit · 09-16-09, 08:00 AM

Welcome aboard!

I've played SH3 w/GWX since April 2008 and have loved every moment. Well worth it. When I was looking for a subsim then, I wanted an American fleet boat game and saw SH4 but was turned off by the reviews about the bugginess and I wasn't really sure my computer would handle it. So I went with SH3 and have never regretted that decision.

Last month, I took the leap and purchased SH4 with the U-boat add on and have been trying the different super mods out there. I'm still learning the ropes of driving a fleet boat around the vast Pacific with TMO 1.7. I'm going to switch to RFB after my next patrol and give that a test drive for a few patrols to see what I like best. I'm just starting manual targeting in SH4 for my next patrol, so it might get more interesting(been doing manual targeting in SH3 for about 6 months now).

The jury is out still, but I lean more towards SH3. I like the game play better in SH3 and I actually am leaning towards liking the graphics better in SH3 as well with GWX.
I've yet to have a "Wow!" moment in SH4. I've had a few of those in SH3. I'm not giving up though. I'm still giving SH4 a fair chance, but by no means am I taking SH3 off my computer.

One more thing: do you want to play the underdog later in the war?

I like playing the underdog in SH3. U-boats start out being the terror of the Atlantic, but by 1943, you become the hunted and just surviving is a miracle. If you sink something(and survive), that's icing on the cake. I like that challenge, although I'm not that far into 1943 yet(June/July IIRC).

Another thing too:
Different theaters have a different feel in SH3.
The Med feels different than the Atlantic, and the Black Sea is a whole lotta different as well. I've got carreers running concurrently in all 3 theaters. Haven't tried the Indian Ocean.

Zilch · 09-16-09, 11:06 AM

Love 'em both, but I play GWX mostly (about 70% SH3, 30% SH4.) I'd be happy bouncing back and forth about 50/50 but SH4 taxes my system to much that even at high TC ratios, it takes forever to get anywhere.

I haven't modded SH4 because, as is, my system struggles with it and I don't want to hurt my baby any more than I have.

If you have the specs, though, it's a tough call to make. Depends on my mood, personally. SH4 is much more optimistic, and you can really put a hurtin' on some convoys with 10 fish at your call at once. SH3 really makes you feel desperate, and this only gets worse as the war goes on. You get 5 or 6 shots, then hope the Brits don't DC you to the bottom. And, you know you'll lose anyway, so you know it's a losing fight. Great atmosphere in both cases, just different flavors.

You'd have fun either way.

$0.02

-Zilch

Rafael · 09-16-09, 11:15 AM

Welcome!

I have them both. However, I don't like SH4.

In SH3 you are the "underdog" ... I prefer that!

jb0007 · 09-16-09, 05:07 PM

Well now I'm totally confused, lol.....

I got online last night and watched Refan do a mission with SH4 using Livestream via XFIRE......man that was awesome......technology just amazes me......to think I came from the commodore 64 days with sim/games like Red Storm Rising and Silent service to this and live video feeds using livestream......totally amazing stuff for sure.

After being told I need multiple copies to run on my machines on my desk, I just bought 2 more copies of SH4 Gold, plus one of SH3, so once they get here I should be set. Hopefully i can get my grown sons to join dad now that i'm retired and time for gaming more.

Part of me wants to try SH3, but with only 5 shots per sub, maybe I'm better off using SH4 and get 8-10 shots per sub, although GWX sounds like a good add on for SH3.

So far havent had anyone join me on Teamspeak ( www.teamspeak.com ) my free server, so maybe no one uses voice chat here with sub sims. I know it sure is fun and helpful in RACING SIMS.

Anyways, thanks all for all the info, and please feel free to add me to your friends list. Had one person ask me if i had room to run servers on my voice server.....not sure what kind of servers they needed but I have plenty of space I think. I run my Race Server there and Voice server also when needed.

mookiemookie · 09-16-09, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb0007

Part of me wants to try SH3, but with only 5 shots per sub, maybe I'm better off using SH4 and get 8-10 shots per sub, although GWX sounds like a good add on for SH3.

Of course you only get 5 torpedoes in an early war Type II sub. Try a Type IX and you'll have a larger boat with up to 24 torpedoes in it.

Mopy · 09-17-09, 11:13 AM

Indeed. Bear in mind also that in SH3, you don't have to start the war in a II (sardine tin?) You can begin in a VIIB if you want, which has 16 I believe.

ReFaN · 09-18-09, 03:08 AM

Hope i didnt scare you off with my Video Tour of Sh3, doing a surface raid into scapa flow wasent the best of my ideas so far.

Hitman · 09-18-09, 08:21 AM

Quote:

I'd never been interested in submarines really and was an aviation fan mostly.

Then Reinhard Hardegen is your hero

, he also went from aviator to U-Boat Kaleun!

09-21-09, 10:15 PM

I didn't know Hr. Hardegen was an aviator. Thank you for the info. He's one of the guys at the top of my respect list, and U123 IXB is my favorite uboat, and naval vessel of any type.
My personal recommendation is SH3. It gets harder and more intense as the war progresses.
Although I don't have GWX, I do recommend that you look into it and read the literature they've got out there. Alot of knowledge there from some very fine people. If its more game than sim your looking for, and number of torpedoes is what makes it for you, there is a TweakSub mod that can give you as many as you desire. Although that's not my thing, it may be yours. In either case - enjoy.

09-15-09, 07:33 PM	#1
jb0007 Watch Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 16 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	SH3 and SH4 Differences question? Hello, I'm new here. I was wondering about installing SH3 or 4? Is the differences basically that one is of the atlantic campaign during ww2 and the other is the pacific? Trying to decide between the 2 for my first Sub-Sim to learn. Thanks for any info. __________________ Thanks and Take Care, Chuck-JB0007 www.SIMRACINGZONE.com My Online Racing & Open Sims Teamspeak3 Server 71.236.254.20 Port: 9987

09-15-09, 08:07 PM	#2
donut The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Shifting, Whispering Sands, NM Posts: 1,463 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	It's all WWII Subs Being a Vet, I played SH3 before SH4, but US Fleet Boats, are realistically we at war in this era ? Hence my choice. Yours is up to you. Graphics are better in SH4, for feeling of being at sea.IMHO

09-15-09, 09:45 PM	#3
irish1958 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 3,250 Downloads: 320 Uploads: 11	It is really a matter of taste. SH4 has better graphics and requires more computing power. SH3GWX has better game play. __________________ Irish1958

09-15-09, 10:44 PM	#5
Feuer Frei! Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Valhalla Posts: 5,295 Downloads: 141 Uploads: 17	Welcome, I started with SH3 then moved onto SH4 and moved back to SH3, as said before "eye candy" is better in SH4, although that is certainly negated by the Super Mod GWX3 for SH3, depends on if you want to play the Germans or the U.S. really, (some people steer clear of games that only let you play the Germans). Personally i think SH3 IS way better, ensure patched to v1.4, install GWX3 and immerse yourself in one of the best (if not the best) WW2 Simulations ever! __________________ "History is the lies that the victors agree on"- Napoleon LINK TO MY SH 3 MODS

09-15-09, 11:27 PM	#6
Damo Captain Join Date: May 2009 Location: Forever stuck in Data folder... Posts: 482 Downloads: 259 Uploads: 0	I picked up SH3 almost by accident when my friend was gonna throw it out. I'd never been interested in submarines really and was an aviation fan mostly. I started playing about 3 months ago and it's taken up a fair bit of my time I can tell you, in between scouring uboat.net and downloading mods to try out. I installed GWX after a week of playing stock and it changed it in so many ways, I'm not sure I know all of them yet. Pure brilliance!! It takes a long time to get proficient but it's worth it when you cruise into port with a successful patrol under your belt. There are loads of mods that improve the game on top of GWX and I've even gone so far as to merge a few mods so that they work together, such is my keeness for this great game. The German slant is novel, and amongst all the WWII titles that have you fighting for the allies, SH3 makes a refreshing change, not to mention it's ability to make you realise that although they were the enemy, they weren't much different from anyone else risking their lives on the battlefield. I've not played SH4, rather seen it in action at my friends, but from what I've read it was released in a bad state and fell short of SH3 in many ways. I would have bought it if GWX4 was going to be completed but with that out the window I'll be happy to stick with what I've got. SH5 is going to have to be brutally good, let's hope they learned by the mistakes of SH4 and indeed, the brilliance of GWX3. __________________ The owl and the pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat. It only took one T1 eel to convince that boat not to float.

09-15-09, 09:51 PM	#4
Mopy Torpedoman Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 118 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard JB I started with SH3 as well. I never really got into SH4, but that's only because I find U-Boats more immersive. Much preferred SH3 game play too. As mentioned above, it also depends which theatre you think you'd prefer the most. Personal choice would be; SH3 + 1.4b patch + GWX3 super mod = Lots of fun (an an excellent learning experience if you're new to sub sims) Start with low realism, and work your way up to full as you get comfortable. A very rewarding experience.

09-16-09, 08:00 AM	#7
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	Welcome aboard! I've played SH3 w/GWX since April 2008 and have loved every moment. Well worth it. When I was looking for a subsim then, I wanted an American fleet boat game and saw SH4 but was turned off by the reviews about the bugginess and I wasn't really sure my computer would handle it. So I went with SH3 and have never regretted that decision. Last month, I took the leap and purchased SH4 with the U-boat add on and have been trying the different super mods out there. I'm still learning the ropes of driving a fleet boat around the vast Pacific with TMO 1.7. I'm going to switch to RFB after my next patrol and give that a test drive for a few patrols to see what I like best. I'm just starting manual targeting in SH4 for my next patrol, so it might get more interesting(been doing manual targeting in SH3 for about 6 months now). The jury is out still, but I lean more towards SH3. I like the game play better in SH3 and I actually am leaning towards liking the graphics better in SH3 as well with GWX. I've yet to have a "Wow!" moment in SH4. I've had a few of those in SH3. I'm not giving up though. I'm still giving SH4 a fair chance, but by no means am I taking SH3 off my computer. One more thing: do you want to play the underdog later in the war? I like playing the underdog in SH3. U-boats start out being the terror of the Atlantic, but by 1943, you become the hunted and just surviving is a miracle. If you sink something(and survive), that's icing on the cake. I like that challenge, although I'm not that far into 1943 yet(June/July IIRC). Another thing too: Different theaters have a different feel in SH3. The Med feels different than the Atlantic, and the Black Sea is a whole lotta different as well. I've got carreers running concurrently in all 3 theaters. Haven't tried the Indian Ocean. __________________ “Prejudice is blind. There will always be someone who says you aren’t welcome at the table. Stop apologizing for who you are and using all your energy trying to change their minds. Yes, you will lose friends, maybe even family. But you will gain your self-respect. You will know your worth. Once you have that, nothing can stop you.”

09-16-09, 11:06 AM	#8
Zilch Torpedoman Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 118 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Love 'em both, but I play GWX mostly (about 70% SH3, 30% SH4.) I'd be happy bouncing back and forth about 50/50 but SH4 taxes my system to much that even at high TC ratios, it takes forever to get anywhere. I haven't modded SH4 because, as is, my system struggles with it and I don't want to hurt my baby any more than I have. If you have the specs, though, it's a tough call to make. Depends on my mood, personally. SH4 is much more optimistic, and you can really put a hurtin' on some convoys with 10 fish at your call at once. SH3 really makes you feel desperate, and this only gets worse as the war goes on. You get 5 or 6 shots, then hope the Brits don't DC you to the bottom. And, you know you'll lose anyway, so you know it's a losing fight. Great atmosphere in both cases, just different flavors. You'd have fun either way. $0.02 -Zilch __________________ Depth charges pounding your flanges loose? Hedgehogs dislodging your precious bulkheads? Use Beemans Gum! Freshens breath and doubles as an adhesive in a pinch. The gum of choice aboard U-54!

09-16-09, 11:15 AM	#9
Rafael Captain Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rotterdam - The Netherlands Posts: 514 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 7	Welcome! I have them both. However, I don't like SH4. In SH3 you are the "underdog" ... I prefer that!

09-16-09, 05:07 PM	#10
jb0007 Watch Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 16 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	wow,tnx all for your input on SH3 and 4. :) Well now I'm totally confused, lol..... I got online last night and watched Refan do a mission with SH4 using Livestream via XFIRE......man that was awesome......technology just amazes me......to think I came from the commodore 64 days with sim/games like Red Storm Rising and Silent service to this and live video feeds using livestream......totally amazing stuff for sure. After being told I need multiple copies to run on my machines on my desk, I just bought 2 more copies of SH4 Gold, plus one of SH3, so once they get here I should be set. Hopefully i can get my grown sons to join dad now that i'm retired and time for gaming more. Part of me wants to try SH3, but with only 5 shots per sub, maybe I'm better off using SH4 and get 8-10 shots per sub, although GWX sounds like a good add on for SH3. So far havent had anyone join me on Teamspeak ( www.teamspeak.com ) my free server, so maybe no one uses voice chat here with sub sims. I know it sure is fun and helpful in RACING SIMS. Anyways, thanks all for all the info, and please feel free to add me to your friends list. Had one person ask me if i had room to run servers on my voice server.....not sure what kind of servers they needed but I have plenty of space I think. I run my Race Server there and Voice server also when needed. __________________ Thanks and Take Care, Chuck-JB0007 www.SIMRACINGZONE.com My Online Racing & Open Sims Teamspeak3 Server 71.236.254.20 Port: 9987

09-17-09, 11:13 AM	#12
Mopy Torpedoman Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 118 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Indeed. Bear in mind also that in SH3, you don't have to start the war in a II (sardine tin?) You can begin in a VIIB if you want, which has 16 I believe.

09-18-09, 03:08 AM	#13
ReFaN Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 831 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	Hope i didnt scare you off with my Video Tour of Sh3, doing a surface raid into scapa flow wasent the best of my ideas so far. __________________ Liverpool is my relegion, Anfield is my church. True believers never walk alone.

09-21-09, 10:15 PM	#15
Snestorm Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I didn't know Hr. Hardegen was an aviator. Thank you for the info. He's one of the guys at the top of my respect list, and U123 IXB is my favorite uboat, and naval vessel of any type. My personal recommendation is SH3. It gets harder and more intense as the war progresses. Although I don't have GWX, I do recommend that you look into it and read the literature they've got out there. Alot of knowledge there from some very fine people. If its more game than sim your looking for, and number of torpedoes is what makes it for you, there is a TweakSub mod that can give you as many as you desire. Although that's not my thing, it may be yours. In either case - enjoy.