Getting back into my Uboat

[Spike88]

After playing SH4 with TMO, I have the urge to start up a campaign of GWX3.0. So I'm reinstalling SH3 and GWX.

Will probably switch between the two every patrol.

[K-61]

Welcome back. You'll love GWX.

[papa_smurf]

You won't regret it

Welcome back.

As you'll be doing a side by side running, how about letting us know what you see as comparative differences?

[Spike88]

The couple things I've noticed straight off the bat are:
1. The number of enemy shipping you come across is higher in SH3(GWX). Although, coming upon task forces/battleships/major historical battles is higher in SH4(TMO with RSRD). In general you'll have more random shipping to sink in GWX, but more military ships to sink in RSRD.
2. The graphics are obviously better in SH4, and I can't run SH3 in my native resolution of 1366x768, so it appears odd. The sea bed and the sea in general just seems more alive in SH4.
3. The fact that most Pacific subs start out with air radar, makes enemy air less annoying.
4. The User Interface(or HUD) is a lot easier to use in SH4. Basically some actions that require you to click two to three different things in SH3 have their own button in SH4.
5. The fact that the game has "watches" in SH4, makes crew management a lot easier than having to drag crew back and forth.
6. U-boats seem to dive faster than Fleet boats, although I'm unsure if the U-boats in UBM dive as fast as they do in SH3
7. SH3Commander is definitely a plus for SH3. You definitely feel more attached to your crew in SH3.
8. The RSRD campaign is very well done, a lot better than SH3 campaign.
9. In terms of sound, they both seem about the same. Although SH4 can realistically simulate how long it takes for sounds to reach you(unsure if SH3 can do this)
10. Time compression goes a lot higher and works a lot better in SH4, and it's easier to Refit and refuel.
11. A problem I had with SH4(RFB 2.0) that I've never had with SH3(GWX) is that I saved in the middle of a patrol while going ahead standard. Upon loading the SH4 save at a later point, my sub took damage without any explainable reason(There was nothing around me, and I was away from any land masses.)

As I've yet to sink a ship in SH4(TMO) I can't compare the combat. Although I'm unsure if Auto TDC works in TMO. (I can't do Manual in any game yet). My first patrol with TMO and RSRD ended up with me coming upon a Large minelayer escorted by two destroyers. I found the minelayer with my attack periscope and locked on(atleast I think I locked on) and fired all 4 torpedos before diving and changing course. All 4 torpedoes missed. Although this might have to do with my distance being so great, and other operator errors than the auto TDC not working. Going to set up a training mission later to test combat.



Overall SH4 is definitely a major improvement over SH3(unlike SH5 over any prior version ). Although in terms of immersion and feeling like you're part of your crew, I'd have to say SH3 is better.

@Spike88
Thanks for the info.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Spike88

1. The number of enemy shipping you come across is higher in SH3(GWX). Although, coming upon task forces/battleships/major historical battles is higher in SH4(TMO with RSRD). In general you'll have more random shipping to sink in GWX, but more military ships to sink in RSRD.

The Pacific is a lot bigger place. GWX has a lot less shipping than stock SH3.

2. The graphics are obviously better in SH4, and I can't run SH3 in my native resolution of 1366x768, so it appears odd. The sea bed and the sea in general just seems more alive in SH4.

Very true.

3. The fact that most Pacific subs start out with air radar, makes enemy air less annoying.

That was one of the things I liked about SH1.

4. The User Interface(or HUD) is a lot easier to use in SH4. Basically some actions that require you to click two to three different things in SH3 have their own button in SH4.

True, but it takes some getting used to. One thing SH4 doesn't have is the 'Simfeeling 6-Dials' mod, which takes everything off the screen and makes the guages giant slide-outs.

5. The fact that the game has "watches" in SH4, makes crew management a lot easier than having to drag crew back and forth.

Also true. Crew managment in SH4 is far superior. But for some reason they did exactly the opposite with the gun crews. In SH3 "Man The Deck Guns" automatically moves men to the guns. In SH4 you have to do it yourself. Not only is this frustrating, but it makes no sense.

6. U-boats seem to dive faster than Fleet boats, although I'm unsure if the U-boats in UBM dive as fast as they do in SH3

U-boats dove faster in real life. It has something to do with being smaller. And u-boats in SH4 take forever to dive normally, but a crash dive is about the same.

What bothers me is that in SH3 the crew go below when you call for a dive. In SH4 they stay on the bridge until the water is washing around their ankles. The good news is that this is weaning me of using the external view. If I can't see 'em I can't complain about it.

7. SH3Commander is definitely a plus for SH3. You definitely feel more attached to your crew in SH3.

And this is one of the things that keeps me playing SH3.

8. The RSRD campaign is very well done, a lot better than SH3 campaign.

Better than which SH3 campaign? Stock? GWX? WAC? I agree, RSRD is about as good as it gets, but I like GWX, and understand that the other supermod campaigns are just as good.

In SH4, OM is also very very good.

9. In terms of sound, they both seem about the same. Although SH4 can realistically simulate how long it takes for sounds to reach you(unsure if SH3 can do this)

No, SH3 doesn't have realistic sound travel times. SH3 and SH4 use almost exactly the same sound files, so there wouldn't be any difference.

10. Time compression goes a lot higher and works a lot better in SH4, and it's easier to Refit and refuel.

True about the time compression. As for refitting, I've never done that.

11. A problem I had with SH4(RFB 2.0) that I've never had with SH3(GWX) is that I saved in the middle of a patrol while going ahead standard. Upon loading the SH4 save at a later point, my sub took damage without any explainable reason(There was nothing around me, and I was away from any land masses.)

I've never had that happen. On the other hand, as it was back in SH1, every time I load a game in SH4 the engines shut down and I have to restart them. A very minor annoyance, true, but it doesn't happen in SH3.

Overall SH4 is definitely a major improvement over SH3(unlike SH5 over any prior version ). Although in terms of immersion and feeling like you're part of your crew, I'd have to say SH3 is better.

Great comparison, Spike88, and a nice read.

[Gerald]

and good hunting,with SH3+GWX3

[Spike88]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

What bothers me is that in SH3 the crew go below when you call for a dive. In SH4 they stay on the bridge until the water is washing around their ankles. The good news is that this is weaning me of using the external view. If I can't see 'em I can't complain about it.

This is true. There is also a higher chance that you'll be submerged with your crew still on deck. I seem to get it more in SH4 than I did in SH3.

Better than which SH3 campaign? Stock? GWX? WAC? I agree, RSRD is about as good as it gets, but I like GWX, and understand that the other supermod campaigns are just as good.

In SH4, OM is also very very good.

I was comparing it to stock, and GWX. GWX does have a good campaign, but the objectives are lacking in comparison to RSRD. Now I've only completed one patrol, but I was given two objectives within that patrol. I was also impressed with the Flash messages I received about two possible task forces.

As for OM I think I'll give it a shot.

I've never had that happen. On the other hand, as it was back in SH1, every time I load a game in SH4 the engines shut down and I have to restart them. A very minor annoyance, true, but it doesn't happen in SH3.

I don't know if it was a one time thing, but my next save after that was made from a complete stop.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Spike88

I was comparing it to stock, and GWX. GWX does have a good campaign, but the objectives are lacking in comparison to RSRD. Now I've only completed one patrol, but I was given two objectives within that patrol. I was also impressed with the Flash messages I received about two possible task forces.

SH3 has no objectives other than patrol. SH4 is better in that department.

As for OM I think I'll give it a shot.

If you like the harbors the way I do it will be a letdown, as there is very little harbor traffic and no locks like in the newest SH3 mods. Beyond that, it's a great experience.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome back kaleun and thank you for a prettu fair and informative comparator assessment