Back after some years SH3 vs SH5 experience

[von Krysiak]

So first of all, welcome back everyone - it has been a few years I haevnt been out to the sea, and I confess probably 4+ years since last time I played GWX

Over the weekend I decided to install SH5 and have some fun - lasted an hour. While graphics is pretty decent the entire thing made me feel like playing with dolls rather than commanding a submarine...

Needless to say I removed it and installed SH3 with GWX 3.0.

Question is - did the community give up on SH5 all together? I see not many super mods, little forum activity etc. At the same time SH3 is alive and kicking as it was years and years back even though it will be a decade old in a few weeks.

Is there no hope for the series and are we stuck with playing SH3 for another decade?

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by von Krysiak

So first of all, welcome back everyone - it has been a few years I haevnt been out to the sea, and I confess probably 4+ years since last time I played GWX

Over the weekend I decided to install SH5 and have some fun - lasted an hour. While graphics is pretty decent the entire thing made me feel like playing with dolls rather than commanding a submarine...

Needless to say I removed it and installed SH3 with GWX 3.0.

Question is - did the community give up on SH5 all together? I see not many super mods, little forum activity etc. At the same time SH3 is alive and kicking as it was years and years back even though it will be a decade old in a few weeks.

Is there no hope for the series and are we stuck with playing SH3 for another decade?

Welcome back, Von K.

'Pends on what you mean by "stuck." GWX3 is 6 years old and something of an orphan, although compatible mods are still being released. NYGM just had an update. LSH3 is pending release of v6.

In the past year, there have been two releases that allow play at 1920x1080, one for GWX and NYGM, the other for NYGM only. Makman released a new version of his environment mod MEP. There's a new Dynamic Campaign mod. SH3Patrol makes extended patrols much easier. And SH3 Front End makes it all easier than ever to set up.

If you've been gone 4 years, then you haven't used h.sie's and Stiebler's patches. Together, they add a wealth of gameplay options, like inaccurate range estimates and Diesels that break down when you overstress them, as well as fixing some old bugs. All in all, 36 changes and fixes, plus an easy install of the 4 GB patch. SH3Log adds another element of uncertainty to your kill score. MFM and USAM add a vast number of ships, better ship behavior, and fantastic eye candy. And SH3Speech lets you control your crew with voice commands instead of button pushing.

I (and a lot of others on this forum) understand your disappointment with SH5, although it has a strong fan base, lots of good mods, and very talented modders. But when you add the latest mods to SH3, you may not recognise the game you used to play. It certainly hasn't held still while you were away. The game engine may be the same (although, with patches, not so much), but with a mix of the latest mods, the game won't play like you remembered it. Since you were a GWX player, I'd suggest you just try NYGM. It will give you a whole 'nother perspective on the game, and the submarine war.

SH3 is not just alive and well. It is continually being renewed and the game I play today is not the same as the game I played two years ago. IMO, you'll not find you are "stuck" with anything.

[flag4]

SH3 +GWX et al...is the Rolls Royce of the SH franchise.

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by flag4

SH3 +GWX et al...is the Rolls Royce of the SH franchise.

I hope this post was not a deliberate troll. Because there are a lot of people who prefer LSH3 or NYGM who might respond strongly to your unnecessarily provocative statement. IMO, SubSim does not need flame wars on the SH3 forum.

[von Krysiak]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

Welcome back, Von K.

'Pends on what you mean by "stuck." GWX3 is 6 years old and something of an orphan, although compatible mods are still being released. NYGM just had an update. LSH3 is pending release of v6.

In the past year, there have been two releases that allow play at 1920x1080, one for GWX and NYGM, the other for NYGM only. Makman released a new version of his environment mod MEP. There's a new Dynamic Campaign mod. SH3Patrol makes extended patrols much easier. And SH3 Front End makes it all easier than ever to set up.

If you've been gone 4 years, then you haven't used h.sie's and Stiebler's patches. Together, they add a wealth of gameplay options, like inaccurate range estimates and Diesels that break down when you overstress them, as well as fixing some old bugs. All in all, 36 changes and fixes, plus an easy install of the 4 GB patch. SH3Log adds another element of uncertainty to your kill score. MFM and USAM add a vast number of ships, better ship behavior, and fantastic eye candy. And SH3Speech lets you control your crew with voice commands instead of button pushing.

I (and a lot of others on this forum) understand your disappointment with SH5, although it has a strong fan base, lots of good mods, and very talented modders. But when you add the latest mods to SH3, you may not recognise the game you used to play. It certainly hasn't held still while you were away. The game engine may be the same (although, with patches, not so much), but with a mix of the latest mods, the game won't play like you remembered it. Since you were a GWX player, I'd suggest you just try NYGM. It will give you a whole 'nother perspective on the game, and the submarine war.

SH3 is not just alive and well. It is continually being renewed and the game I play today is not the same as the game I played two years ago. IMO, you'll not find you are "stuck" with anything.

Yup, totally agree - SH3 is aliave and kicking, I am went back to GWX 3.0 + new patches I havent seen before (dying to take part in a wolfpack so fingers crossed)

I am glad that this game has such an amazing and devoted community - nothing else compares tbh.

what I meant as "stuck with SH3" I meant the developer not doing anything towards getting us a refresh, although with whats happening in the gaming industry I am not sure if I would like a refresh with result being a game even more idiot proof than SH5.

We can only hope that successful games like Elite Dangerous and Starship Citizen will revitalize flight/sub simulator genres and developers see that even such niche complex products have its fan base and would turn a nice profit.

[von Krysiak]

Yet another quick question: are there any known ship packs that are compatible with GWX 3.0? The more variatety the better, esp for cargo ships ;-)

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by von Krysiak

Yet another quick question: are there any known ship packs that are compatible with GWX 3.0? The more variatety the better, esp for cargo ships ;-)

YES! I mentioned IABL's Merchant Fleet Mod (MFM), a HUGE number of merchant ship types (well, 126), plus a set of skin packs which change the paint schemes over time. And Wreford-Brown's Ultimate Ship and Aircraft Mod, 62 aircraft types and 70 ships, mostly combatants. Both are compatible with GWX3, MFM with anything, but both require a hefty computer. RacerBoy's Rbs1_SH4_Effects_GWX_21_204f adds some more types (and refines others). Finally, Thomsen's Parameter App lets you improve ship physics of all installed classes at once. My current setup (NYGM-based, so I can't use USAM) includes 317 ship types. Shouldn't get boring for a while.

[von Krysiak]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

YES! I mentioned IABL's Merchant Fleet Mod (MFM), a HUGE number of merchant ship types (well, 126), plus a set of skin packs which change the paint schemes over time. And Wreford-Brown's Ultimate Ship and Aircraft Mod, 62 aircraft types and 70 ships, mostly combatants. Both are compatible with GWX3, MFM with anything, but both require a hefty computer. RacerBoy's Rbs1_SH4_Effects_GWX_21_204f adds some more types (and refines others). Finally, Thomsen's Parameter App lets you improve ship physics of all installed classes at once. My current setup (NYGM-based, so I can't use USAM) includes 317 ship types. Shouldn't get boring for a while.

You are my personal hero!
I have added them all and everything works fine.
There is one thing though - I believe MDM adds ships with flags painted on he hull - if ship has a flag of some country does it mean it belongs to lets say neutral nation? I had a few sightings where my WO wanted to blast them with a deck gun...

[Aktungbby]

von Krysiak!

[BigWalleye]

Originally Posted by von Krysiak

You are my personal hero!
I have added them all and everything works fine.
There is one thing though - I believe MDM adds ships with flags painted on he hull - if ship has a flag of some country does it mean it belongs to lets say neutral nation? I had a few sightings where my WO wanted to blast them with a deck gun...

My experience is that it's situational. Paint was cheap and readily available. I've sunk "Greek" ships sailing alone - in British coastal waters - with no problem. Got full credit in NYGM. Might not want to do the same with a Spanish ship in open ocean. Or a Norwegian in '39. If they're in an escorted convoy, or in designated areas, or sailing dark, then AFAIK they are always fair game. What is painted on the hull appears to mean less than a flag. Standing orders will tell you where the current free fire zones are.

BTW, I like your WO's attitude! I'd buck him for promotion or an EKII.

A merry and blessed Christmas to you and to all SubSimmers!

[Jimbuna]

Welcome back von Krysiak

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by BigWalleye

If they're in an escorted convoy, or in designated areas, or sailing dark, then AFAIK they are always fair game.

The game doesn't make a distinction. Only some neutrals are lighted, so dark ships can be neutral. In a convoy? It doesn't matter. If it's green on the map or flying the flag of a neutral country, it's neutral, and you will be docked points for sinking it. This is why I changed my Neutral renown to '0'.

[THEBERBSTER]

A warm welcome back ‘von Krysiak’

You will always find someone here to help you.

Link to my SH3 – SH4 – SH5 posts:

Step By Step Tutorials & How To Do It

Also Included Are Some Useful Download Links

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=211804

You can use TDW’Generic File Patcher with STEAM see my Tutorial Post #125