Positive preview at SIMHQ

[Sanuck]

Well this chap is positive at SIM HQ

Neal it would be nice to get your thoughts on this ? (added Tom the author from simHQ popped in and answers some questions about his preview, page 3 onwards in this post. Thanks Tom )


http://www.simhq.com/_naval/naval_035a.html

[Decoman]

I wish I knew more about how they colored the North Atlantic.

Without being an expert, I suppose its a bit greenish, and then the ocean would be colored abit different at various places, depending on it being in the Atlantic Ocean or in the Mediterranean Sea.

Any experts here who know more about this?

[ichso]

Originally Posted by Decoman

I wish I knew more about how they colored the North Atlantic.

Without being an expert, I suppose its a bit greenish, and then the ocean would be colored abit different at various places, depending on it being in the Atlantic Ocean or in the Mediterranean Sea.

Any experts here who know more about this?

Yes, I think it should get a slight green-grayish tone. I like how it looks under stormy conditions but some of the screen we've seen taken in good weather show the water in too clean and nice conditions. At least for the northern sea.

I have to say though, when I visited spain some time ago in the summer there was a small atlantic harbor and the water there was really crystal clear, so maybe it's not really that far off, if at all.

[piri_reis]

Good shots and nice to see someone positive, but what I don't get is:

All previews are dead short, none of them started a campaign, none of them went on a real patrol, found a convoy, ran from the escorts, depth charged, contact bdu, met the wolfpack, ambushed by aircraft... That's where the fun of the game is...

What's with this "because of time constraints"
Did you get a copy for previewing purposes or what !! Some people need to get their act together..

[Nordmann]

Yes, it's a tad worrying, why have all previews thus far avoided showing the campaign? Surely it is one of the most critical aspects of the game, yet apparently they are more concerned with graphics.

[Lanzfeld]

What has Neal said about the campaign? Did his copy have it?

This whole business of "wanting to save some stuff for us to discover ourselves" is hogwash. Those that dont want to know shouldnt read the previews.

Give us the straight dope Neal. Did we ever get a final crew count? Why hold back this info?

[Bilge_Rat]

Tom Cofield is one of us, a serious wargamer. I trust his opinion. Did anyone miss these tidbits?

One of the reasons that Silent Hunter 3 and Silent Hunter 4 have remained on hard drives long after other games have been erased is because of the robust campaign system the developers put in place. Silent Hunter 5 continues to have dynamic campaign elements, but also adds a branching campaign system where the player gets to pick exactly where and how they want to continue the war effort. Players can slug it out in the North Atlantic or sail into the Mediterranean Sea.

Like its previous cousins, there is a variety of ways that you can either crank up, or tone down the realism in the game. Realistic dive times, ship targeting, torpedo reloads, battery life, fuel, ability to see your boat in third-person among other things are items that can be turned off or on depending on the type of play you prefer. Some will want to play the game with absolutely no "cheats" so they can feel as close to a realistic naval combat experience as possible while others (like me) can’t wait to jump to external view so they can admire their explosive handiwork first hand.

To be honest, I was mildly surprised by the fit-and-finish of Silent Hunter 5. That is not meant to take away anything from the seasoned development team. I have reviewed games that were gold launches with more issues than this Beta has demonstrated. I didn’t get the opportunity to test the multiplayer code so I can’t comment on that, but the single player setup is polished. Undoubtedly, I will have some nitpicks that I can throw out in the final shipping release, but lets see if those are still there with the final copy of the game.

This game won’t replace Silent Hunter 4 on my hard drive, but Silent Hunter 5 will have a spot right next to it. Short of a complete screw-up on someone’s part this game looks to be a real winner. I looked forward to it before I got the preview copy, but after spending time with it and seeing its features, details, and remarkable graphics, I am very excited to get my hands on the final version.

the comment about SH4 is because, like me, he prefers to play as the good guys in the Pacific rather than as an evil Nazi...

[Nisgeis]

Originally Posted by Decoman

I wish I knew more about how they colored the North Atlantic.

Without being an expert, I suppose its a bit greenish, and then the ocean would be colored abit different at various places, depending on it being in the Atlantic Ocean or in the Mediterranean Sea.

Any experts here who know more about this?

Sea colour depends on a large variety of factors, that all combine to give you a couple of colours. The light will be scattered by the water and will also be absorbed by whatever micro-organisms are in the water. How much light enters the water is determined by the angle of the sun and also clouds. On overcast days, much less light penetrates into the sea and it does not have as much of an inner glow from light reflecting off the organisms. The angle of the sun depends on the time of day and also how far north/south you are and the season. The more directly overhead the sun is, the more light goes into the sea, as it approaches the horizon, most of the light is reflected off the sea surface and doesn't enter the water (pretty sunset). The mirco-organisms vary depending on the conditions of the sea, e.g. the pacific has different things in it that the atlantic has, each organism will reflect a different colour of light. Ones in the atlantic reflect brownish light and the ones in the pacific reflect blueish light which is why seas are different colours. Also, there is silt disturbance as well, which also depends on the depth of the water. In shallow muddy atlantic waters, storms churn up the silt and make the sea an opaque brown, with hardly any light penetrating into it, so it makes the sea look quite cold as there is no inner glow of light reflected from within the water itself.

[Darkreaver1980]

wow, nice preview. cant wait to play it

[ichso]

I have to say the reviewer has a strange understanding of simulation games as he proclaims SH5 is more simulation than the previous titles only because of walking around the sub. I think there is much more to the aspect on simulation than this.

Originally Posted by preview

You can still man stations, but now you have to "walk" in real time to that station. It also means you may not be where you need to be when the proverbial [enemy] stink hits the fan. In essence, you have to learn to trust your crew and likewise you have to build your crew up.

Nothing new, but still it sounds really interesting. That makes me excited how it will play out in the final version and in the long run.
The previewer makes it sound like this has a deep gameplay impact. Which would be really nice. But it could also be more of a immersion-thing only, we'll see.

Some of the videos from the last time have shown this and here is a screenshot of this as well: sometimes there are waterdrops blurring the view although you stand on the bridge, not using the UZO or anything. This is a bit strange, perhaps you are wearing glasses in this game ?

[SimHq Tom Cofield]

Originally Posted by ichso

I have to say the reviewer has a strange understanding of simulation games as he proclaims SH5 is more simulation than the previous titles only because of walking around the sub. I think there is much more to the aspect on simulation than this.


Nothing new, but still it sounds really interesting. That makes me excited how it will play out in the final version and in the long run.
The previewer makes it sound like this has a deep gameplay impact. Which would be really nice. But it could also be more of a immersion-thing only, we'll see.

Some of the videos from the last time have shown this and here is a screenshot of this as well: sometimes there are waterdrops blurring the view although you stand on the bridge, not using the UZO or anything. This is a bit strange, perhaps you are wearing glasses in this game ?

It seems more 'realistic' to me, that is why I call it more of a simulator. IN other naval games you either are a third person directing from on high (like JUtland) or you are essentially bouncing around from station to station playing each individual role. In SHV you actually are playing the captain of the boat. It is more of an individual experience IMHO.

[SimHq Tom Cofield]

Boy you guys are rough. I had exactly two days with the game to do something with this preview. To be honest I replayed the campaign about four times but continuous crashes and odd bugs that will be fixed on release meant that I had to give up on trying to get any further in the campaign and just look at the single missions.

I am working with Beta code and to be honest, the game tended to crash whenever something really exciting started happening. Exterior views were almost impossible with this build simply because the game would cause horrific monitor difficulties whenever I went outside the boat. Likewise torpedo shots on ships created a slideshow effect. Part of the problem is my video card (Radeon 3850) and the other problem is beta code. The two convoys I did manage to maneuver close to turned into slideshows the moment I launced torpedoes. I do admit I should have taken more shots there but I was too busy cursing at the slideshow. Do not view this as a critique of the game. Almost every beta that I have worked with or have previewed has had similar problems. The game is more polished than a lot of previews I have seen and pretty darned complete but it is still beta and what it does with my Radeon gives me fits.

You guys have to understand the audience for the game at SimHq. It isn't Subsim. This is a direct entheusist site for Submarine fanatics. It should be a more detailed preview because it is designed for guys who are big time sub and naval boat guys. SimHq is a much more generalized site with a much wider fanbase. Any preview over 3 pages is nixed by management because it is too long for a preview.

As for Rah Rah, that is exactly what a preview is. Previews, IMHO, are not reviews. I don't mention bugs precisely because they may negatively impact the game. Bugs I find in beta code, to include crash bugs, bugs that cause weird graphical problems and just plain things not implemented yet but in the works are not in a preview. I put in what is planned, not what actually I see. IL2's preview was about 70% of the final game, I felt I had to report what was planned. This is a short, 3 page preview of a game that is coming out for a generalized readership that plays flight, fighting, and driving simulations. If I tried to make it an in depth preview it would take four times longer and the readership at SimHq would be turned off.

I expect the game to ship in a much more polished condition. If I have problems then I will give it some more critiques. There are some things that frankly concern me but they probably will be fixed. If not then I will point them out. I don't think I would ever write a review that would be as in depth as a Subsim review but that isn't our focus. That is the focus of your writers. I am a flight sim guy doing some naval stuff because the subject matter is interesting. I am also trying to not write 15 page previews, it ticks off the boss.

[Rip]

Originally Posted by SimHq Tom Cofield

Boy you guys are rough. I had exactly two days with the game to do something with this preview. To be honest I replayed the campaign about four times but continuous crashes and odd bugs that will be fixed on release meant that I had to give up on trying to get any further in the campaign and just look at the single missions.

I am working with Beta code and to be honest, the game tended to crash whenever something really exciting started happening. Exterior views were almost impossible with this build simply because the game would cause horrific monitor difficulties whenever I went outside the boat. Likewise torpedo shots on ships created a slideshow effect. Part of the problem is my video card (Radeon 3850) and the other problem is beta code. The two convoys I did manage to maneuver close to turned into slideshows the moment I launced torpedoes. I do admit I should have taken more shots there but I was too busy cursing at the slideshow. Do not view this as a critique of the game. Almost every beta that I have worked with or have previewed has had similar problems. The game is more polished than a lot of previews I have seen and pretty darned complete but it is still beta and what it does with my Radeon gives me fits.

You guys have to understand the audience for the game at SimHq. It isn't Subsim. This is a direct entheusist site for Submarine fanatics. It should be a more detailed preview because it is designed for guys who are big time sub and naval boat guys. SimHq is a much more generalized site with a much wider fanbase. Any preview over 3 pages is nixed by management because it is too long for a preview.

As for Rah Rah, that is exactly what a preview is. Previews, IMHO, are not reviews. I don't mention bugs precisely because they may negatively impact the game. Bugs I find in beta code, to include crash bugs, bugs that cause weird graphical problems and just plain things not implemented yet but in the works are not in a preview. I put in what is planned, not what actually I see. IL2's preview was about 70% of the final game, I felt I had to report what was planned. This is a short, 3 page preview of a game that is coming out for a generalized readership that plays flight, fighting, and driving simulations. If I tried to make it an in depth preview it would take four times longer and the readership at SimHq would be turned off.

I expect the game to ship in a much more polished condition. If I have problems then I will give it some more critiques. There are some things that frankly concern me but they probably will be fixed. If not then I will point them out. I don't think I would ever write a review that would be as in depth as a Subsim review but that isn't our focus. That is the focus of your writers. I am a flight sim guy doing some naval stuff because the subject matter is interesting. I am also trying to not write 15 page previews, it ticks off the boss.

I wouldn't sweat it. You are correct this is a very tough crowd and they are about as riled up as you can get already. You never had a chance.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by SimHq Tom Cofield

Boy you guys are rough. I had exactly two days with the game to do something with this preview. To be honest I replayed the campaign about four times but continuous crashes and odd bugs that will be fixed on release meant that I had to give up on trying to get any further in the campaign and just look at the single missions.

I am working with Beta code and to be honest, the game tended to crash whenever something really exciting started happening. Exterior views were almost impossible with this build simply because the game would cause horrific monitor difficulties whenever I went outside the boat. Likewise torpedo shots on ships created a slideshow effect. Part of the problem is my video card (Radeon 3850) and the other problem is beta code. The two convoys I did manage to maneuver close to turned into slideshows the moment I launced torpedoes. I do admit I should have taken more shots there but I was too busy cursing at the slideshow. Do not view this as a critique of the game. Almost every beta that I have worked with or have previewed has had similar problems. The game is more polished than a lot of previews I have seen and pretty darned complete but it is still beta and what it does with my Radeon gives me fits.

You guys have to understand the audience for the game at SimHq. It isn't Subsim. This is a direct entheusist site for Submarine fanatics. It should be a more detailed preview because it is designed for guys who are big time sub and naval boat guys. SimHq is a much more generalized site with a much wider fanbase. Any preview over 3 pages is nixed by management because it is too long for a preview.

As for Rah Rah, that is exactly what a preview is. Previews, IMHO, are not reviews. I don't mention bugs precisely because they may negatively impact the game. Bugs I find in beta code, to include crash bugs, bugs that cause weird graphical problems and just plain things not implemented yet but in the works are not in a preview. I put in what is planned, not what actually I see. IL2's preview was about 70% of the final game, I felt I had to report what was planned. This is a short, 3 page preview of a game that is coming out for a generalized readership that plays flight, fighting, and driving simulations. If I tried to make it an in depth preview it would take four times longer and the readership at SimHq would be turned off.

I expect the game to ship in a much more polished condition. If I have problems then I will give it some more critiques. There are some things that frankly concern me but they probably will be fixed. If not then I will point them out. I don't think I would ever write a review that would be as in depth as a Subsim review but that isn't our focus. That is the focus of your writers. I am a flight sim guy doing some naval stuff because the subject matter is interesting. I am also trying to not write 15 page previews, it ticks off the boss.

Hey Tom, well said.

Before I began my preview, I tried to explain the purpose and scope of a preview, as opposed to a review. Sure, there are bugs and glitches in a beta build, but the preview is not there to be a bug list. How many game publishers would allow any 3rd party previews if the journalist presented the piece as a scathing report on the state of the unfinished game?

Look forward to reading your review when it comes out.

[Steeltrap]

Originally Posted by SimHq Tom Cofield

Boy you guys are rough.

This is a short, 3 page preview of a game that is coming out for a generalized readership that plays flight, fighting, and driving simulations. If I tried to make it an in depth preview it would take four times longer and the readership at SimHq would be turned off.

Yeah, wolfpack tactics are done to a fine art, here.

Welcome aboard. This place IS tough. As you pointed out, there's a lot of aggro around DRM. Was nice of you to point people to the thread here, but a pity the poll results aren't visible (that's not your fault, of course). I'm sure a lot of us would like to see your definitive statement about DRM, especially around the fact you won't support it due to the nature of your laptop use, prominent in your final review.

To be fair, I think you'll find people fairly reasonable when given more info. I certainly appreciate you taking the time to visit and post, and your explanation around the limits of your preview was great. In a sense it's a shame some comment on that couldn't have been in the preview, but that might have been making comments that would be unfair on the game (people might make unjustified conclusions about the game without reading the article carefully).

Anyway, thanks for the article and for visiting. I can't imagine this is the first time you've run into passionate enthusiasts and the somewhat 'demanding' attitude they display!

Cheers