Is SH3 for me?

Flaxpants · 06-16-10, 10:20 PM

Hi everyone, I'm new around here and am interested in buying the Silent Hunter game after having a friend of mine raving about it incessantly, so I figure it's time to give it a go myself. I have a couple questions about different versions of the game and which one I should go for- my friend plays SH5 but I can rule this version out immediately due to the required internet connection- where I live there is no decent internet connection and would rather avoid relying on it to be able to play myself. Needless to say I am mostly interested in the single player game.
I have been reading up online about the other versions and trying to get a feel for which one is most highly regarded, and most of the positive comments I'm finding are for SH3. SH1 & 2 are too old for me as I want to have semi decent graphics. So my questions to you guys are: SH3 or SH4? Which in your opinion is the best all-round game and why? Whichever version I buy, I would also want to obtain any/all official expansions at the same time, so presumably there is a 'gold' edition or something that will give me the complete game?
Anything you can tell me would be most useful and much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Ducimus · 06-16-10, 10:43 PM

>>where I live there is no decent internet connection

Yup, SH5, is right out.

>>Needless to say I am mostly interested in the single player game.

You've come to the right place

>>SH1 & 2 are too old for me

Me too.

>> as I want to have semi decent graphics.

Define semi decent?

>>So my questions to you guys are: SH3 or SH4?

That i think depends on what your into, and how you define "semi decent graphics".

If your into Uboats, partial to the atlantic theater, and don't mind a graphic engine that is a little dated, then SH3 is definatly a good choice.

If your not partial to any theater, and want a game that looks a little better graphicly, then SH4 is a good choice.

>>Which in your opinion is the best all-round game and why?

Though i admit here, cause i spent the last few years modding SH4, i have to admit it is a mixed bag. In a nutshell......

Everything about SH3 as a game engine works correctly. It's a little dated around the edges, slow to load, but it's a solid platform, has great atmosphere, and it freaking works.

SH4, you have more choices. With the mods available you have around, (and im over generalizing), something like 10 to 12 different types of submarines to play with, in two different theaters of war. In SH3 you have half that, and only one theater of war. That said, while the game looks better graphically, some things that used to function in SH3, no longer function correctly in SH4 (and even less so in SH5

).

So really, it all depends on what your into. Personally, if i was a die hard Uboat fan, i think id be playing SH3. I'm a bit more rounded though, so ive been sticking with SH4, with some brief forays into SH5.

Flaxpants · 06-16-10, 11:05 PM

Thanks for your prompt and thorough reply Ducimus, nice one.
In answer to your questions- re semi-decent graphics, yes, a bit vague I know!. I guess so long as they're not terribly dated I am cool with that. What's more important to me is the fun- if the gameplay is good and the atmosphere captures the 'thrill of the hunt', then my imagination can quite happily fill in the blanks. Having said that- a nice looking game is, well, nice to look at.
I'm not a U-boat fanatic per se, its the gameplay I'm after, I'm also not really that bothered about which theatre/era I'm playing in, so long as I get to blow stuff up!
When you say SH4 has more choices, are you referrng to the game engine itself or the modding options? As an example, I mostly play sim type games, FSX, Arma2 etc.. I tend to like the more in-depth games that allow me to exercise a fine level of control, I don't know if there is any difference in the level of detail in that regard between SH3 and SH4?
Thanks again.

krashkart · 06-16-10, 10:52 PM

I've experienced SH3, so that's the only one I can recommend.

pickinthebanjo · 06-16-10, 11:09 PM

I own both, I prefer SH3 mainly because of the Atlantic theater but SH4 has that as well (Some mod I used in the past. I can't recall the name, it's common though) but also because I find SH4 to be troublesome. I like the plane attacks alot more in SH4 but thats about it, the american subs confuse the hell out of me (it's that damn hydrophone/SONAR and that TDC) but I also find it to be less stable than SH3.

SH3 has alot more mods available to choose from that include the sub interiors (Diesel room, Officers quarters/Mess, Crew quarters and the galley) as well as the new Merchant fleet mod, and many supermods that alter the game in many ways. The greaphics are fine by me, I sound SH4's to be chunky. (and the crew always stared at me, it was unnerving)

With mods like SH4 effects, GWX Enhanced Damage effects, and SH5 water you can get pretty much what your looking for but with more stability, immersion and realism.

timmy41 · 06-16-10, 11:17 PM

SH3

Ducimus · 06-16-10, 11:44 PM

>>I guess so long as they're not terribly dated I am cool with that. What's more important to me is the fun- if the gameplay is good and the atmosphere captures the 'thrill of the hunt', then my imagination can quite happily fill in the blanks

SH3 might be your speed then. As graphics go, compare screenshot threads in SH3 and SH4 forums. Id suggest starting at the end of those threads and work your way backwards.

>>When you say SH4 has more choices, are you referrng to the game engine itself or the modding options?

Theater and submarine options.
You can play operation Monson for uboats, and TMO and RFB for fleet boats. All told with OM, you can play Type II B/C/D, Type VII B/C/C41/D, Type IX, Type IX B/C/C40/D2, Type XXI, Type XXIII on the uboat side of the house, or S boat, Porpoise, salmon, sargo, tambor/gar, gato, balao, tench, and narwhal classes on the fleet boat side.

>>in-depth games that allow me to exercise a fine level of control,

level of control is about the same in SH3 and SH4 really.

--------------------------------

>>SH3 has alot more mods available to choose from that include the sub interiors

Sh4 is catching up in that department.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=158706
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=155147

and here, which is arguably mod of the year:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170944

Get those 3 works combined, and it'll kick ass.

>>(and the crew always stared at me, it was unnerving)

That was fixed.

FIREWALL · 06-17-10, 12:13 AM

SHCommander is the deal maker for SH3 GWX.

If SH4 with TMO or ATO had a Commander it would be a hard decision if I had to choose only one. SH3 or SH4.

06-16-10, 10:20 PM	#1
Flaxpants Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Koh Samui, Thailand Posts: 1,196 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Is SH3 for me? Hi everyone, I'm new around here and am interested in buying the Silent Hunter game after having a friend of mine raving about it incessantly, so I figure it's time to give it a go myself. I have a couple questions about different versions of the game and which one I should go for- my friend plays SH5 but I can rule this version out immediately due to the required internet connection- where I live there is no decent internet connection and would rather avoid relying on it to be able to play myself. Needless to say I am mostly interested in the single player game. I have been reading up online about the other versions and trying to get a feel for which one is most highly regarded, and most of the positive comments I'm finding are for SH3. SH1 & 2 are too old for me as I want to have semi decent graphics. So my questions to you guys are: SH3 or SH4? Which in your opinion is the best all-round game and why? Whichever version I buy, I would also want to obtain any/all official expansions at the same time, so presumably there is a 'gold' edition or something that will give me the complete game? Anything you can tell me would be most useful and much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

06-16-10, 10:52 PM	#4
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	I've experienced SH3, so that's the only one I can recommend. __________________ sent from my fingertips using a cheap keyboard

06-16-10, 11:09 PM	#5
pickinthebanjo Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 651 Downloads: 282 Uploads: 0	I own both, I prefer SH3 mainly because of the Atlantic theater but SH4 has that as well (Some mod I used in the past. I can't recall the name, it's common though) but also because I find SH4 to be troublesome. I like the plane attacks alot more in SH4 but thats about it, the american subs confuse the hell out of me (it's that damn hydrophone/SONAR and that TDC) but I also find it to be less stable than SH3. SH3 has alot more mods available to choose from that include the sub interiors (Diesel room, Officers quarters/Mess, Crew quarters and the galley) as well as the new Merchant fleet mod, and many supermods that alter the game in many ways. The greaphics are fine by me, I sound SH4's to be chunky. (and the crew always stared at me, it was unnerving) With mods like SH4 effects, GWX Enhanced Damage effects, and SH5 water you can get pretty much what your looking for but with more stability, immersion and realism. __________________ Intel Core I7 980x - ASUS Rampage III - EVGA GTX 570 - OCZ Gold 1600Mhz 6Gb - Intel X25-M 80Gb - Coolermaster HAF 932 - Windows 7 Ultimate - CoolerMaster 1200W SH3 Deeper Torpedo Launch / Realistic Crush Depth Mod Here - http://www.filefront.com/user/pickinthebanjo Last edited by pickinthebanjo; 06-16-10 at 11:20 PM.

06-17-10, 12:13 AM	#8
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	SHCommander is the deal maker for SH3 GWX. If SH4 with TMO or ATO had a Commander it would be a hard decision if I had to choose only one. SH3 or SH4. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

06-16-10, 10:43 PM	#2
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	>>where I live there is no decent internet connection Yup, SH5, is right out. >>Needless to say I am mostly interested in the single player game. You've come to the right place >>SH1 & 2 are too old for me Me too. >> as I want to have semi decent graphics. Define semi decent? >>So my questions to you guys are: SH3 or SH4? That i think depends on what your into, and how you define "semi decent graphics". If your into Uboats, partial to the atlantic theater, and don't mind a graphic engine that is a little dated, then SH3 is definatly a good choice. If your not partial to any theater, and want a game that looks a little better graphicly, then SH4 is a good choice. >>Which in your opinion is the best all-round game and why? Though i admit here, cause i spent the last few years modding SH4, i have to admit it is a mixed bag. In a nutshell...... Everything about SH3 as a game engine works correctly. It's a little dated around the edges, slow to load, but it's a solid platform, has great atmosphere, and it freaking works. SH4, you have more choices. With the mods available you have around, (and im over generalizing), something like 10 to 12 different types of submarines to play with, in two different theaters of war. In SH3 you have half that, and only one theater of war. That said, while the game looks better graphically, some things that used to function in SH3, no longer function correctly in SH4 (and even less so in SH5 ). So really, it all depends on what your into. Personally, if i was a die hard Uboat fan, i think id be playing SH3. I'm a bit more rounded though, so ive been sticking with SH4, with some brief forays into SH5.

06-16-10, 11:05 PM	#3
Flaxpants Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Koh Samui, Thailand Posts: 1,196 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Thanks for your prompt and thorough reply Ducimus, nice one. In answer to your questions- re semi-decent graphics, yes, a bit vague I know!. I guess so long as they're not terribly dated I am cool with that. What's more important to me is the fun- if the gameplay is good and the atmosphere captures the 'thrill of the hunt', then my imagination can quite happily fill in the blanks. Having said that- a nice looking game is, well, nice to look at. I'm not a U-boat fanatic per se, its the gameplay I'm after, I'm also not really that bothered about which theatre/era I'm playing in, so long as I get to blow stuff up! When you say SH4 has more choices, are you referrng to the game engine itself or the modding options? As an example, I mostly play sim type games, FSX, Arma2 etc.. I tend to like the more in-depth games that allow me to exercise a fine level of control, I don't know if there is any difference in the level of detail in that regard between SH3 and SH4? Thanks again.

06-16-10, 11:17 PM	#6
timmy41 Weps Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 367 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	SH3

06-16-10, 11:44 PM	#7
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	>>I guess so long as they're not terribly dated I am cool with that. What's more important to me is the fun- if the gameplay is good and the atmosphere captures the 'thrill of the hunt', then my imagination can quite happily fill in the blanks SH3 might be your speed then. As graphics go, compare screenshot threads in SH3 and SH4 forums. Id suggest starting at the end of those threads and work your way backwards. >>When you say SH4 has more choices, are you referrng to the game engine itself or the modding options? Theater and submarine options. You can play operation Monson for uboats, and TMO and RFB for fleet boats. All told with OM, you can play Type II B/C/D, Type VII B/C/C41/D, Type IX, Type IX B/C/C40/D2, Type XXI, Type XXIII on the uboat side of the house, or S boat, Porpoise, salmon, sargo, tambor/gar, gato, balao, tench, and narwhal classes on the fleet boat side. >>in-depth games that allow me to exercise a fine level of control, level of control is about the same in SH3 and SH4 really. -------------------------------- >>SH3 has alot more mods available to choose from that include the sub interiors Sh4 is catching up in that department. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=158706 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=155147 and here, which is arguably mod of the year: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=170944 Get those 3 works combined, and it'll kick ass. >>(and the crew always stared at me, it was unnerving) That was fixed.