A Q on SHV

[bill clarke]

Guys, could I please have some feed back on this new sim, my daughter wants to buy it for my birthday.
I'd appreciate some honest advice on why she should or should not buy it.
I have read some of the posts regarding the game, and understand some of you are really passionate about it, I'm looking for the good points vs the bad please.

Thanks guys.

[Nickolas]

As it hasn't been released yet no one can tell you if it's fun or not. I don't want to tell you the obvious stuff you must have read (the campaing, the uboats and stuff) but I think the DRM (constant internet connection) deserves some thought.



ps: in other words, an answer that is not really an answer . But it's mainly because there isn't much to talk about.

[Letum]

We need to know what, for you, would qualify it as being worth buying?
Then we can answer the question.

[Arclight]

Honestly? If you're not sure about it, give it a little time after release, get some feedback from reviewers and users.

I'd pre-order it if any of my usual shops gave the option (it's listed as "coming soon", but no pre-order), if only because I want to see for myself. But it seems impossible to recommend, considering the half-finished state of previous titles and uncertainty about this OSP/DRM thing (whether or not the servers prove reliable, personally already accepted the limitations).



(imho)

Pros: a lot has been done to deliver an immersive experience; full interior, more in-depth crew interaction, ability to walk around the dock, you are the captain

(mostly?) New engine; anti-aliasing build in, dynamic shadows seem to be a big point for some, better dynamics (how the sub and ships react to the water), 3D wakes (surface actually reacts to ships moving through the water)

Increased potential for modding (claimed by devs, personally pretty confident but there are doubts)

Truly dynamic campaign; player actions affect "history", by extension (presumable) greater degree of historical accuracy. (at least up to the point you start messing with it )

Ship rosters; never sink that same battleship twice

More Silent Hunter



Cons: Ubi's track record; pressing "A" causes CTD for example (SH4), unpolished product

This non-DRM (?) OSP stuff; new tech, lot's of uncertainty



Niggles:
There might be some issues with crewmembers turning a handle that is located where their hands aren't, shadows seem to be missing for some stuff, "flat world", interface, unrealistic crew-abilities, etc. Not deal-breakers imo but issues non the less.

[bill clarke]

So what's with the DRM thing ?, why is being introduced ?

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by bill clarke

So what's with the DRM thing ?, why is being introduced ?

It's Ubisoft's latest "great idea" to combat software piracy. They figure if the game needs a constant connection to Ubisoft servers in order to work, then pirate versions won't work. Unfortunately when draconian DRM schemes are introduced, it just steels the pirates' resolve even more.

[Méo]

I agree with Arclight and I would add:

Pros: AI operated U-boats may support you during convoys battle.

Cons: No real interaction with BdU.

[bill clarke]

So if you need a constant connection, then UBI need to guarantee that the server won't go down, so how will they do that ?, and is game going to be a down loadable game ? or do we get a disc and instruction manual ?

[Iron Budokan]

Originally Posted by bill clarke

Guys, could I please have some feed back on this new sim, my daughter wants to buy it for my birthday.
I'd appreciate some honest advice on why she should or should not buy it.
I have read some of the posts regarding the game, and understand some of you are really passionate about it, I'm looking for the good points vs the bad please.

Thanks guys.

Seriously, I would wait before she buys this game.

[FIREWALL]

I would suggest you wait until UBI releases a gameplay video.

Usally they put one out just before release.

But with all the heat they may not.

It seems the more they "show & tell" the worse it gets.

[Jimbuna]

Apologies if you have already made reference to your actual birthday date Bill but if it is after the release date it might be wise for you to await the inevitable reviews and opinions which will abound this forum.

The alternative is to pay your money and take your chance (well your daughters money anyway)

[IanC]

Originally Posted by bill clarke

Guys, could I please have some feed back on this new sim, my daughter wants to buy it for my birthday.
I'd appreciate some honest advice on why she should or should not buy it.
I have read some of the posts regarding the game, and understand some of you are really passionate about it, I'm looking for the good points vs the bad please.

Thanks guys.

You tell your daughter to WAIT and read some reviews once this game is out. Because right now we have no idea if it sucks or is the best subsim since Aces of the Deep. Right now it looks like some kind of scary hybrid between The Sims and SH4, but that's just my opinion.
Also I'm assuming you know all about the constant connection thing? That means you have to have reliable DSL minimum internet if you want to play.

[martes86]

Originally Posted by IanC

Because right now we have no idea if it sucks or is the best subsim since Aces of the Deep.

Point there. Too many "How?"s and "What?"s still left to answer, and besides the final judgement by many people saying it is arcadish just by the interface, I hold the opinion that we can't judge either way, not with just partial information. Without full information, it is difficult to send a judgement. We don't have enough information as to whether it will be a hit or a fail, so, if possible, your daughter should wait, and if not possible, she should get you something else. Better to change the present than to hold hopes high and then be disappointed by a present you don't like.
And in case you're wondering, I'll be buying the game, despite some serious concerns of mine, but my honest opinion is that presented above.

Cheers