SUBSIM: Silent Hunter 5 review (17/03/10) - Page 3

mookiemookie · 03-17-10, 08:33 AM

Surprised you haven't been called a DRM fanboy for not calling for a boycott and firebombing of the offices of Ubisoft.

EDIT: Oh wait, just a few posts up - you pretty much have been! I knew the zealots wouldn't let me down.

Good review. I'd say you summed it all up nicely.

RSColonel_131st · 03-17-10, 08:35 AM

Well, a Boycott and Firebombing of the Offices might be a tad extreme, but failing to mention the recurring problems caused on UBI's side clearly shows that Neal has taken a stance on this issue, and it's not on the side of the customers who can't play the game they paid for.

I mean, if the game refused to load or shut itself down randomly due to other "normal" technical bugs, it certainly would be mentioned in the review as a lack of stability, not? So why does UBI get a pass for technical problems caused by DRM?

The General · 03-17-10, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSColonel_131st

Well, a Boycott and Firebombing of the Offices might be a tad extreme, but failing to mention the recurring problems caused on UBI's side clearly shows that Neal has taken a stance on this issue, and it's not on the side of the customers who can't play the game they paid for.

I mean, if the game refused to load or shut itself down randomly due to other "normal" technical bugs, it certainly would be mentioned in the review as a lack of stability, not? So why does UBI get a pass for technical problems caused by DRM?

The reoccuring problem with DRM you mention is so rare as to be a non-issue. The problems inherent with the game are of much greater importance and Neal has wisely chosen to focus upon them.

RSColonel_131st · 03-17-10, 08:50 AM

You did see those numerous users in the forums here who couldn't connect on two consecutive weekends for many hours, and again yesterday? That is "rare" to you? If the TDC doesn't give 100% accurate solutions you can at least still enjoy other parts of the game, though I agree that these problems also need fixing urgently.

Gato76 · 03-17-10, 08:50 AM

Excellent honest review.Thanks

wetgoat · 03-17-10, 08:56 AM

I believe you covered the pros and cons very well. Excellent review.

Bilge_Rat · 03-17-10, 08:59 AM

excellent review Neal.

the game can only improve and should be 90+ in no time..

DragonRR1 · 03-17-10, 09:27 AM

Great review. The DRM problem has affected me a few times so far. For me this isn't the end of the world but an annoyance. What disturbs me more than anything else is the lack (as usual) of information regarding patches, I had hoped your review would contain some inside knowledge of this but it doesn't, not even a hint. The game is playable in it's current form but a large patch or smaller patches are needed. It is incredibly frustrating to know that UBI may not be working on a patch and may never produce a patch if the sales aren't good enough.

I totally agree with this comment in your summary:

"Would I recommend buying SH5? No, you should wait at least 6 to 9 weeks to see if Ubisoft supports the game with patches."

I bought it and feel that I should have waited....

609_Avatar · 03-17-10, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the review Neal! Even though I don't own the game it has reflected a lot about what I've been able to gauge from it and thus feel about it. I always appreciate your perspective.

ReFaN · 03-17-10, 10:02 AM

exelent review, liked the picture with the different campaigns the most, ahem.

sharkbit · 03-17-10, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSColonel_131st

You did see those numerous users in the forums here who couldn't connect on two consecutive weekends for many hours, and again yesterday? That is "rare" to you? If the TDC doesn't give 100% accurate solutions you can at least still enjoy other parts of the game, though I agree that these problems also need fixing urgently.

Everybody is aware of the DRM issues. DRM is not only a SHV issue, UBI is doing or going to do it with other releases.

Neal's review is what most people, including myself, want and have been waiting on-a review of the gameplay, campaign, user interface, manual, etc.

Easy Tiger · 03-17-10, 10:15 AM

Enjoyable review.

I agree though the DRM issues seem to have been somewhat avoided - they haven't sounded to me like a 'minor annoyance' and certainly haven't been rare.. if the game can't be played for hours on end then that's a critical fault and should be considered.

03-17-10, 10:16 AM

A solid and enlightening review, thanks.

The improved graphics are, at the moment, this game's greatest asset.

I would hate to think what the opinion of someone who has no previous experience of the SH series would be, as Neal said- the bugs and vagueness would leave a very poor first impression. I don't think most gamers readily turn to modifications as their first port of call- they rightly assume patch releases will sort out the problems.

At this moment I reckon SH5 will become the game we were all hoping for- it'll just take some time...

floundericiousWA · 03-17-10, 10:29 AM

As others have said, top notch review which sells the good points and hands out lumps for the bad/meh points.

Well written review, Neal!

Safe-Keeper · 03-17-10, 10:38 AM

The review states several times that the game doesn't come with a printed manual. Now, I don't know anything about the US version, but the copy I bought from a Norwegian store features both the manual and a four-page Quick Start (you know, "put DVD in drive and do this and that if autorun is off", etc.) leaflet in Scandinavian and Finnish.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841702
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841726
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841741
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841752

03-17-10, 08:33 AM	#31
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	Surprised you haven't been called a DRM fanboy for not calling for a boycott and firebombing of the offices of Ubisoft. EDIT: Oh wait, just a few posts up - you pretty much have been! I knew the zealots wouldn't let me down. Good review. I'd say you summed it all up nicely. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

03-17-10, 08:59 AM	#37
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,856 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	excellent review Neal. the game can only improve and should be 90+ in no time.. __________________

03-17-10, 09:53 AM	#39
609_Avatar Watch Officer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: 3rd Planet From The Sun Posts: 345 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the review Neal! Even though I don't own the game it has reflected a lot about what I've been able to gauge from it and thus feel about it. I always appreciate your perspective. __________________ Avatar

03-17-10, 10:02 AM	#40
ReFaN Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 831 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	exelent review, liked the picture with the different campaigns the most, ahem. __________________ Liverpool is my relegion, Anfield is my church. True believers never walk alone.

03-17-10, 10:29 AM	#44
floundericiousWA Medic Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 164 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	As others have said, top notch review which sells the good points and hands out lumps for the bad/meh points. Well written review, Neal! __________________ C.O. - USS Tambor "Defending that which is sincerely good and perfectly divine; Triumphant over death, and chance, and time..."

03-17-10, 08:35 AM	#32
RSColonel_131st Medic Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 164 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well, a Boycott and Firebombing of the Offices might be a tad extreme, but failing to mention the recurring problems caused on UBI's side clearly shows that Neal has taken a stance on this issue, and it's not on the side of the customers who can't play the game they paid for. I mean, if the game refused to load or shut itself down randomly due to other "normal" technical bugs, it certainly would be mentioned in the review as a lack of stability, not? So why does UBI get a pass for technical problems caused by DRM?

03-17-10, 08:50 AM	#34
RSColonel_131st Medic Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 164 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You did see those numerous users in the forums here who couldn't connect on two consecutive weekends for many hours, and again yesterday? That is "rare" to you? If the TDC doesn't give 100% accurate solutions you can at least still enjoy other parts of the game, though I agree that these problems also need fixing urgently.

03-17-10, 08:50 AM	#35
Gato76 Planesman Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 192 Downloads: 82 Uploads: 0	Excellent honest review.Thanks

03-17-10, 08:56 AM	#36
wetgoat Loader Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 87 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	I believe you covered the pros and cons very well. Excellent review.

03-17-10, 09:27 AM	#38
DragonRR1 Officer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: UK Posts: 246 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Great review. The DRM problem has affected me a few times so far. For me this isn't the end of the world but an annoyance. What disturbs me more than anything else is the lack (as usual) of information regarding patches, I had hoped your review would contain some inside knowledge of this but it doesn't, not even a hint. The game is playable in it's current form but a large patch or smaller patches are needed. It is incredibly frustrating to know that UBI may not be working on a patch and may never produce a patch if the sales aren't good enough. I totally agree with this comment in your summary: "Would I recommend buying SH5? No, you should wait at least 6 to 9 weeks to see if Ubisoft supports the game with patches." I bought it and feel that I should have waited....

03-17-10, 10:15 AM	#42
Easy Tiger Watch Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 23 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Enjoyable review. I agree though the DRM issues seem to have been somewhat avoided - they haven't sounded to me like a 'minor annoyance' and certainly haven't been rare.. if the game can't be played for hours on end then that's a critical fault and should be considered.

03-17-10, 10:16 AM	#43
rededge Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	A solid and enlightening review, thanks. The improved graphics are, at the moment, this game's greatest asset. I would hate to think what the opinion of someone who has no previous experience of the SH series would be, as Neal said- the bugs and vagueness would leave a very poor first impression. I don't think most gamers readily turn to modifications as their first port of call- they rightly assume patch releases will sort out the problems. At this moment I reckon SH5 will become the game we were all hoping for- it'll just take some time...

03-17-10, 10:38 AM	#45
Safe-Keeper Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Posts: 3,234 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Correction: Norwegian copy come with printed manual The review states several times that the game doesn't come with a printed manual. Now, I don't know anything about the US version, but the copy I bought from a Norwegian store features both the manual and a four-page Quick Start (you know, "put DVD in drive and do this and that if autorun is off", etc.) leaflet in Scandinavian and Finnish. http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841702 http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841726 http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841741 http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1268841752 __________________ First Strike Mod tester. Hardcore sub skipper. Last edited by Onkel Neal; 03-17-10 at 01:47 PM. Reason: removed image with product code