Just a warm hello and kind thank you...

Silverleaf · 12-12-08, 08:36 PM

Greetings,

I just wanted to post a quick hello to all of you fellow sub freaks out there, and say that I've been hanging around for the last 2 or 3 years, just admiring some of the mods, videos on youtube, and great visuals both story and image wise that you all have shared.

So I finally took the plunge (literally) and decided to join. Why now?

I enjoy the stock SH3 - albeit with some odd problems here and there. But from all the reviews of the post GWX additions, SH3 was supposed to be and I quote "the most realistic sub simulation, and a great training aid". So, to test out this theory, I just installed the latest GWX 2.1 and updated SH3Commander and took this new game that I've been hearing so much about for a test drive.

My review:

I've used EnditALL since Win95, and decided to shut down every non-essential program prior to loading this new behemoth. Prior to doing so, stock SH3 would go from load screen to main menu in approximately 29 seconds. A very good time considering the amount of information and graphic data that had to be loaded.

After creating my character in SH3 I pushed the engage button.

GWX/SH3 load times were 26 seconds. I blinked, then when the game loaded, shut it down and reran that test 3 more times - thinking it was human error. Yep, faster initial load time and a glorious new menu greeted my eyes.

I started with the training exercises, since I wanted to experience each section a bit at a time and not be thrown "to the dogs" right away. From the get go I was very impressed with the visuals, specifically the changes to the interior dials and the attention to detail. Sounds were enthralling, and chatter amongst crewmen was better than before.

After making my way through the channel, I went topside for a look around and what greeted my eyes was lovely. Waves were lapping around the hull, capped by a seriously realistic wake when I looked aft. Shoreline, oh looky there, I spy some leaves floating in the water and 3 passing friendly boats on the right. Seagulls were capering around the ship and I caught one of my officers feeding them some sardine. He blushed when I looked his way (ok, I made that part up, but that gives you a sense of the immersion value).

After the message came in to dive to periscope depth, it was time to take a look in the water. What greeted my eyes was a sea floor that wasn't bland, but instead was teaming with an old wrecked hull, bubbles etc. It completed the vision I had of a sea floor during war time.

To say that I was impressed upon finishing exam 1 is an understatement.

****

Exam 2: Gun practice

Next was main gun practice. Shooting sitting ducks in stock SH3 became quite boring, because the ships went down very quickly. I instantly went for a large merchant farther away, and commanded the deck crew to aim for the water line. What happened next had me rivetted to the binoculars, watching as the ship just kept on going - 52 shells later she finally sank. Let me repeat that, 52 shells later.

4000 yard shots aren't that common in my estimation, but I wanted to witness distruction up close and personal so I took a flight over to the tanker to watch what might happen. What greeted my eyes when the shooting began ranks as one of the most satisfying moments for me in gaming history. A shell hit and Bonk, glanced off, leaving only a black residual mark. I had to pick my jaw up after that. Once my gunnery team got her sighted in though, fireworks ensued. Actual smoke and fire that is very realistic. Pieces parts flying everywhere, and explosions and sounds that are exactly spot on from the historical perspective.

The another shocker, on a 3rd merchant, I swear I saw a lifeboat plunge into the sea (will have to check for that in the future). Overall mission success, as I was left with few shells and an overwhelming sense that this is how it's supposed to be when your using a gun against a ship.

****

Exam 3: Airplanes

I immediately rigged for a crash dive, thinking to make some of the planes waste bombs. That was a wise move because shortly after getting to 5 meters, all hell broke loose. I was close to strangling the CE with his continuous supply of "We're taking damage!" - (perhaps 2 or 3 other lines of dialogue could be added here to give it a bit of variance) - but I was shaken badly by the chaos happening around me.

After I decided it was time to go on the offensive and surface, a call to the deck crew to man the flak gun and fire at will followed. I quickly set a close zig-zag pattern, telling the navigator to change course every minute or so and took one last look at Damage control before I joined the crew on deck. While there and trying to get some semblance of what was happening, I almost fell out of my seat and off the ship after a bomb went off that I swear rocked the boat close to 40 degrees to port. When the ship righted itself, the gunnery crew took over and nailed 4 planes.

A few minutes later I had massive casualties, replacements called to help and ducked below to the map to check course, heading and enemy position. I estimated I had 20 minutes before the ship would be able to regain some of the speed she lost due to engine damage. Then the gunnery crew nailed two more planes and we had survived, albeit with major damage.

****

Exam 4: Torpedoes is still to come.

****

Conclusion:

With the additions made by GWX 2.1 and SH3Commander to Silen Hunter III, I can humbly say that in my 45 years I've never been more pleased, more challenged, more immersed and impressed in a War Simulation. I'm a WWII freak, and I've always wanted to be involved in every aspect of Naval, Air and Submarine combat. This game is utterly amazing and fulfills every wish I could have about a sub simulation.

In conclusion, no higher praise can I give than by saying:

A round of applause to each and every person whom has worked on this game to improve the experience. What you the community have created here is truly a classic, a must play experience that is epic in scope, realistic in design, and stands as a fitting tribute to the brave men whom served in these very ships during WWII.

With a tear in my eye and a heartfelt thank you, I remain

R.S. Barker

Task Force · 12-12-08, 08:42 PM

Welcome to the SS fourms Silverleaf, If you have any issues with the game... this is the place to come.

irish1958 · 12-12-08, 08:57 PM

Welcome aboard, matey, GWX is great, but there are some other super mods out there that are very good also, and there are many, many excellent mods. This game can keep you going for years and never loose its grip. As you might not know, GWX 3.0 is coming and things are about to get better.

Task Force · 12-12-08, 09:01 PM

yea, Sh3 has been around for 3 years, and still people havent gotten bord of it.

sunvalleyslim · 12-12-08, 09:04 PM

Welcome Aboard Kapt. and Good Hunting, but watch out for Kapt. Balz..........

Silverleaf · 12-12-08, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the kind welcomes. 8)

I'm looking to add 2 mods. One for larger dials - given I have really bad eyes and spend way too much time trying to set an exact speed. I see there are a few out there, one that I've already downloaded is 13owman's Readable Dial Mod.exe

The problem is that I can't find any threads that give any details before I screw something up. Speaking of that, I've not activated any mods through JSGME as of yet - just going with the basic GWX 2.1 install since I'm not sure how they all will work together - so more research will be needed.

The second I'm considering is the realistic water mod. I need to do some research to see if it's 100 % compatible with GWX and SH3.

Cheers,

R.S.

12-12-08, 08:36 PM	#1
Silverleaf Wild Night in Bangkok Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 179 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Just a warm hello and kind thank you... Greetings, I just wanted to post a quick hello to all of you fellow sub freaks out there, and say that I've been hanging around for the last 2 or 3 years, just admiring some of the mods, videos on youtube, and great visuals both story and image wise that you all have shared. So I finally took the plunge (literally) and decided to join. Why now? I enjoy the stock SH3 - albeit with some odd problems here and there. But from all the reviews of the post GWX additions, SH3 was supposed to be and I quote "the most realistic sub simulation, and a great training aid". So, to test out this theory, I just installed the latest GWX 2.1 and updated SH3Commander and took this new game that I've been hearing so much about for a test drive. My review: I've used EnditALL since Win95, and decided to shut down every non-essential program prior to loading this new behemoth. Prior to doing so, stock SH3 would go from load screen to main menu in approximately 29 seconds. A very good time considering the amount of information and graphic data that had to be loaded. After creating my character in SH3 I pushed the engage button. GWX/SH3 load times were 26 seconds. I blinked, then when the game loaded, shut it down and reran that test 3 more times - thinking it was human error. Yep, faster initial load time and a glorious new menu greeted my eyes. I started with the training exercises, since I wanted to experience each section a bit at a time and not be thrown "to the dogs" right away. From the get go I was very impressed with the visuals, specifically the changes to the interior dials and the attention to detail. Sounds were enthralling, and chatter amongst crewmen was better than before. After making my way through the channel, I went topside for a look around and what greeted my eyes was lovely. Waves were lapping around the hull, capped by a seriously realistic wake when I looked aft. Shoreline, oh looky there, I spy some leaves floating in the water and 3 passing friendly boats on the right. Seagulls were capering around the ship and I caught one of my officers feeding them some sardine. He blushed when I looked his way (ok, I made that part up, but that gives you a sense of the immersion value). After the message came in to dive to periscope depth, it was time to take a look in the water. What greeted my eyes was a sea floor that wasn't bland, but instead was teaming with an old wrecked hull, bubbles etc. It completed the vision I had of a sea floor during war time. To say that I was impressed upon finishing exam 1 is an understatement. ** Exam 2: Gun practice Next was main gun practice. Shooting sitting ducks in stock SH3 became quite boring, because the ships went down very quickly. I instantly went for a large merchant farther away, and commanded the deck crew to aim for the water line. What happened next had me rivetted to the binoculars, watching as the ship just kept on going - 52 shells later she finally sank. Let me repeat that, 52 shells later. 4000 yard shots aren't that common in my estimation, but I wanted to witness distruction up close and personal so I took a flight over to the tanker to watch what might happen. What greeted my eyes when the shooting began ranks as one of the most satisfying moments for me in gaming history. A shell hit and Bonk, glanced off, leaving only a black residual mark. I had to pick my jaw up after that. Once my gunnery team got her sighted in though, fireworks ensued. Actual smoke and fire that is very realistic. Pieces parts flying everywhere, and explosions and sounds that are exactly spot on from the historical perspective. The another shocker, on a 3rd merchant, I swear I saw a lifeboat plunge into the sea (will have to check for that in the future). Overall mission success, as I was left with few shells and an overwhelming sense that this is how it's supposed to be when your using a gun against a ship. Exam 3: Airplanes I immediately rigged for a crash dive, thinking to make some of the planes waste bombs. That was a wise move because shortly after getting to 5 meters, all hell broke loose. I was close to strangling the CE with his continuous supply of "We're taking damage!" - (perhaps 2 or 3 other lines of dialogue could be added here to give it a bit of variance) - but I was shaken badly by the chaos happening around me. After I decided it was time to go on the offensive and surface, a call to the deck crew to man the flak gun and fire at will followed. I quickly set a close zig-zag pattern, telling the navigator to change course every minute or so and took one last look at Damage control before I joined the crew on deck. While there and trying to get some semblance of what was happening, I almost fell out of my seat and off the ship after a bomb went off that I swear rocked the boat close to 40 degrees to port. When the ship righted itself, the gunnery crew took over and nailed 4 planes. A few minutes later I had massive casualties, replacements called to help and ducked below to the map to check course, heading and enemy position. I estimated I had 20 minutes before the ship would be able to regain some of the speed she lost due to engine damage. Then the gunnery crew nailed two more planes and we had survived, albeit with major damage. Exam 4: Torpedoes is still to come. ** Conclusion: With the additions made by GWX 2.1 and SH3Commander to Silen Hunter III, I can humbly say that in my 45 years I've never been more pleased, more challenged, more immersed and impressed in a War Simulation. I'm a WWII freak, and I've always wanted to be involved in every aspect of Naval, Air and Submarine combat. This game is utterly amazing and fulfills every wish I could have about a sub simulation. In conclusion, no higher praise can I give than by saying: A round of applause to each and every person whom has worked on this game to improve the experience. What you the community have created here is truly a classic, a must play experience that is epic in scope, realistic in design, and stands as a fitting tribute to the brave men whom served in these very ships during WWII. With a tear in my eye and a heartfelt thank you, I remain R.S. Barker Last edited by Silverleaf; 12-12-08 at 08:39 PM.

12-12-08, 08:42 PM	#2
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Welcome to the SS fourms Silverleaf, If you have any issues with the game... this is the place to come. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

12-12-08, 08:57 PM	#3
irish1958 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Carmel, Indiana Posts: 3,250 Downloads: 320 Uploads: 11	Welcome aboard, matey, GWX is great, but there are some other super mods out there that are very good also, and there are many, many excellent mods. This game can keep you going for years and never loose its grip. As you might not know, GWX 3.0 is coming and things are about to get better. __________________ Irish1958

12-12-08, 09:01 PM	#4
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	yea, Sh3 has been around for 3 years, and still people havent gotten bord of it. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

12-12-08, 09:04 PM	#5
sunvalleyslim Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, Ca Posts: 1,142 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Welcome Aboard Kapt. and Good Hunting, but watch out for Kapt. Balz.......... __________________ Crew member/ decommission member TM2(SS)(SD) 3/68-7/70 DIESEL BOATS FOREVER USS SEGUNDO (SS398)

12-12-08, 09:18 PM	#6
Silverleaf Wild Night in Bangkok Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 179 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the kind welcomes. 8) I'm looking to add 2 mods. One for larger dials - given I have really bad eyes and spend way too much time trying to set an exact speed. I see there are a few out there, one that I've already downloaded is 13owman's Readable Dial Mod.exe The problem is that I can't find any threads that give any details before I screw something up. Speaking of that, I've not activated any mods through JSGME as of yet - just going with the basic GWX 2.1 install since I'm not sure how they all will work together - so more research will be needed. The second I'm considering is the realistic water mod. I need to do some research to see if it's 100 % compatible with GWX and SH3. Cheers, R.S.