SUBSIM Review -- Ratings

SUBSIM
Review Ratings

Ratings table for subsims reviewed 1993-2000
Realism
20 max Historical Accuracy
10 max Graphics
10 max Sound/
Music
10 max Game play
20 max Repeat Play
10 max Program stability
15 max Multi- play
5 max
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

BONUS: Extra points awarded for unique qualities such as value, originality, attention to detail, and tech support. Overall points deducted for age.

Ratings table for subsims reviewed 2001 on
Realism
20 max Historical Accuracy
10 max Graphics
10 max Sound/
Music
10 max Game play
20 max Repeat Play
10 max Stability
/Bugs
10 max Multi- play
5 max Mission Editor
5 max
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
BONUS: Extra points awarded for unique qualities such as value, originality, attention to detail, and tech support. Overall points deducted for age.



Only the very exceptional naval or subsim can be awarded the Subsim Direct Hit! badge.

90 - 100 Middle of
Target
(MOT) A top-notch subsim. Excellence in details and execution. Gameplay that will hold your interest for months. Exacting attention to historical accuracy. State-of-the-art graphics, sounds, and features.

80 - 89 Shooting solution Solid, rewarding subsims. Enjoyable gameplay. Good graphics and sound files. Good value.

70 - 79 Holding
contact Fair subsim action. Some good features but comes up short in other areas.

60 -69 Smoke on
the horizon Passable subsim action. Usually either an older sim or very basic.

50 - 59 On
station Meager subsim action. Play for a while then onto something else. Nothing to write home about.

0 - 49 Dead in
the water Deplorable. No action. Blow sanitaries!

    SUBSIM Review plays each subsim for a minimum two weeks (40 hours) before submitting a review. The rating is based on the combined score of the important aspects: Realism, historical accuracy, graphics and sounds, gameplay, repeat play, program stability (bugs), multiplay, and mission editor. Each category has a number of points allotted in relation to the importance of that category. Therefore, since realism is more highly coveted than graphics, realism contributes a maximum of 20 points while graphics adds a maximum of 10. All categories are important, some more than others.

    Submarine and naval simulations are not usually top sellers and it is rare if more than one is released in a given year. So it is normal for a subsim that is 6 years old to remain viable. However, since the rating reflects the overall performance of the sim at the time it was new and cutting edge, after 3 years overall Age points begin to be deducted from the rating. The Age points could be due to aging graphics when compared to current sim graphics, stability issues with older operating systems and drivers, and outmoded standards of realism and gameplay. As a rule, once a sim hits the three year mark, it is re-evaluated and if some areas are found lacking Age points may be deducted.

3 years old: 2 pts
4-5 years old : 3~5 pts
over 5 years old: 5~10 pts

    Age points ensure that a ten-year-old subsim will not be carrying a 90 rating when it is clear that regardless of how fantastic the gameplay and graphics were 10 years ago, the rating is not comparable to current subsims. One thing is for sure, no matter how old a subsim is or how many Age points are deducted, if it won the coveted SUBSIM Review Direct Hit! award, it retains the award forever.

     Naval and subsims are reviewed with available patches. If a new patch is released that significantly improves the sim after the review is published, we reevaluate the sim. We do want to reward ongoing support by dev teams of their products and we recognize the difficulties and obstacles involved with game development.

-- Neal Stevens
        SUBSIM Review