A review on Silent Hunter III

[Loke]

Very good review, read it.

http://www.subsim.com/ssr/sh3_rc1/sh3_review1.htm

The US got it today, we Europeans got to wait till Friday this week. :E

Make sure to view this awesome clip showing off some combat, looks stunning.

Quicktime: http://www.gametrailers.com/download.php?id=3546&type=mov&f=

Media Player: http://www.gametrailers.com/download.php?id=3546&type=wmv&f=

More screens here

 

[jimbo118]

woah that review is long,could you give me the gist of it?

 

[Shakermaker]

woah that review is long,could you give me the gist of it?

The last sentence off the review says it all, basically:
"Silent Hunter III is the King of Subsims!"
So go get 'em tiger, if your a subsim-enthousiast.

I haven't played a subsim since the early 80's. Back then you had those great sub-games in the arcade-hall where you could actually look through the periscope and fire torpedoes. Anyone remember those?

 

[Loke]

woah that review is long,could you give me the gist of it?

Read it you lazy pig.

jk

Here are some quotes I thought was good.

As soon as the game starts every old Ace of the Deep vet will notice one huge enhancement right away: Silent Hunter III has a 3D control room you can move about in, a bridge you can man, and a fully interactive 3D crew. The 3D crew is great—no more "ghost subs", no more 2D pictures of a control room that require imagination to create the experience you are aboard a sub. This is better on a bicycle-to-space shuttle improvement scale. I have a feeling many of the Subsim Radio Room forum guys will disappear, choosing to form bonds of friendship with their crew and officers.

The animated crew members replicate logical poses and motions, they effectively articulate when they speak, they even scratch their chins, wipe the lens on their binoculars, and blink. The bridge watch changes into rough weather gear during storms. It’s been a long time coming and the 3D crew makes the sale on this game.

Silent Hunter III is loaded with very respectable AI. I did not see any ships ram each other or the shore. Ships zigzag and try to evade when under attack. Escorts appear to execute sensible search patterns. I ran the AI through several tests. First, I made my presence known by surfacing in the middle of a convoy (kids, don’t try this at home) end emptying a clip of AA in a neighborly fashion into a petrol tanker. Immediately, starshells went up, the lighting revealed my presence. Merchants peeled off and a flower-class destroyer came charging down the columns intent on greeting me. I pulled the plug and by using the External view I could see where the DD went, where he dropped his charges, and how close he came. The first time he was darned close. Glass was breaking, sausages were swinging like crazy, that pesky valve that always leaks was spraying Klaus down the back with cold seawater, and little red exclamation points began to sprout up on my crew roster. Obviously, they were somewhat short of inspired by my actions and their morale was dropping (translation: they were freaking!).

I can probably skip describing the graphics, the screenshots tell it all. Let me summarize with "out-standing in every regard". The ocean is just incredible, the way it moves, the colors, the sharp edges and whitecaps on the waves. The subs and ships look like a 3D Studio Max wet dream. Starshells at night cast an uncertain, shuttering glow down on your sub, very nice. Smoke and explosions are cinematic. Lord, this game puts everything else to shame. Where did the Romanians hide before SH3?

All of the game sounds are outstanding. The diesels and electric motors change pitch with speed. I was impressed with the way the diesels drop off and after a suitable pause, the hum of the motors very naturally fills the room. A command to dive is accompanied by a few thumps and bangs of the hatches being shut. A crash dive includes the alarm bell and the roar of the electric motors at flank speed. At the hydrophone station you can you can identify the class of ship from the pitch of its screws.

 

[Shakermaker]

The ocean is just incredible, the way it moves, the colors, the sharp edges and whitecaps on the waves. The subs and ships look like a 3D Studio Max wet dream.

I've silently hunted around the internets and downloaded a couple of trailers. This one's pretty sweet. It shows a sub in a storm. Great graphics. What are the specs for this game?

 

[jimbo118]

damn even the qoutes are long,meh i'll read it in the morning,im jacked,goodnite to you all,did you just call me tiger ?:rolling:

 

[Loke]

What are the specs for this game?

What is the current status in regards to system specs?

Supported OS: Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP (only)
Processor: Pentium® III 1.4 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 1.4 GHz (Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or AMD Athlon 2.0Ghz recommended)
RAM: 256 MB (512 MB recommended)
Video Card: 64 MB (128 MB recommended) DirectX® 9 compatible graphics card (see supported list*)
Sound Card: DirectX 9 compatible PCI card

*Currently Supported Video Cards NVIDIA® Geforce™ 3/4/FX series with the exception of MX series cards ATI® Radeon 8500/9000 family cards or newer

Taken from their official site: http://www.silent-hunteriii.com/uk/devteamquestions1.php

damn even the qoutes are long

Damn, you are even lazier than me.

 

[oldagerocker]

Today i didnt have a great day... i can now say Loke you have truely made my day... I was a great fan of Aces of the Deep and SH1 and thsi game appears to be a better make of the two... it's cheered me up no end. Im hoping my copy arrives on friday, i'll be playing it all friday night then

 

[NikolaX]

did you mean DasBot ?
he he , it was great arcade sub game!

 

[jimbo118]

Damn, you are even lazier than me.

i was tired as i said :dozey:

i'll read it now

 

[VirusType2]

The last sentence off the review says it all, basically:
"Silent Hunter III is the King of Subsims!"
So go get 'em tiger, if your a subsim-enthousiast.

I haven't played a subsim since the early 80's. Back then you had those great sub-games in the arcade-hall where you could actually look through the periscope and fire torpedoes. Anyone remember those?

My brother has an arcade in his basement. mostly 80's arcade machines.

He has a game called Sea Wolf that has a periscope. perdy kuwl

 

[oldagerocker]

My preorder on play.com got posted today, so i should get the game before release

 

[Shakermaker]

My brother has an arcade in his basement. mostly 80's arcade machines.

He has a game called Sea Wolf that has a periscope. perdy kuwl

Found it! That's a pretty cool site btw. I found my fav arcade machine, the the first Star Wars game. And I don't mean the stand-up version but the cockpit. That was awesome; great graphics for that time.

 

[Loke]

So, anyone got it?

I got it today, really great game. Best looking water I've seen, the storms are amazing.

I was playing right now and an amazing thing happened.
I spotted a ship (cargo ship, around 19 000 tonnage), then launched a torpedo at it, and right when it hits it the whole f**king ship cracks in the middle and I was like *WHOA*..

 

[NikolaX]

So, anyone got it?

I got it today, really great game. Best looking water I've seen, the storms are amazing.

I was playing right now and an amazing thing happened.
I spotted a ship (cargo ship, around 19 000 tonnage), then launched a torpedo at it, and right when it hits it the whole f**king ship cracks in the middle and I was like *WHOA*..

shittt.. must buy now, i looked at GAMES but they didnt have it
what score will you give 1-10.
and misson generator ? is it good ?
more info please !! :bounce: :bounce:

 

[oldagerocker]

Wow, well, i didnt think mine would be delivered til tomorrow... so i cant play it til monday, as im not at home til then to get it from the post office.

 

[Loke]

what score will you give 1-10.
and misson generator ? is it good ?
more info please !! :bounce: :bounce:

I would give it 9 out of 10.

The mission generator seems interesting, I haven’t really used it so much though.

Wow, well, i didnt think mine would be delivered til tomorrow... so i cant play it til monday, as im not at home til then to get it from the post office.

That sucks.

 

[oldagerocker]

Just spoke to my mum, the postman left it in the porch. pwnage I'll be playing tomorrow. yayayay

 

[jimbo118]

any demo for this game?

 

[Locust]

IGN gave this game an 88%, which seals the deal for me.

 

[RMachucaA]

I got it, and having a blast .

 

[jimbo118]

any demo for this game?

bumpy.....

 

[NikolaX]

no demo, only tutorial vids..

 

[oldagerocker]

i'm having some problems but nobody else seems to... I've been doing the training parts and my crew members wont automaticly shoot down planes and ships with the guns, so i cant pass them areas unless i shoot myself. I've done exactly the same things as the video though.

Went on my first patrol today to an area off the coast of Hertlepool and i found me some ships, but they didnt see me and just ran off. i couldnt keep up I got some find some nice slow merchants to destroy :naughty: die Brits die

 

[dart321]

I got it today and I'm gaving a blast. This game is awsome. Damn Ubisoft and the marketing department! (They barely marketed this game as oppsoed to Brothers In Arms, which I've been hearing is not that great.)

 

[Loke]

Damn those Destroyers, they are too fast for my torpedoes to hit them.

I could engage them at very close range though, but that's dangerous with those depth charges all over the place.

 

[dart321]

Has anyone tryed 100% relistic yet? Oh sweet jesus its... sweet. I mean you need to be a hardcore sim fan and know what you're doing but my gawd, its so...realistic. :bounce:

 

[RMachucaA]

im into my second patrol, already sank 5 merchant ships and a destroyer... which suckered me into wasting 5 fishes on him ti'll the 6th on was a hit... now im just beginning my patrol and left with very few torpedoes .... awesome sim though.... i had to lie motionless for about an hour while a destroyer hovered above trying to find me :/.... immersion factor trough the roof .

btw, if u cant catch up merchant ships, its probably cause your submerged... remember that if you surface theres less friction so u go faster.

 

[jimbo118]

dam i need a demo

 

[Loke]

btw, if u cant catch up merchant ships, its probably cause your submerged... remember that if you surface theres less friction so u go faster.

Yep, although the latest version of the Germans u-boat did actually go faster when under the water than on the surface.

 

[StardogChampion]

dam i need a demo

Same... lets just wait.

 

[dart321]

Yep, although the latest version of the Germans u-boat did actually go faster when under the water than on the surface.

What model are you talking about?

 

[dart321]

Same... lets just wait.

There will be no demo, because they've implemented StarForce in SH3. SF is afraid looking at both codes (if the demo resembles the original game very much) will give away their protection algorithm...

Sorry man, you're just going to have to either hold you're breath and buy the game (then be happy for the rest of you're life) or pass on it (and feel empty and lacking untill you die). It's you're chioce.

Edit: and Star Force is an anti-piracy program thing if you're wondering.

 

[oldagerocker]

Curse you dud torpedoes... curse you all !!!! :flame:

 

[dart321]

Curse you dud torpedoes... curse you all !!!! :flame:

Switch to magnetic detonation.

 

[jimbo118]

Sorry man, you're just going to have to either hold you're breath and buy the game (then be happy for the rest of you're life) or pass on it (and feel empty and lacking untill you die). It's you're chioce.

Edit: and Star Force is an anti-piracy program thing if you're wondering.

arse...i guess i'll haveto pass ;(

 

[Loke]

What model are you talking about?

The last (I think it was one of the last models) model the Germans made in 1945.

EDIT: Ahh, it's called XXI, here you can see: http://www.answers.com/topic/type-xxi-u-boat

 

[Shakermaker]

There will be no demo, because they've implemented StarForce in SH3. SF is afraid looking at both codes (if the demo resembles the original game very much) will give away their protection algorithm...

Sorry man, you're just going to have to either hold you're breath and buy the game (then be happy for the rest of you're life) or pass on it (and feel empty and lacking untill you die). It's you're chioce.

Edit: and Star Force is an anti-piracy program thing if you're wondering.

I know of at least one game that's Starforce-protected with a demo: Soldiers Heroes of World War II. I'm not into the warez-scene so I don't know if that game has been pirated ....

 

[oldagerocker]

Switch to magnetic detonation.

aw cheers, after first few patrols, hitting nothing... i now have a medal and killed about 5 ships, including a great get away from 4 warships go me

 

[Loke]

Okay, I took some screens for you guys to see, hope you like ém.

The orchestra playing the German national anthem.

This is the crew manager, here you can promote your crew members to be machinist, medics, torpedo men etc.
You can also give medals to the crew members.

The map, here you set waypoints where you want the u-boat to go, you can steer the u-boat yourself too.

The command bridge.

Food for the men.

He looks angry at me, doesn't he? ;(

- Kontakt Herr Kaulen!
- Danke Dieter...

Dieter seems to be right, it's a merchant!

Here we go...

Hey, what happened to the boat?

Ahh, there it is!

Torpedo in the water! Approx. 3 minutes to impact!

Oh, Tally-ho!

- Torpedo treffe, Herr Kaulen!

Just another day for U-99!