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Silent Hunter 4 - Wolves of the Pacific

The PC game market lends itself to niche genres and eclectic simulations. PC gamers are a focused, often obsessive-compulsive bunch, ready to dive head-first into games that leave casual gamers in tears. The raw processing power of the PC relative to other gaming devices keeps computer gamers awash in cutting-edge simulations and the genre of military combat lends itself to an almost countless number of sub-genres. One such example is the submarine simulation - or subsim, as the genre has been christened by aficionados. For the better part of a decade, the Silent Hunter series has been the marquee brand in this class. Can Silent Hunter 4, published by Ubisoft and developed by Ubisoft Romania, continue the series' reign as the top submarine simulation?

Set in the Pacific during the latter part of World War II (that's 1939 - 1945 for those of us who slept through history class), Silent Hunter 4 (SH4) continues the series tradition of providing a historically accurate simulation of commanding a combat submarine. In a departure from the series' previous two titles, which saw the player commanding a German U-Boat, SH4 places the player in charge of an American submarine. Ubisoft, in an effort to attract a larger audience, promises an experience which mirrors a Hollywood blockbuster. To this end, various gameplay settings may be toned down to offer a more casual game for players who are less concerned with realism and who don't mind the occasional anachronism. However, history buffs and hardcore submarine simulation fans will likely keep the realism settings dialled up for an authentic experience.

Getting Your Sea Legs

The U.S. release of the game comes with some notable extras: a map of the Pacific Theater during WWII, a poster-sized legend to aid in identifying Japanese ships, a fold-out keymap and command listing, and a brief but interesting submarine documentary on DVD. A 100-page manual is included, but with one-quarter of those pages used to duplicate information found on the ship identification poster, there is little room left for substance. The manual does do a decent job of outlining the game modes and basic gameplay mechanics, but a simulation of this depth begs for a more detailed manual. Despite the rather feeble manual, the in-game interface offers context-sensitive help.

European customers (and others willing to order online from a European retailer) are treated to a few different packaging options. First, there's the standard version, with the same items found in the U.S. box and there's also a Collector's Edition in larger packaging, which contains the game's music on an audio CD, a ship recognition manual and an iron-on patch. For dedicated fans, a limited-run Deluxe Edition is also available. Those lucky enough to pick up one of the 3,000 Deluxe Edition sets receive all the items in the Collector's Edition, plus an expanded recognition manual, DVD documentary, medal, mouse pad, postcard and certificate - all in a riveted metal box.

There are four main game modes: Submarine School, Career, Quick Mission and Single Patrols. Online play comes in the form of LAN play or Internet-based play facilitated through Ubisoft's Matchmaking service. Additionally, there is a Museum for viewing the ships, submarines and aircraft which appear in the game. Light on specifics, the Museum is more of a gallery than an informational tool, although it is helpful as a point of reference for identifying enemy ships. The game modes are covered by the manual in a cursory manner, with only the bare minimum provided to get started.

If you were looking for some historical background or an explanation of terms, you won't find it here. The in-game help is little more than a regurgitation of the manual. Brevity in instruction may be a good thing with a platformer or first-person shooter, but by omitting more detailed instruction Ubisoft risks losing those who are unfamiliar with submarines or naval combat in general. There is enough information to get started and, after spending some in-game time with the interface and the "Playing the Game" section of the manual, things start to come together. There is more to learning a new system than a rote explanation of functionality though, and a complete, guided tutorial would have been a welcome addition.

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