# Tell me about submarine sims **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 21, 2008, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197 "2008-04-21T06:57:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omi\_no\_Kami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Omi\_no\_Kami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omi_no_Kami)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/1 "2008-04-21T06:57:17Z")
And more importantly, sub strategy: I picked up [_Dangerous Waters_](http://www.mobygames.com/game/dangerous-waters) this afternoon and I’m planning on installing it tomorrow, the plan being to pick up \*Silent Hunter III \*or _Silent Hunter IV_ for the classic experience if I end up liking the genre. However, the reviews for Dangerous Waters all seemed to say “Decent game, but the learning curve is like smashing your head against a brick wall”. Having said that, is there anything I can do (or read) ahead of time, or should I just plan on learning tactics on the fly and resign myself for a long stretch of terrible performances until I pick up on things? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/2 "2008-04-21T13:33:20Z")
If the games have tutorials, I suggest you play them instead of skipping to the good part. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/3 "2008-04-21T16:21:52Z")
Go over to [http://www.subsim.com](http://www.subsim.com) and check out their forums. I picked up **Dangerous Waters** as part of a “Complete Naval Pack”, which also includes 688(I) Hunter-Killer, Sub Command, and Fleet Command. I haven’t gotten to DW yet, as I thought I’d go through the games in order of release; I’m still driving a Los Angeles class sub. Comparing it with **Silent Hunter** III & IV, which I’ve also played, it seems to me that scoring a hit with a modern sub that has all the computerized goodies is, I think, _easier_ than a WWII boat with manual targetting. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/4 "2008-04-21T17:52:50Z")
There’s a tutorial or three for DW available on the Subsim board. You will have to carefully analyze each sonar contact you see in great detail to deduce what it is, where it is, and how fast it is going. If that kind of micromanagement intimidates you to any significant extent I’d go for either of the Silent Hunter titles instead. The [WIKI](http://www.commanders-academy.com/wiki/index.php?title=Tactical_FAQ_-_Submarines) for DW may be of help. It is probably on my mid-term list of things to get, but I’m enjoying the two SH titles too much to switch (yet). ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/5 "2008-04-21T18:15:03Z")
If it’s anything like 688(I), DW should have assistants that will automatically track and classify contacts for you. You can turn them off, but even if you do so, the aforementioned computerized goodies will help enough that you won’t even have to crack a periscope. I personally play with the assistants on. What good is it being a captain if you have to do everything yourself? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-submarine-sims/446197/6 "2008-04-21T18:26:44Z")
Just out of curiousity, does DW allow one to hunt the old nuke cruisers? Please? Pretty please?