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With flight sims and other more serious games becoming ever more marginalised on the PC, it’s both a surprise and relief to find that the Silent Hunter series is still afloat. It certainly deserves its continued success though with not only the most exacting simulation of a submarine ever but by association also one of the most unique strategy action games ever devised. This latest iteration finds you commanding an Amercian sub in the Pacific theatre of World War II. The previous game, set in the Atlantic theatre, was already highly acclaimed but this sequel will feature a new dynamic campaign system which not only includes more diverse mission but also generates them on the fly as other ships and subs around you fight their own battles.
Although the game simulates every element of submarine warfare from the era in exacting detail, you are able to adjust the complexity of the gameplay to exactly how you want it. If you want to plot torpedo angles and time charges yourself then you can, but equally you can just up periscopes and fire away at whatever you see. Crew management will also be simplified from the last game, so that everyone works much more independently, especially as they begin to gain experience and receive promotions. Also expanded is the multiplayer element which now allows you to team up to fight co-operative with friends online. You can also fight it out in teams, with one side playing the role of escort ships and the other the subs. As ever the graphics are looking fantastic – far better than you’d expect for such a complex simulation – and provide the icing on the cake for one of the last great high brow franchises on the PC.
HARRISON DENT
Manufacturer's Description:
Silent Hunter is back! Developed by Ubisoft’s studio in Romania, Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific takes players to the depths of the Pacific Ocean as the skipper of an American submarine. Immersed in this intense environment with the help of amazing graphics and sound, players will engage in massive battles with enemy units, manage and evolve an entire submarine crew, and earn promotions and commendations to ensure victory in the Pacific.
Silent Hunter, the industry-leading naval warfare simulation franchise for over a decade, returns to its roots with next-generation graphical realism, immersive gameplay, innovative crew evolution and more action than ever before. Developed by the same Ubisoft team that delivered Silent Hunter 3, the "king of sub games", to worldwide critical acclaim, this installment offers the most memorable, accessible and empowering submarine simulation experience ever.
Features:
Hollywood Blockbuster experience: Lifelike graphics and spectacular audio/visual effects offer an incredibly immersive gaming experience. Witness the historical accuracy and the amazing attention to detail from the breathtaking Pacific settings to the more than 75 authentic-looking war machines such as the U.S. Gato sub, the Japanese Yamato flagship, and the Kawanishi aircraft.
Immersive single player gameplay: Diverse mission objectives and events on over 15 maps combined with unique rewards make each campaign a unique experience. Commandeer various U.S. submarines and progress your career as a naval officer via improved dynamic campaigns in Career Mode, or dive into ‘instant actions’ and single patrols for a quick fight.
Large Scale Naval Engagements: Epic naval engagements can be witnessed by players either firsthand or via radio messages and orders from high command.
Innovative crew evolution: Earn upgrades and experience to guide the evolution path of crewmembers, making your men the most effective naval force in the Pacific theatre.
Addictive Online New Adversarial Mode: Join forces with up to 8 friends via LAN or 4 via internet in either cooperative or adversarial gameplay modes. Scripted and generated mission types allow for epic online battles and unlimited replayability.
Easy to control: An upgraded and streamlined interface makes moving around the submarine and controlling it much easier than ever before.
Scalable learning experience: Selectable difficulty levels allow you to choose how challenging of a simulation to play.
