Dangerous Waters review

Sonalyst's previous naval simulation gave the player control over Seawolf, 688, and Akula class submarines. Despite being a survey sim, that is a simulation of more than one class of hardware, it was noted for its breadth and depth - offering details that few sub sims have matched.

The company's latest game goes much further, offering desktop Admirals complete control over forces beyond mere submarines. Now the available arsenal includes surface vessels such as destroyers and anti-submarine warfare aircraft such as the P3 Orion and MH60 helicopter.

Yet the simulation hasn't lost focus, there's even more for sub drivers this time around. The sub roster has been increased with the inclusion of the Kilo class diesel-electric submarine. These deadly vessels cannot boast the stamina of the nuclear boats, but there are among the quietest vessels afloat and can therefore detect targets, even nuclear subs, at a greater distance.

Manual moments

One of the most pleasing aspects of Dangerous Waters is the 600 page manual that accompanies it. The lavish manual is all but lost from the simulation genre these days, it's just not the same having to use a PDF manual and wonder how on earth you're going to print the thing out at work without the stationery Nazis finding out.

The sim offers a good range of tutorials too, but I do have to say you have to be rather acquainted with the subject matter to get anything out of the game. But let's face it, you're hardly going to tackle a simulation of naval warfare without some prior knowledge.

This is a sim for people who already know what a sonarbuoy is, what TMA is or when and how radar should be used. Yet even if your knowledge stretches just as far as reading a Larry Bond or Tom Clancy novel, you should get something out of the sim.

So Many Platforms

It's amazing that a sim like this can remain so focussed even when it attempts to simulate such disparate platforms as an anti-submarine helicopter and a diesel-electric sub. However don't expect complex flight models for the aircraft, yes you can take control with a joystick, but the real point is the strategy of sensor and weapon deployment and keeping the aircraft on auto pilot.

Each station in an aircraft, submarine or surface vessel is uniquely detailed. And there's so much to do at each station that it each one feels like it could have a simulation devoted to it.

This can be a daunting experience. You can set each station for automatic crewing and this is clearly the best option when beginning to play the game. After all, no real Admiral has to watch a sonar waterfall station, a radar screen and steer the boat. But if you want to do everything yourself, you can do.

At War

The central part of Dangerous Waters is the campaign. A revolution in Russia leads to a growth in tensions that involves the US, Russian and Chinese forces. The conflict doesn't begin all guns blazing, but instead there's a period of cold-war like tension that's dramatic and very pleasing.

Some of the early stealthy reconnaissance missions where your aim is to observe rather than destroy are some of the most fun in the game. There's real excitement and tension to be had in trying to stay silent in a sub yet carry out your vital mission.

The actual campaign itself is rather linear, but that's not to say it's boring. Being able to play out the events, not knowing exactly what will happen, from three differing sides really does add a lot of replayability.

Outside of the campaign there is also a selection of single missions, many of which are good for training, a complex and deep multiplayer mode and a very thorough mission editor.

Periscope Depth

Expecting detailed graphics on a par with Silent Hunter III will lead to disappointment with Dangerous Waters. But that's not to say it's an ugly game. There are many detailed models in the sim and some rather pleasing water effects. However it's in the details it doesn’t match up such as the ship's bow wave or in the rather ugly textures.

Yet this isn't a game where the 3D is what it's about. Most of the time you'll be looking at one of the many ship/sub/aircraft stations, carrying out observation and looking for a firing solution. With this in mind, it is worth saying that a little more work could have gone into the presentation of these screens, they don't quite cut the mustard compared to cockpit graphics you see created for the latest Falcon 4.0 builds.

And for a game that is essentially about sound, detecting and avoiding sound - the sound in the game isn't that great. But you shouldn't get bogged down in presentation issues, because really they make no difference to the way this simulation plays out.

Firing Solution

I've really been enjoying Dangerous Waters, yet I still feel I've only scratched the surface of the simulation. At one time in my life I came close to joining the Royal Navy and would have actively pursued a career in the Submarine Service, so you can see how this simulation would appeal to me.

If you have Sonalyst's previous sub-sim you may wonder if it's worth plumbing for this one. I have to say an unreserved yes. It's worth the admission price for the Kilo class subs, which are perhaps the most fun aspect of the game.

However with a full range of attack subs, surface vessels and the introduction of aircraft it's amazing that a simulation can remain so detailed and focussed. Playing the cat and mouse naval game has never been so much fun. While perhaps not as exciting as the hands-on knife-range sub combat of WW2 sims, it's never-the-less a great modern naval sim.

Now if only a developer would expend the same time to tackle the naval warfare of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.