Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Simulation, World War II, submarines, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN

44%

Steam

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The fifth installment in one of the most popular WWII submarine simulation game series. In Silent Hunter 5 you are sent to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, where, as the commander of a German U-boat VII, you hunt down the ships of the Allies. There is a dynamic campaign to complete, and your actions, victories and losses affect its outcome. It's worth noting that the campaign also includes historical naval battles.

Silent Hunter 5 is another installment in one of the most popular submarine simulators set in World War II. In the fifth part of the cycle the developers send us into waters of The Atlantic Ocean and The Mediterranean Sea. There, as a commander of a German Type VII U-boot, you hunt Allied vessels. The campaign is dynamic, which means that all your actions, successes and failures have direct impact on how it unfolds. It is also noteworthy that throughout the campaign you take part in historical naval battles.

One of the biggest innovations introduced in this part of the series is fully interactive interiors of submarines. Here, the control system reminds of FPS games. WSAD keys are used to move around, while the mouse lets you look around and click on interactive elements. This set is used for most activities. In order to use different devices, first you need to approach them, whereas torpedoes are launched only while looking through the periscope. You also have to use your feet to get to tower. Because of this, you cannot do everything by yourself. Also, there is often something big happening away from you. This, combined with much slimmer keyboard shortcuts, more than ever necessitates relaying on your subordinates. FPP mode is also present in harbors, where you can have a conversation with non-player characters to fill gaps in arsenal, refuel your submarine, or take new missions.

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Another novelty is crew morale. Each command makes it drop a little, so in order to keep the vessel fully functional, you have to raise morale e.g. through successful torpedo attacks or fulfilling mission objectives. Besides, the game features crew progression system. After each mission you get a certain number of experience points and abilities, which you can distribute among your crew members. This, in effect, influences speed of following orders, better work of the Diesel engine, accuracy of torpedoes, etc. Moreover, each member of the crew is a unique personality with his own name, biography, abilities, and character. Thus, a rookie may be teased by older mates, and someone may cut stings in the cook’s violin. You can have a chat with each character. This way you not only give out orders, but also learn interesting information about your interlocutors. If you show them you care about their needs, their morale will increase. Along with game progress your men gain new abilities and improve the ones already possessed.

There was also submarine experience system implemented, which allows for the vessel’s improvement over time.

The creators improved the graphics, designed a new UI, and implemented numerous options when it comes to difficulty level. Owing to that fact, it is very simple to adjust the game to skills of players who just take their first steps in the world of Silent Hunter. On the other hand, veterans of the series may choose expert level, which puts them up against much harder challenges.

Last updated on August 14, 2015

Originals

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Videos and Screens

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[2:05] Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic launch movie

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[2:22] Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic Crew management

44%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mixed (2,386)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Graphics: Many users praised the improved graphics and visual details, noting the aesthetic appeal of the game.
Atmosphere: The game captures the feeling of being a U-boat captain, with immersive gameplay that allows players to experience submarine operations.
Gameplay Mechanics: Some players appreciated the ability to walk around the submarine and interact with crew members, enhancing the immersion.

The main cons of the game

Technical Issues: Numerous users reported significant bugs, crashes, and problems connecting to Ubisoft servers. Many found that the game often does not run properly without external fixes or mods.
Dependence on Mods: Players frequently mentioned that the game requires various mods to fix issues, which detracts from the overall experience. The need for community-created modifications rather than official patches is a recurring theme.
Gameplay Mechanics: Some players found the gameplay to be less intuitive and more tedious compared to previous entries in the series, particularly criticizing the user interface and command systems.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Crew Management: Players noted the absence of the detailed crew management system present in earlier games, such as Silent Hunter 3, which allowed for more strategic gameplay.
Customization Options: Users expressed disappointment over the lack of options to upgrade submarines or purchase new types, limiting the gameplay variety.
Realism Options: Many felt that the game lacks a robust realism setting, which was a hallmark of earlier titles in the series, making it feel less strategic and engaging.
Tutorials and Guidance: There were complaints about the lack of clear tutorials for gameplay mechanics, particularly for torpedo settings and other essential functions.

Summary

In summary, while Silent Hunter 5 offers impressive graphics and an immersive atmosphere, it suffers from significant technical issues, reliance on mods for functionality, and missing gameplay elements that fans of the series have come to expect.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024

6.2

GAMERS Score

Average score from 647 votes. 300 players anticipated the game.

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GAMES

in Silent Hunter Game Series

Game Series

Silent Hunter Series

A series of simulation games set in the realities of World War II, allowing players to take on the roles of submarine commanders. The brand is owned by Ubisoft, and its development is overseen by in-house studios Ubisoft Romania and Ubisoft Blue Byte, among others.

6 video games

Silent Hunter Game Series