Silent Hunter III

Who's the U-boat commander? You are, in this ultrarealistic submarine simulation game, as you head out to sea in an assortment of playable U-boats. You'll target Allied convoys, destroyers, and battleships, using stealth to sneak away before things get too hot. Silent Hunter III features exceptional

89%Game Brain Score

graphics, story

stability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 1,472 reviews

Critic Score 100%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Silent Hunter III is a single player and multiplayer strategy game with warfare and historical themes. It was developed by Ubisoft and was released on June 13, 2008. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Silent Hunter III" is a submarine simulation game that immerses players in the Atlantic Theater of WWII. Command authentic German U-boats and undertake covert missions, managing resources and crew while evading enemy detection. Experience dynamic campaign and mission objectives, engaging in realistic naval warfare and tactical combat.

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,472 reviews

graphics51 positive mentions

stability20 negative mentions

Silent Hunter III is considered the best submarine simulator, offering a realistic and immersive experience of commanding a U-boat during WWII.
The game allows for a high degree of customization in gameplay, including adjustable realism settings and a variety of mods that enhance graphics and gameplay.
The tension of stalking enemy convoys and the satisfaction of successfully sinking ships create a rewarding gameplay experience.

The game is plagued by bugs and crashes, particularly on modern systems, which can lead to lost progress and frustration.
Graphics are dated and locked to a low resolution, which may detract from the experience for players accustomed to modern visuals.
The crew management system can be tedious, requiring constant attention to crew fatigue and assignments, which some players find cumbersome.

graphics
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
61%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2005 release, with many users noting that they are not up to modern standards. However, despite their age, the visuals are often described as decent for the time, and some players appreciate the nostalgic charm they bring to the gameplay experience. Additionally, various mods are available that can significantly enhance the graphics, making the game more visually appealing while maintaining its strong gameplay mechanics.
- “The movie-like graphics and tension-filled gameplay make it a thrilling experience for both realism enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.”
- “Despite being very old and graphically simple, this game is the apex of the Silent Hunter series.”
- “For the WWII enthusiast, this is a must-have; this is a real gem. Silent Hunter III is considered the best in the series because of its realism, and because it's modable, the graphics are surprisingly good for a game of this age.”
- “Graphics are terrible, can't see where you are going.”
- “The interface is not particularly intuitive, graphics are pretty garbage, the tutorial videos literally pop you to the desktop to play a video because they couldn't be bothered to integrate it into the game engine.”
- “Ubisoft has since pinned this as abandonware and unfortunately its final release was not at all suited to 1920x1080 screens and the latest graphics cards.”
story
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
81%
6%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of a cohesive narrative, with many players noting that the campaign feels repetitive and lacks engaging scripted missions. While some appreciate the historical context and the immersive experience of commanding a submarine during WWII, others find the missions to be monotonous and underdeveloped, leading to a sense of emptiness upon completion. Overall, the game offers a variety of missions and a dynamic campaign, but it does not provide a strong overarching story.
- “Feels less like a game and more like you’re trying to survive in your own little WWII story.”
- “The campaign missions are very vanilla, but your relationship to your crew, the U-boat and her systems, as well as the geography makes this game an exceptional and immersive campaign engine.”
- “I love this game more than its sequels; the freedom you have as a captain and the way nothing interferes with that freedom, like an intrusive storyline or cutscenes really make this my all-time favorite.”
- “Do keep in mind, there is no story.”
- “The only story the campaign follows is the progress of WWII, and that only being notable for changes in available equipment, available bases, defense of ships, etc. The amount of things you actually control in-game are incredible.”
- “The major glaring problem I see with this game is that the missions (in the story mode) are literally all the same.”
gameplay
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
Overall, the gameplay of the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting its depth, mechanics, and immersive experience, despite the dated graphics. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop, realistic simulation aspects, and the potential for modding to enhance the experience further. While some mention a steep learning curve and slower-paced gameplay, the consensus is that the gameplay remains enjoyable and rewarding, making it a standout feature of the title.
- “The gameplay loop is great; it does what it says on the box.”
- “The movie-like graphics and tension-filled gameplay make it a thrilling experience for both realism enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.”
- “The gameplay and objective are easy to pick up, and the skill curve to this game is not that steep, whether you are a submarine enthusiast or an U-boat captain, there is a place for everyone on this black submarine.”
- “The gameplay is not immersive; it's time-wasting. The same people that tell you about immersion will probably turn off fatigue and not run at 100% realism, then tell you about 'immersion.'”
- “Some of the original game mechanics are stupid, like every time I surface there's a plane there. I am 300 km from land in the middle of nowhere; how could they have so many planes that they cover the entire North Atlantic for 48 hours solid?”
- “Gameplay is mostly slow and waiting-oriented.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches, particularly in the Steam version, which is often deemed unplayable with mods. While some players find the game enjoyable and immersive, they caution that troubleshooting issues can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as having a rough launch experience, but modding can enhance stability and enjoyment for those willing to navigate the initial challenges.
- “Runs great on Ubuntu with Proton Experimental.”
- “Pros: realistic, immersive, endless game, open sea world, bug-free, lots of mods making it even better and harder.”
- “Game freezes on loading screen and shuts down.”
- “This game is so old and bad that I couldn't even get through the naval academy due to crashing and glitches.”
- “The steam version of it is garbage: incompatible with mods, frequent crashes with any mods installed, bugs and glitches, and no official tech support place the steam version of Silent Hunter 3 in the 'avoid at all costs' bin.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
22%
71%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in crew management and the process of hunting for targets. While some appreciate the authenticity it brings, many feel that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, with comments highlighting the need for significant time investment and the frustration of navigating tight scenarios. Overall, the grinding can feel like busy work, overshadowing the more engaging elements of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Once I got proficient at it, there is a lot of grinding to your area, sniffing around for a target, getting into a good firing position, generally working to make it happen.”
- “If you like a game where you spend more time doing the same old tedious tasks and less time actually engaging the enemy, then this is the game for you.”
- “I found looking for ships and plotting courses could become really tedious at times, and that would be my only knock on this game.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The atmosphere of this submarine simulator is widely praised for its eerie tension and immersive experience, effectively capturing the psychological strain faced by real-life crews. Despite its age, the game maintains a compelling ambiance that enhances gameplay, with players noting the impact of depth and danger on the overall mood. While some technical issues exist, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a favorite among fans of the genre.
- “Even though this is an old game, it still holds up today. You can make it as easy or difficult as you want, has a lot of atmosphere, and is still my favorite sub sim to date.”
- “A fantastic U-boat simulator that produces an eerie and extraordinarily tense atmosphere that really makes you wonder how submarine crews managed to keep sane back in the day.”
- “I love how the atmosphere, the mood, and the grittiness stick in this game.”
- “A fantastic u-boat simulator and a game that produces an eerie and extraordinarily tense atmosphere that really makes you wonder how submarine crews managed to keep sane back in the day.”
- “Well, you can upgrade your crew, weapons, and even your sub itself, then go on a mission. All of a sudden, you get spotted by a destroyer; then you dive deep below 70 meters, then 100, then 150 and more. Your sub starts to squeak and tighten, and the atmosphere gets heavy as the depth charges blow above, getting closer as the enemy pings you with radar.”
- “Sure, 2020 has better graphics and effects, but this game... the atmosphere like that cannot be bought.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating both the original soundtrack and the ability to add personal music, enhancing the immersive experience. While some find the music nice but not exceptional, others highlight its strong contribution to the game's atmosphere, especially when paired with iconic tracks from films like "Das Boot." Overall, the soundtrack effectively complements the gameplay, creating a captivating ambiance for players.
- “The original in-game music is really good too, but the Das Boot music gives so much more feel to it, especially if you have seen the movie.”
- “The music itself also holds itself up strongly, even in 2016.”
- “Nothing beats lurking the Atlantic, manually calculating torpedo firing solutions, dodging ASdic destroyers, and listening to period music on your gramophone.”
- “If you download SH3 Commander, you can enable a tailored career even to the level of datestamping music and reportage of the time.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
12%
25%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, offering a sandbox experience with customizable difficulty levels and a variety of vehicles. Players can enhance their experience through mods, which significantly extend replay value, while the abundance of missions and an infinitely replayable career mode further contribute to its longevity. However, some users noted that replayability may diminish if players do not increase the difficulty after exploring all ship types.
- “It is really good; it is truly a sandbox game with lots of replayability. If you get bored of the game, you can download the GWX mod, which is amazing.”
- “I highly recommend this game to everyone; it's great fun with lots of replayability.”
- “There are tons of missions, plus an 'infinitely replayable' career mode.”
- “Once you've explored all ship types, if you don't increase the difficulty, the replayability drops significantly.”
- “The mods occupy more memory space than the game, and the replayability is almost limitless, because the AI can defeat you.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often derived from minor glitches, such as characters behaving oddly, which can be amusing rather than game-breaking. Players find humor in the chaotic and unpredictable nature of gameplay, where moments of frustration can quickly turn into laughter. Overall, the game balances a mix of brutal and hilarious experiences, contributing to its charm.
- “I also encountered a glitch where the watch crew on the conning tower were standing upside down, which I found to be quite humorous.”
- “Funny thing is that most of the damage I've taken has been trying to go too deep in shallow waters when I was hesitant to use the sonar depth meter (I think it gives away my position).”
- “It can be brutal, terrifying, hilarious, stressful, all of those things at once.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to "Silent Hunter III," highlighting the game's ability to evoke a range of feelings from tension and sadness during challenging missions to a meditative state during long periods of gameplay. The dedication of modders is also acknowledged, as their contributions enhance the emotional experience, making the game feel timeless despite its age. Overall, the game elicits a profound emotional journey, marked by both frustration and introspection.
- “Even though Silent Hunter III is an old game now, it doesn't feel dated and is still a joy to partake in, getting emotionally nerve-wracking as you enter 1943 onward and experience the sad times of the U-boat.”
- “Silent Hunter III goes through the full emotional experience of extreme boredom and painstaking listening - it's an almost zen-like meditative state.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's optimization strikes a commendable balance between graphical performance and realistic simulation elements. However, it is constrained by the technology of its time, limiting the time compression system to a maximum of x1024 normal speed and restricting speeds to 8x or 16x when near enemies.
- “Great balance of graphical performance and realistic simulation components.”
- “The time compression system in the game can only run at x1024 normal speed due to the limits on the game's performance based on the technology at the time of its creation. It is also limited to running at 8x or 16x speed when close to or detected by enemies.”
- “The game's performance is severely limited by the technology available at the time of its development, resulting in the time compression system only being able to run at x1024 normal speed. Additionally, it can only operate at 8x or 16x speed when near enemies.”
- “The optimization issues are frustrating, as the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, especially during intense action sequences.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that hindered gameplay, making it clear that the optimization was not a priority during development.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model for the game is characterized by the absence of microtransactions, with players primarily relying on early access opportunities through demo CDs distributed by select PC magazines.
- “Microtransactions were never heard of, and one could only hope for an early access chance with a demo CD that some PC magazines distributed.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”

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100%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Silent Hunter III
Who's the U-boat commander? You are, in this ultrarealistic submarine simulation game, as you head out to sea in an assortment of playable U-boats. You'll target Allied convoys, destroyers, and battleships, using stealth to sneak away before things get too hot. Silent Hunter III features exceptional
Pcmag.com
100%

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24h Median play time

114h Average play time

8-270h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Silent Hunter III is a strategy game with warfare and historical themes.

Silent Hunter III is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 114 hours playing Silent Hunter III.

Silent Hunter III was released on June 13, 2008.

Silent Hunter III was developed by Ubisoft.

Silent Hunter III has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players and overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Silent Hunter III is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Silent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific, UBOAT, Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic, Cold Waters, Wolfpack and others.

Silent Hunter III

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