Skip to main content

Silent Service

51%Game Brain Score
graphics
story, music
55% User Score Based on 44 reviews

Platforms

Apple IIApple IIPCPCAmstrad CpcAmstrad CpcZx SpectrumZx SpectrumAtari 8 BitAtari 8 BitWindowsWindowsAmigaAmigaAtari StAtari StLinuxLinuxMac OSMac OSCommodore C64Commodore C64Ms DosMs Dos
Buy Nowfrom $6.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$6.99

About

Exciting World War II Submarine Action in the South Pacific by Sid Meier. 0400 hours, Tuesday 1942... BATTLE STATIONS!! BATTLE STATIONS!! Enemy convoy identified on radar!! SILENT SERVICE, The Submarine Simulation, brings exciting action, great strategy, detailed graphics and an ultra-realistic simulation of a World War II U.S. submarine in the South Pacific. SILENT SERVICE's outstanding featur…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Silent Service screenshot
Silent Service screenshot

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews
graphics2 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • A nostalgic experience for fans of retro games, offering a glimpse into gaming history.
  • The game can be rewarding and fun if players take the time to learn the controls and mechanics.
  • Includes a detailed PDF manual that provides in-depth information about submarine operations and gameplay.
  • The controls are confusing and often unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating.
  • This version has aged poorly, with outdated graphics and gameplay mechanics that do not hold up to modern standards.
  • Frequent crashes and technical issues detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to enjoy.
  • story
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Silent Service" is set during World War II, focusing on submarine warfare in the Pacific Ocean, where players engage in convoy and patrol missions to destroy various enemy vessels. While the game emphasizes strategic gameplay and requires players to familiarize themselves with its mechanics, some users have reported difficulties in executing certain missions, particularly the patrol missions, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the narrative framework provides a historical context for the gameplay, but the execution may challenge players unfamiliar with the simulator's intricacies.

    • “Silent Service is a nautical simulator set in World War II where you have to shoot your way through different convoy and patrol missions in the Pacific Ocean, destroying all kinds of ships, cargo, destroyers, tanks, and more.”
    • “When you launch practice or the convoy missions, you'll start on the conning tower menu, where you can choose between the various battle stations.”
    • “I've played the convoy missions.”
    • “Sadly, I couldn't get the 'patrol missions' to work. I don't know how to launch an attack; I could only move the sub, and when I got to the red dot, the screen went green/blue, alternating, but there was no way to attack.”
    • “I advise reading the manual and learning the basics and terminologies before going into the convoy missions option so you don't get frustrated the first time you launch it.”
    • “Silent Service is a nautical simulator set in World War II where you have to shoot your way through different convoy and patrol missions in the Pacific Ocean, destroying all kinds of ships, cargo, destroyers, tanks, and others.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users expressing frustration over the absence of distinctive theme music and intro tracks, leading to a lackluster audio experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Where is the music, the distinctive ultra games sounds?!”
    • “- no theme music”
    • “No intro music, game style layout sucks.”
  • gameplay
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this vintage title is characterized by confusing controls and cryptic mechanics typical of its era, making it a challenging experience for modern players. While it may not hold up well by contemporary standards, those seeking a nostalgic experience may still find it enjoyable despite its outdated design. Overall, it remains a complete package for fans of classic gaming.

    • “It is hard to really want to review such old classics like SS based on their gameplay as they are from another era and anyone who buys the game should be well aware that this is a vintage gaming experience, which will mean functional graphics and a lot of keyboard commands and no mouse - aside from these, the game though is still fun and overall complete enough in itself to be worthwhile.”
    • “Unsurely, this has aged terribly with confusing controls and cryptic gameplay from the era of games where you spent longer reading the included manual than playing the game.”
    • “Tldr: no gameplay left from this relic of yesteryear.”
    • “It is hard to really want to review such old classics based on their gameplay as they are from another era and anyone who buys the game should be well aware that this is a vintage gaming experience, which will mean functional graphics and a lot of keyboard commands and no mouse.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report frequent freezing issues with the current version of the game, leading to frustration and a diminished gaming experience. While it functions properly on DOSBox, the instability in this version has deterred players from fully engaging with the game.

    • “I've only played the easier ones because I've been experiencing some freezes lately with this version, and I got really tired of playing.”
    • “Sometimes it freezes; it works on DOSBox.”
    • “I've only played the easier ones because I've been experiencing some freezes lately with this version, and I got really tired of playing.”
  • graphics
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are considered outdated and reflective of its vintage status, which may deter some players expecting modern standards. However, those familiar with classic gaming appreciate the functional visuals and keyboard-centric controls, finding the overall experience enjoyable despite the graphical limitations.

    • “Why can't the graphics be brought up to today's standards?”

Buy Silent Service

Games Like Silent Service

Crash Dive Image
90%150reviews

Crash Dive

2015Casual Strategy
PCPCiPhoneiPhoneWindowsWindows+4
Silent Service ImageSilent Service ImageSilent Service Image
33%6reviews

Silent Service

1985Arcade Simulation
Apple IIApple IIAmstrad CpcAmstrad CpcZx SpectrumZx Spectrum+6
Crash Dive 2 Image
92%355reviews

Crash Dive 2

2021Strategy
PCPCAndroidAndroidiPhoneiPhone+5
Silent Service 2 Image
66%50reviews

Silent Service 2

2014Simulation
PCPCWindowsWindowsAmigaAmiga+4
Atlantic Fleet Image
86%2.1kreviews

Atlantic Fleet

2016Strategy
PCPCiPhoneiPhoneWindowsWindows+5
Victory At Sea Image
74%414reviews

Victory At Sea

2014Real-time Strategy
PCPCiPhoneiPhoneWindowsWindows+5
UBOAT Image
85%20.8kreviews

UBOAT

2024Tactical Role Playing
PCPCWindowsWindowsCloudCloud+1
Naval Warfare ImageNaval Warfare ImageNaval Warfare Image
48%147reviews

Naval Warfare

2011Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
Cold Waters Image
88%3.3kreviews

Cold Waters

2017Real-time Strategy
Gog ComGog ComPCPCWindowsWindows+1
Silent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific ImageSilent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific ImageSilent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific Image
74%1.3kreviews

Silent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific

2009Strategy
PCPCWindowsWindows