Thank you Ultimate Games S.A. for sending us a review code!

One of the cool perks of doing game reviews is that often you get to play games that you would’ve never tried before. Uboat is one of those games. I’ll admit, this isn’t my type of game, but I can appreciate a good game regardless of the genre.

At its heart, Uboat is a point and click submarine simulator. You play as the skipper, and it’s your job to direct your crew into what they should be doing. The game can be played from a 1st person point of view or a 3rd person point of view. You can choose just how involved you are in their lives and duties. Micro or macro, you choose. You have missions that you must complete that are centered around real events during WWII.

Like any good sim game, attention to detail is paramount. This is something that the game does very well. The cramped conditions in the sub make it feel claustrophobic, especially from the 1st person view. The sound design is excellent as well. From the creaking of the ship to the roaring engines, the sound is very well done.

Visually, the game looks good. Realistic water physics stand out as well as the sub itself. Every little detail gets special treatment. Character models are alright, nothing special. I can’t, however, state enough how much detail there is in the game. They do a really good job pulling you into the world of being a submariner.

The biggest issue with the game is that it’s obviously made for the PC. Point and click with a controller just isn’t the same as keyboard and mouse. There is also a big learning curve. Uboat is a very technical title. There is a lot of reading and a lot of trial and error. But I implore you to stick it out, it’s worth it in the end.

You have several different subs to choose from, all with their various pros and cons. Initially there are eight subs with more later. I highly recommend doing the training missions as they prepare you for what follows in actual combat. You must pay close attention to your crew's morale as well as how they are doing their job. As the skipper, all this falls in your hands. You can decide whether to do this manually or not, letting the game decide how everything plays out. In the beginning, you have five different crew members. Engineers excel at maintenance around the boat and your engines. The communication officer mans the hydro phone. The final two are for tactical areas such as the navigation station. You also have regular sailors, two per officer, to help you with various tasks.

You are given two objectives to complete a patrol. Just remember to prepare your torpedoes before firing. You can take up to eight hostages from defeated ships that can be traded in for various things you’ll need. The only downside to hostages is that they breathe, rapidly decreasing your oxygen levels in the boat. You can always resurface to replenish your air supply. Overall, there is a steep learning curve but once you get the hang of it it’s fun. I don’t know what it’s like to be a Uboat captain, but I’d imagine it’s something like what’s depicted in the game.

As I have stated, this is a sim game. If you’re not into that type of game, you might want to steer clear of this one. Set in World War 2, you visit actual places and events. It’s just as much a historical game as it is a sim.

I must admit that I had a good time with this game. At first glance, I didn’t like it, especially with the game breaking bugs that were an issue before the patches. At first I wasn’t feeling it. It can be boring at times and there is a lot of reading, not to mention the learning curve, but it’s worth it. If you’re looking for something new to sink your teeth into, I recommend this game. It’s unique, challenging and fun once you know what you’re doing.