Red Storm Rising

The Good
Dynamic campaign, wide variety of enemies to fight, huge terrain, multiple submarines to play (Permit, 688, 688 improved, and Seawolf), plenty of weapons (Harpoon, Sea Lance, Tomahawk Antiship, Tomahawk Cruise, Mk 48, Mk 48 ADCAP, Stinger mast), intricate torpedo control, tie-in with the novel...

The Bad
No 3D view, no true water-fall sonar display, no manual classification of sonar signals, no TMA analysis...

The Bottom Line
The classic Red Storm Rising has held up well over the years as still the submarine warfare sim to beat. While Jane's 688(i) Hunter/Killer is a better SUBMARINE sim with better sonar and TMA simulation, Red Storm Rising has dynamic campaign and a much wider set of enemies, as well as multiple submarines, more weapons, and more weapon control. RSR is a true classic looking for a remake.

The Good
The agony...

The Bad
Its box was small! :-P

The Bottom Line
This submarine simulation is one of Sid Meier’s less known endeavors. It is based on the best-selling novel Red Storm Rising, Tom Clancy’s depiction of a hypothetical World War III. We take the role of a NATO nuclear submarine commander and we operate against the Soviet Union.

Although in the technical field the game is utterly surpassed, there are a few things that deserve mentioning. First of all, the graphics somehow manage to grasp the anguishing and claustrophobic environment of undersea warfare. They definitely give us the feeling of being there and doing something important. All of the submarine’s data and functions are clearly and neatly presented. Also, when our weapons reach their target, either hitting it or getting destroyed by it, we are informed through graphical sequences. Finally, there are some convincing sounds for several aspects of the game.

After we set the time period and enter our commander’s name, we choose our submarine’s type. There are also four available levels of difficulty. They start from average and reach almost inhuman standards. Finally, we get to select between training courses and scenarios with battles against fleets containing submarines, ships and helicopters. Medals and promotions reward exceptional results.

The game can boast about its excellent playing highlight, the all-out war with the USSR. There, with a map of the northern seas in front of us, we start from our base in the Scottish port of Holy Loch for missions in the East Atlantic, the Norwegian, Greenland and Barents Sea. Our performance in these missions will determine the very outcome of the war. Every now and then, climate-boosting intermissions inform us on important political and military events. During the campaign we will have to inflict the highest possible damage to enemy task forces, convoys and land targets. Time is of the essence here, quick and decisive actions are of paramount importance. Swift reaching of the mission objectives, stealthy movement and quick trips to Holy Loch for repairs and rearmament are greatly significant to the war effort. One should first prepare adequately in the solitary missions, before entering the exciting and challenging environment of the campaign.

Like in the vast majority of Microprose’s titles, realism is a high priority. The player has to involve with many different and demanding activities. He has to learn how to silently trace the enemy and surprisingly engage him, how to use his ordnance wisely and effectively. Torpedo evasion is something that takes time in order to be done efficiently, and without neglecting the tactical situation of the battle. Finally, deep familiarization with all the ship’s sensors, menus and controls is crucial, because only through their intensive use we will achieve our goals. The fact that numerous keys are needed for playing can initially be a shock to the unaccustomed. The game was accompanied by a sizeable documentation that covers all necessary issues in great detail. A deep study of the manual is useful for a complete playing experience.

Recommended mostly to the determined friends of the genre, “Red Storm Rising” offers hours of highly satisfying involvement. The rest are kindly requested to keep their distance and watch “The Hunt for Red October” instead.

The Good
Strategy, depth, features, attention to detail, etc.,

The Bad
It won't run on newer (Pentium or above) CPU's without the updated replacement executable. But you can find that here: http://www.geocities.com/microprose_patch/

The Bottom Line
I own 688 Attack Sub as well as Red Storm Rising. 688 Attack Sub is a game. Red Storm Rising is a simulation.

There is nothing more nail-biting than hunting Soviet diesel-electric boats, which are running quietly on batteries, with an old Permit class SSN. All you can do is pray. Pray you hear them, before they hear you.

There's nothing more annoying than cautiously moving into position, to attack a surface fleet, only to have an ASW helicopter drop a sonobuoy on your head.

I purchased Red Storm Rising when it was first released for the Commodore 64. Later, I purchased the IBM-PC MS-DOS version. It is now 1993, some 14 years after it's initial release, and I still play (and enjoy) Red Storm Rising.