Silent Service II

Silent Service II is a direct sequel to the successful submarine simulator that uses the improved graphics and sound of the late 1980s to make the action in the depths of the Pacific feel more believable than in the first game. The player again commands an American Gato- or Balao-class submarine against Japanese convoys and warships, but now has access to a more detailed 3D rendering of the deck, bridge and periscope, as well as a more elaborate damage model and submarine handling. There is also now the option to view your own submarine from an external perspective, which helps better judge its position relative to the surface and the enemy.

Mechanically, the game expands the original concept with a choice between historical missions and a freer campaign, while retaining the emphasis on tactical attack planning - calculating angle on the bow, target speed and distance remains key to the effective use of torpedoes. It also adds improved artificial intelligence for escort vessels, making it harder to escape after a successful attack, so the player has to think through not just the hit itself but also the escape route and behavior during a depth-charge counterattack. The sound effects of engines, sonar and explosions round out the tense, anticipatory atmosphere typical of the whole genre, and together with a more elaborate weather model they also affect how well a convoy can be seen through the periscope.

Compared to its predecessor, Silent Service II feels like a more mature and accessible title that retained its respect for authenticity while easing navigation thanks to better overview screens and a clearer interface. In its contemporary context it held up as a worthy sequel to one of the genre's foundational simulators and broadened the circle of players willing to take on more elaborate underwater tactics. To this day, it is valued by collectors of DOS war games as a more balanced and visually friendlier variant of the same game philosophy already offered by the first title, just with a higher degree of comfort and a better feel to the controls.

Why play it: For those who want the same authenticity as the first game but with a clearer interface and more comfortable controls — a more balanced and visually friendlier variant of the same underwater tactics.