688(I) Hunter/Killer

688(I) Hunter/Killer
N/A
Metacritic
77
Steam
61.549
xDR
Our rating is calculated based on the reviews and popularity of the game.
Price
$9.99
Release date
26 October 2006
Developers
Publishers
Steam reviews score
Total
77 (172 votes)

688(I) Hunter/Killer, the most realistic submarine simulation ever developed for PC. Master the sonar and weapons control systems, learn to develop real target situations and outfit your boat with the latest advanced weaponry. Then use your skills to complete the tour of duty and earn your dolphins to become a true submariner.

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688(I) Hunter/Killer system requirements

Recommended: Windows 2000/XP, Pentium III, 256MB RAM, 1.5G Hard drive space, 32MB video card (Nvidia Geforce or ATI Radeon) DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card

Recommended:

Recommended requirements are not yet specified.
Updated
App type
Steam APP ID
2900
Platforms
Windows PC
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angemala
angemala

... I think I sunk my battleship.

I have no idea what I'm doing here. I'm sure it's a great retro game for those that want a sub sim. I just have no idea what I'm doing :)

Art Vandelay
Art Vandelay

This is a great submarine simulation game. I felt right in the middle of the action, and there are definitely some tense moments, i.e. evading enemy torpedoes and stealthily sneaking up on an enemy submarine. The game has a steep learning curve at first if you've never played anything like it before. I recommend reading the captain's manual if you want some early pointers on how to learn the basics. Some of the missions take multiple hours to complete, and I found it easy to lose myself in the game. It's got simplistic graphics, as it is an older game. On Windows 7 platforms, I've noticed that the game doesn't run as reliably as older versions of Windows, i.e. random crashing in the middle of missions for no reason. That seems to be one of the only downfalls that I have come across. Other than that, definitely a thumbs up.

trar
trar

A classic in the submarine simulation genre. The missions may be canned - with no random variation aside from random box patrols and units reacting to you - but the sim gameplay itself is great. When it came out, it pretty much blew the competition out of the water. You know, just like the ships in the game itself.

The graphics and presentation are obviously dated, but still have a certain charm. You don't really play naval sims for the graphics, anyway. Just wait until it's on sale so you actually get decent value, and yes, it does go on sale. Of course, the key word here is simulator, 'cause it's pretty close to one. If you're not at least a little interested in submarines, or unwilling to study the manual, you won't have a very good time.

Gameplay consists of navigating your vessel, an improved Los-Angeles class submarine, and completing objectives such as sinking enemy ships and laying mines. Most of this is done through looking at and manipulating instrument panels, though there are map screens and an exterior 3D view.

To get a general idea of what it's like, this is a boat that sails under the water. Your primary means of figuring out where the Hell you are involves bouncing sound waves off everything - which is called sonar as it sounds cool - because you sure as hell don't have any windows. You may feel that this isn't as easy as navigating in a regular boat (well, regular boat simulator anyway) and you'd be right.

And that's just basic sailing. When you're facing enemy vessels, it can get pretty tense. Overall, when you learn enough to get the hang of it, 688(I) can make for a good challenge. You can also upgrade your sub and your crew between missions with earned points, and change your weapons loadout while in port.

I have not played far enough into the campaign missions yet to really judge the plot or tone of the game. Suffice to say however, 688(I) Hunter-Killer is a hardcore military simulation. You don't play this just for the story. From what I've gathered so far, it's strait-laced enough that you'll probably feel like an actual Navy officer - any moral objections you may encounter will have to come from your own self. There is the option of ending your mission at any point, which if you haven't completed many objectives will get you chewed out. You cannot, however, talk back or go AWOL. Also of note is the scenario editor, as well as the number of custom scenarios available on fansites.

The submarine controls themselves are sensibly laid out and pretty easy to use once you know how. Of course, this game made the Guinness Book of World Records 1999-2000 as 'Most Intellectually Challenging PC Game', and while I probably wouldn't call it the hardest game in existence anymore, I'd say the difficulty still holds up. It's certainly far from impossible and pretty fun to learn the ship's systems, but operating them under pressure is another thing. Having the assistants enabled helps.

You unfortunately cannot access any proper tutorials in-game. There are tutorial missions available to play, short tutorial videos in the game directory accessible from the splash screen and a comprehensive PDF manual is included. You will need to read the manual - I recommend putting it on a tablet to consult while underway.

All that said, 688(I) was released in 1997. It may not run that well on modern systems, even if it runs well on mine (Windows 10 64-bit). The naval combat packs it comes in are rather pricey, too; you should wait for a sale.

The Steam version of 688(i) is the latest patched version, 1.08, initially a re-release of the game in 2006. Random fun fact: this game used to be published by EA.

This game's music is of special mention. It's around 8 or so MIDI tracks, and it's the sort of techno-suspense stuff you might hear from a more subdued Tom Clancy film. You can download it here and get some of the songs from the game remixes in MP3 format from here. They're very good and very appropriate.

You can also watch the special promo/press kit/B roll video they release here. Pretty fascinating glimpse into development, plus some gameplay on a period computer that's laughably slow compared to today.

Remy D. Marquis
Remy D. Marquis

Honestly, I didn't understand the game mechanics all that much so I dropped it.

lever
lever

This is a game that comes from a time when one had to have skill to win. If you like 90s graphics for explosions, a necessity to read online forums to understand the game's mechanics, and an overall love for strategey at sea; this is the game to play. I've been playing it since 1999, and I don't see a reason to stop.

Sinanovski
Sinanovski

This is one of those classic sim games that you can not go wrong with. If you grew up in the era of Jane's fleet games, and the good Electronic Arts games, this one is for you. This is well worth the price. Get it.

nexigen
nexigen

It lacks an in depth tutorial and there's not much to be found online regarding gameplay mechanics. Once you get the hang of it, it gets fun. Expect to spend 10 hours or so getting the hang of it, if not more. This game is fairly bug-free. It has a campaign which is 'ok'. The campaign debriefings are intentionally cheesy, I think it sort of loses some realism there but it's also a bit funny, so it's a wash. It could stand to use some extra features that were included with the sequel, Sub Command, but I wouldn't recommend that one due to the overwhelming bugs.

๐šƒ๐š’๐š‹๐šž๐š›รณ๐š—
๐šƒ๐š’๐š‹๐šž๐š›รณ๐š—

This is more of an educational program than a video game.

I know what you're going to say next: "Educational? You mean I have to learn stuff? I don't want that. I just want to jump into an FPS and play deathmatch with my buds".

If that is your mindset then I'm afraid this game is not for you.

What you have here is a highly detailed technical simulation of a modern-day fast attack submarine. When I say "modern" I mean 1997, but I don't think they've changed much since then. And don't let the original release date throw you off; this "game" is much more sophisticated than any games made today. And for 1997 it's a virtual milestone. The development company (Sonalysts) actually specializes in combat sims and they have worked closely with the U.S. Navy in producing training programs. They have developed other sub sims, which are also on Steam. The point being: they know their stuff!

If you want something with more visual flair then I would highly suggest any WW2 sub sim, especially any of the Silent Hunter games. As a matter-of-fact they are a must for anyone wanting to break into this genre. They will provide a basic understanding of how submarines work, and you won't be banging yourself over the head for making small mistakes. They are incredibly fun, and easy to jump in and learn too. Those will actually make learning the Sonalysts sims that much easier to comprehend. I'm no expert, however, and I only write this review as a student trying to help other students learn. WW2 sub sims have taught me a lot on a subject that, until a few months ago, I knew absolutely nothing about. Now I'm reading books on the subject and technical manuals as well.

Of course this is not something for everyone. It's very technical and there are no in-game tutorials to help you out. Even die-hard sub sim fans may be intimidated by the complicated interface. You won't find any hand-holding here, and you won't see much in the way of visual representation. When you're in a real submarine you are actually swimming blind, and this game captures that as accurately as it can. Luckily it comes with quite a lengthy manual so you better study that hard before playing. I'm still new to sub sims myself, but I'm moving at such a fast rate and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I've downloaded the game's manual to an e-reader to study while I'm offline and it's very insightful.

This game is for those players who want to take sub simulation to the next level. But does a learning curve mean that the game is not fun? Of course not, but the education is part of the reward.

flamming_python
flamming_python

This is a very relaxing game that you can just switch on in the background while you're going through some boring documents, etc... just switching back to the game every 10-15 minutes or so to make sure everything's going good with your sub.

dot matrix printer
dot matrix printer

Very realistic
good gameplay 9/10

Life Pilgrim
Life Pilgrim

I played Sub Command during my undergraduate years and was hooked to it. Played it all night long every Saturday at my dorm. I then bought Dangerous Waters which improved upon it. I never tried 688(I) Hunter/Killer although I heard it was an excellent game. That is until today. On my first try I fell in love with it. The gameplay feels better than both Sub Command and Dangerous Waters primarily due to the better interface design. They even put 3D layout of the submarine interior and a 3D view that's uniquely attached to one of the stations available to you. Somehow, this makes the gameplay shines a lot more than it does in Sub Command or Dangerous Waters.

Truly a classic that's very much still enjoyable in the present day. If commanding a modern submarine piques your interest this is a must buy still even in 2016. They made games like no other back then. To think that a 1997 game still has a lot to offer even in 2016 is a testament to how well thought this game is.

Yes, it is superior to Sub Command and Dangerous Waters in gameplay, except for the graphics and number of playable platforms. The mechanics of the games are identical just the addition of 3D interior layout, no matter how simple, and the simplicity of contact management make 688(I) Hunter/Killer that much more realistic and enjoyable. They don't even bother to give you the 'Turns per Knot' values of commercial ships as it should be since otherwise the U.S. Navy would have to record every single merchant, commercial, and civilian ship's engine. Maybe they do record the engine signature of the biggest commercial ships but I don't think they record every single ship inclucding its TPK value. Smaller nations may also use smaller TPK database or even none at all. The 'Turns Per Knot' value is probably related to the design of propeller and the ship's tonnage as well as the ship's keel/hull design. So, the limited 'Turn Per Knot' data in the game made it even more realistic in my opinion.

The only downside is there are not that many enemy ships and submarines for you to target.

Gameplay description:
My first game was enemy boomer (SSBN) hunting. Couple rebel controlled Delta IVs are in dsignated Op Area and I need to kill them. Intelligence suggests that they may be escorted by enemy SSNs and that it is best to leave the SSNs alone until I get the boomers to avoid alerting the rebels into launching their ICBMs. Early in game, I detected a Victor II SSN and I couldn't help but to plot the best solution I could do and launched two Mk. 48 ADCAP at it. The ADCAPS sank the SSN much to my joy.

My second try was the campaign. I am ordered to approach Cuba's south coast to disembark a SEAL team. Intelligence suggests couple Koni FFGs or the likes patroling the area. There is also a Foxtrot missing from port. So, I approach Cuba's south coast under thermal layer. There was quite a traffic of commercial shipping above. Couple hours later, my sonar detected a strong contact above layer and it was the Foxtrot. I couldn't avoid it as we were just too close. The layer had concealed it from me and I had been to them. But not anymore. The order was weapon tight and to only fire when fired upon. So I reduced speed but the Foxtrot detected me and decided to turn around to tail me while pinging me. How embarrasing..........The SEAL team will be captured if I disembark them couple hours from now.

JClem
JClem

Amazing childhood memory. I know a guy who served on a 688i, he sadly hasn't had time to check this out yet. :(

That being said, it's incredibly realistic, albeit a tad cartoony being that it's from the late 90s, early 2000s. There is no tutorial, no training mission per se, but there is a manual that will explain the first mission to you step by step. You'll need the manual to learn the game but it's really fun once you do.

While I was learning, this game made me feel like Rex from Toy Story when Buzz first comes around:

"Say, what's that button do?"

10/10 will fail the first mission again

Mountaineer Eugene
Mountaineer Eugene

Its great for It's year yeah. But now its way too expensive without any discount. And I prefer wasting my time at silent hunter series(especially the third one) instead of this game.

Simen
Simen

1: Spend a few hours reading the manual and doing tutorial missions.
2: Spend half an hour staring at sonar while trying to figure out what you're looking at-
3: Fire a torpedo and make evasive maneuvers.
4: Wait 15 minutes.
5: Realize you tried to sink a whale.

8/10, very slow but also very satisfying in the end.

Penitenziagite
Penitenziagite

Such an old game - but still runs on Win10 without issues. Graphics are obviously extremely outdated, but the gameplay hasn't changed. It's still a great sub sim, if you like those stealth games that don't work with just visual input. Unlike many modern sub games, it's not just an underwater "flight sim", but a game mostly about staying undetected. Still recommended. If you know what to expect.

The Old Taylor Swiftsz
The Old Taylorโ€ฆ

This is an extremely old game based on a submarine simulator in a war scenario. You are essentially taking control of a submarine in midst of combat. It is definitely not a game for everybody. It is a realistic simulator of what a person in a submarine needs to do in order to survive and fight. It isn't your casual arcade game where you're controlling a submarine from the outside swimming around blowing up battleships.

It definitely takes a while to get used to because there's a lot that needs to be learned when first playing. The tutorials do give you an insight of what does what but for something so complex it doesn't explain 'too well' in my opinion. I still have trouble playing the game and can't really enjoy it even after looking at tutorials. That being said, it's recommended for people who enjoy realistic simulators (that do not include jokes such as Grass Simulator or Goat Simulator) and have at least a good amount of knowledge and terminology for these types of settings.

It is relentless and confusing as all hell but if you get the controls down I'm sure it isn't half bad.

It isn't my cup of tea but it does pose as a pretty realistic simulator, although not graphically.
As a game, I do not recommend it but as a simulator, it is pretty good at what it is.

As for recommendations, I can't really put it on either side but every review is subjective and based on my experience, it wasn't as enjoyable as I really wanted it to be.

But to be fair:

It is good for people who enjoy realistic simulators (specifically submarines and war), but is not good to be seen as a casual game.

TL;DR: Refer to blue text.

Xiangchow
Xiangchow

Bought this game solely on the premise that I bought the game when it was released. Definately old school....nostalgic

2nd Class Janitor - Wilco
2nd Class Janiโ€ฆ

Tags: Warfare Vehicle Simulation
Additional Tags: Delete Local Content & Remove from Library

TLDR: Mount Everest High Learning Curve. Outdated. Cannot get to any gameplay. This is not my job and I dont have years of my life to dedicate to the mastering of this abandonware title. Pretty sure real life modern nuclear submarines have stations that are more user friendly than this

Review: Okay all jokes aside this might be a really well designed submarine simulation its just... help a man out here guys. Maybe realistic simulators like this can still exist nowadays but they would need some serious in-game hand holding until you are fully trained and ready to go. The audiovisual lacklusterness of it all does not help either. The music was kind of alright and the sound effects when pushing buttons and dials felt all official and important sounding.

A full 250 pages manual is available in the game's directory and might prove more entertaining than the actual game and definitely is a value-added, and might even tempt you into trying the game out for longer once you have consumed it's content. I would definitely recommend anyone remotely interested in this title not to launch the game and start there instead

Cabal
Cabal

Why should you buy Jane's 688(i) Hunter/Killer:

It was one amongst few modern submarine simulation available at the market and ofcourse one of the best, if not THE best. This sim is all about processing data which you receive from your various sonar sensors at your 688 improved Los-Angeles class attack submarine. You should really ignore the graphics in these kind of sims because of the fact that you sit inside a steel tube trying to listen for enemy surface threats, evading them in order to accomplish your mission.

This sim starts to get even more interesting if you do every part yourself:
- Listen and detect contacts with the broadband sonar
- Use the narrowband to identify contacts (a big database of collected "fingerprints" during peace times of almost every ship)
- Determine the speed in the DEMON (Demodulated Noise) with a pre-set Turns per knot (TPK) values for the identified ship
- Use all data (bearing, range, speed, course) for the Target Motion Analysis (TMA) to get a good solution on the ship
- Assign the solution to one or more tubes and fire.

To support some of the above mentioned steps, you can use the periscope as well as the electronic surveillance measures mast (ESM) to identify nearby contacts (only bearings), use your radar to receive more detailed data but blowing up your cover and merge this information with the available sierra contact => making it a master contact since more than 1 sensors provide data on one contact.

But you want to receive a mission first right? Go shallow and either raise your radio mast or deploy a cable which swims on the surface and wait for your orders.

Imagine having 5 contacts, you get really busy.

You have training missions, single missions and campaigns as well to test your skills. This is the best entry to modern submarine simulations if your computer is able to run that older sim!

If you liked it:
Sonarlysts - Sub Command (688(i), Seawolf, Akula)
Sonarlysts - Dangerous Waters (688(i), Seawolf, Akula, Kilo, Oliver Hazard Perry FFG, SH-60R Seahawk, P-3C Orion)
Sonarlysts - Fleet Command (from the strategical point of view)
Ubisofts Silent Hunter 5 - Battle of the Atlantic (World War II but not without Mods's!)

Please visit my channels if you are interested into oldies (startup project!):
www.twitch.tv/tertius_oculus
www.youtube.com/channel/UCtoN73hHYN0oTlqknOwxIUw

Scifiwriterguy
Scifiwriterguy

Calling 688(I) a game is unfair; this is a true simulator. As such, it's definitely not for everybody.

There are very few accommodations made for the sake of gameplay here. This isn't a sub game where it's blazing action at all times, with subs that behave like speedboat/fighter jet hybrids. No. Submarine combat is a matter of skulking around in the dark, moving cautiously, listening, and above all, patience. About the only "gimme" for the sake of gameplay is the inclusion of a "speed up" function to enable you to pass time more quickly, handy when getting your boat into position or running down the clock; otherwise, you're on your own.

There isn't a lot of training materials to go on, either. The manual explains a lot of "what," but very little "how." Some of it you can learn by trial and error, but you're going to need to do some reading. Have a scrap pad handy, because you're going to need to jot down notes - lat/long positions, times, maybe a few other odds and ends - because the game isn't going to remember it for you. And correctly firing a torpedo is not a point-and-click operation if you want the best chances of hitting your target. The learning curve for this sim is steep. More like a learning cliff. As a result, some handy tools are found only by random discovery or reading the game's phone book of a manual. Still, what isn't immediately apparent (chart table tools, for example) can be worked around less efficiently with good old paper and pencil.

However, provided you have the patience and determination to get yourself up that learning curve, 688(I) is extremely rewarding. Every single submariner tool is at your disposal, and with proper use, you can do some amazing things. You'd be hard pressed to find a more detailed, thorough, and accurate sub sim anywhere. So long as you're willing to invest the time to build the necessary skills - and a realistic submarine simulator is what you really want and not an arcade game - you will love this.

orb.it
orb.it

Okay, I love this game. I WILL SPEND HOURS JUST LISTENING TO MY HEADPHONES! You are out in the ocean, places you shouldn't be, or after someone who shouldnt be there. All you have to locate them is your headphones, and a lot of patience. Your job is to stay unseen but ready with your finger on the trigger. It can be tricky as some of your tools can give away your position, so things can be tense, even in total silence as you are hunted yourself. As a simulator, it is really nice at giving you the tools to understand and practice your submariner skills and tactics. It DOES require reading of the manual. But it is very well written and gives you all the knowledge required to be a keen and silent hunter. Keep in mind that this game has no true"external view" and is only commanded by consoles as it would be inside the real thing. There is a small 3D visualizer for fun but its by no means required to play.

matt19852085
matt19852085

Didnt like it one bit it looks like something from the 1990s I think I will continue with Silent Hunter.

Ember The Dragon
Ember The Dragon

it works on win 10 not very well but it works people keep saying there a virus or something it dont seem to find it or it has not affeted my PC however its HARD to learn fully so take some time to learn

The Magician
The Magician

A classic game that still holds up even to today's standards. Realistic simulation. Very cool indeed!

Elbmek
Elbmek

I used to play this a lot but then windows progressed and the game became more and more difficult to even open, eventually I gave up.

Gaming4ever
Gaming4ever

For a games from the 90's, 78% of them wouldn't work on windows 10, still does. I enjoy the campaigns, I find it to be one of the hardest games I've ever played a day in my life. I love the biologics, which I don't think are in DC. The sonars feel very alive. The game has all the same game play opions Dc does, it's just not great on the graphics, also it's resloution is a tiny bit off in windows 10, but nothing that prevents me from playing it. All around I love it.

Natonorad
Natonorad

This game was the first game that I thought really started to feel like a real modern Sub Game. Although quite old, they got this one right. I could play this for hours. I would recommend this game to anyone who likes hardcore Sub simulation games and wants to see what I would consider the first of the great ones.

Wildpokerman
Wildpokerman

This game is dated and not in a cute Minecraft way. The links to the manual and FAQs in the game menu are broken and now lead to "content is not here" generic Microsoft pages.

The controls are not intuitive. I spent an hour watching a You Tube video of doing the into video which is pretty much "how to dive and remain undetected". The sub movement is pretty much close to real time, you can speed it up but it's pretty monotonous.

The voiceovers are bad. Like really bad. I felt like someone was about to yell out "someone set us up the bomb".

I have to say if this was 30 years ago this game would have been bad ass on the Commodore or Windows 3.5 P.C. but I don't see myself playing it with what's available today.

BenjB83
BenjB83

Great old classic game. Not as good as Fast Attack from Sierra in my opinion, but still a great title and quite difficult on full realism settings. Too bad the time of those good old sub and war sims is apparently over. Good buy and not regretting it. In my opinion it is even the best of the series (Dangerous Water, etc.). Though the other games are not bad either.

SuperPop
SuperPop

Absolutely terrible!
Got it in a 4 pack submarine game bundle for $3. Figured I'd go nostalgic but this was nothing I've ever seen be called a game before and I've been around since before there even was a PC. Could not play a single one because they were just screen shot screens.
Even though it was only $3, I feel very robbed.

Kobra_Kyle
Kobra_Kyle

It was fun and very realistic. However it doesnโ€™t do a good job at explaining how to play for inexperienced players.

da.infamous.chi
da.infamous.chi

playing this game is like driving an old car. sometimes things work, sometimes they don't. back when this game first came out i thought about getting it but knew i didn't have the time to play a subsim, so i passed. started playing it a while ago and though i don't mind the old-school graphics, the glitchy performance is annoying. random things in the game stop working for no reason. some times you can pan, sometimes you can't. sometimes your sonar works, sometimes it doesn't. not because of gameplay, just because of no reason i can find. i think i could have really liked this game, but it's just something to mess with when i have time. try it out while it's on sale.

Nilop
Nilop

Immerse yourself in the life-and-death pressure of an authentic 688(i) Los Angeles class nuclear attack sub. Developed by actual U.S. Navy Defense contractors, Jane's dead-on combat sim pulls you deep into the depths of intensity. Critical operating systems include weapons control, sonar suite and target motion analysis. With multiplayer capabilities the only question is, how long can you hold your breath?

josephtosatto
josephtosatto

688(I) HUNTER/KILLER is an excellent game. I've been playing it for years.

However....BEWARE Steam's version of this game as it is now bugged/unplayable...as of June 13, 2019.

As Steam has no true customer service; per se, and absolutely no person you could actually speak with, I now have a great game that can no longer be played....and zero Steam 'support' to remedy the problem.

ALL of us whom purchased 688(I) HUNTER/KILLER are now unable to play the game, thanks to a Steam auto-update which adds the virus into the mix. DO NOT BUY THE GAME FROM STEAM. You'll find yourself with a game you cannot play.

The game's 688I_HK.exe executable program contains a TROJAN. This particular trojan WILL immediately corrupt your computer's registry, rename and add itself to your Windows startup routine. DO NOT allow this bad boy on your system. If you do you'd best be 100% certain you're prepared to do a full system restore to a previous restore point to regain control.

Mamoma
Mamoma

This game when it came out was the best... now its a bit dated.. but cool!

The Golden Knight
The Golden Knight

Steep learning curve (doubly if you don't know your Navy shorthand), but with buttons that actually do stuff, and a way of controlling that can't be mapped strictly to a gamepad (moving to different "posts")...they don't make games like this anymore. I miss this. Though it's slow paced as an experience (and crashed once for me), I absolutely admire the 90s graphics and the soundtrack (we need more like that, with this kind of "tension" and "intensity").

Also I swear the map is both bigger and emptier than anything put out by studios in the past 10 years. That's both a good thing and a bad thing.

Spicy_Noodles
Spicy_Noodles

This game woke up the sleeping younger me and made me feel like a kid again who was figuring out how to play a game without using the manual. The gameplay is so immersive and the story is so deep I can promise that you won't regret buying and playing this game. After all, it's made by the best sim company, Jane's. They make REAL intelligence stuff for the REAL military organizations so the game's definitely realistic; unquestionable, undeniable. There is one catch with their games though, they are so realistic that they have a really steep learning curve.

Stimulus Package
Stimulus Package

Bring submarine warfare to the surface

Genfour
Genfour

Old school time sink.

Much fun.

WildDogUSA
WildDogUSA

fun little game that you can create your own missions in.

nyghtstar688
nyghtstar688

This is one of my favorite games of all time.
I have always been intrigued by submarines.
I also like Age Of Empires

Khalthehunted332
Khalthehunted332

Still A classic many years later! Although Personally I rather liked Red Storm Rising and Fast Attack Better. But this is really nice and better yet it has a level editor so you can have endless fun. NO TWO GAMES IS THE SAME!! Dangerous waters and Sub Command is better though!!

Janes and Sonalysts Always outdo themselves. Just like with USNF Gold and Fleet command it has a level editor. Many of the missions are based on Actual navy training scenarios and actual missions performed by our brave Navy boys.

I believe there is also a mod that allows you to control an Akula Class sub and even have Nuclear launch missions but I don't remember.

Anyways! This is an excellent Sub Simulator. It is a bit difficult to master at first but its probably the best out there and not only that One of the most realistic after Fast Attack.

hawkdancer_myrick
hawkdancer_myrick

this is a great game ifyou like sub sims

Casablanca
Casablanca

ask valve's customer service, they're responsible for this.

Anonymous
Anonymous

very good game gets you thinking

Eagle7865
Eagle7865

This game is hard and requires patience but is rewarding as you figure out what's going on. Old school sim .. really takes me back.

FuLLkruM
FuLLkruM

One of the greatest simulators i have ever played. This is a dense simulator that concerns the operation of a Los Angeles Class nuclear-powered submarine. Although its graphics are not great, even for its time, it still a highly detailed game in terms of physics and from the technical point of view. However, it's important to note that for the first few hours, you are going to be stuck reading the included manual, but i can assure you that it's totally worth it if you're into this kind of game.

w.f.harney
w.f.harney

i have never got this game to work. it always crashes

sleeping.shark
sleeping.shark

An excellent game treading the line between a hardcore simulator a fun game to play. As its developed by an actual sonar analytics firms, you probably can expect something good. There is definitely a steep learning curve, however this is somewhat mitigated if you take the time to read some of the manual that comes with the game. In the manual, they walk you through the first mission and teach you the basics of stealth and sonar. For those still finding it difficult, the crew can be set to help with sonar, TMA and weapons. Nevertheless, before long you start feeling less lost and more like the hunter/killer under the waves. And yet there is still that terror when you think you're invisible that you will suddenly hear "torpedo in the water, bearing 022!!"

While the game is definitely dated in graphics, it easily makes up in tense game-play. I don't think there's any modern game quite like this one. Honestly, this game is worth the approximate 10โ‚ฌ full price, definitely worth it on sale in the Naval Combat Pack.

Anonymous
Anonymous

It`s fairly realistic. Obviously the real thing is easier as you have a bigger crew and can delegate.

lobsanghoskins
lobsanghoskins

Even 20 years after it originally came out, still overall the best modern sub sim.

DC
DC

Excellent game for hardcore simulation fans - a lot of depth.

However, there is a considerable amount you need to learn in order to play the game. If you are looking for an arcade game to pick up and have a quick blast with, then this is not for you.

Littlebird
Littlebird

Very nice simulation with 250 page manual...

bronto19
bronto19

The original submarine simulation. There is nothing better to cut your teeth on. This and then Silent Hunter III and you win!

Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian Devil

Game too difficult to learn to play. No manual. No good video on you tube to help me learn how to play. This is not like the original 688 attack sub.

Talisman
Talisman

688i has been passed by in the era of W10 and Steam; use "Dangerous Waters" for the same, but slightly better, experience, and save some money; it works well under both W10 and Steam.

The headaches it takes to get this to work under W10 and Steam aren't worth the cost.

xtra9962
xtra9962

No offense to anyone... but the graphics on this are Atari at best!

Game wouldn't load until after several attempts. I'm returning this one. Best so far has been Cold Waters for graphics and game play.

Twiztedmartiny
Twiztedmartiny

downloaded the game and played for a few hours went to get back on a couple of days later and the game wont even load any more kinda disappointed was having some fun with this game

wrb41977
wrb41977

This is a submarine simulator, where you play as the Captain of an Improved 688 attack sub (Los Angeles-class). Move silently, strike deadly. Your opponents can be a number of enemy platforms from the late 90โ€™s. At least, as far as I can tell, since there seem to be some missing Soviet/Russian naval units, which might have been retired at that time. Controls are not intuitive, and will take some getting used to.

Suggest buying in the bundle, since there are quite a few decent games within.

GusmanCHarris
GusmanCHarris

The oldest and best nuclear sub simulation out there. The 3D graphics are a bit dated, but it should not matter in a sub of this kind.

rbhoel
rbhoel

Very immersive and accurate submarine simulation game. It is challenging and has a leaning curve that requires study of the manual for quick action in the game. Many enjoy this game.

edkenshin
edkenshin

The 688(I) Hunter/Killer is a sub sim of the Los Angeles-class Nuclear Attack Submarine (SSN). It's a great sim even for today's standards (it was released in 1997). The 3D models (and the units depicted) didn't age well. The models are blocky and the ship classes are outdated. However, if you can pass thru that, you will find a good game with interesting missions and tense moments.

Evco
Evco

While this game's visuals and controls haven't particularly aged very well the simulation aspect is still very enjoyable and feels very realistic to the average person. There are fortunately a whole lot of more modern games in this genre these days but there's still nothing quite like the classic.

Daburb
Daburb

This is a game of stealth and time to action. Slow, deliberate, and plotting to track your prey while avoiding detection and counter-fire..... Very realistic when compared to actual submarine operations.

-NightCrawler-
-NightCrawler-

I have played this game for way more hours that I accredited for. I played this game before Steam, and I Loved it. I know it is an older game, but it has some great attributes.

Political assassin 2020
Political assaโ€ฆ

great operations, and access parascope

Boom
Boom

Recommended for experienced submariners. If you are new to the submarine simulator genre, I highly suggest doing some research on YouTube about the basics of submarine operations/tactics ("Sub Brief" is a great channel for this). There is also a manual for the game included in the launcher for those that prefer an in-depth read and attention to detail. Playing this game as a total rookie can be very challenging but not impossible for those who are up for said challenge.

Pros:
-Since this game was made by a US Navy submarine simulator developer, you can expect a good deal of realism. What's not entirely realistic to the 688 class submarine is entirely functional and practical. They have made an excellent declassified simulator for the 688.
-The complexity of the game is a perfect balance. Yes, there are a lot of menus and systems to familiarize with and become proficient in. However, it's not all thrown at you at once.
-The missions are straight forward, dynamic, and re-playable. If you prefer stealth, you have every tool at your disposal. If you think you can go loud and fight or outmaneuver your enemies, good luck, the 688 was built for it.

Cons:
-As I stated earlier, beginners be warned! There is a pretty big learning curve and no in-mission instruction. Read the manual, the boat's database, or just brute force trial and error. If you like a good challenge, this is the game for you.

CannedBison
CannedBison

What we have here is a great attempt at making a submarine simulator that was novel enough when it was made that the average player did not really notice its flaws, but over time these have become extremely noticeable. I tend to put "688 Hunter Killer" into a category of games with "L.A. Noire", "Tropico" and "Assassin's Creed" which I credit with reaching very high with a new concept, and almost making it.

The problem is that most missions are either too easy or too hard. Any mission with surface contacts or aging Soviet SSNs tend to be fairly easy to accomplish, while those with Akulas, for example, leave a great deal to chance. During the mission "Rebel Yell" for example, there is a certain distance threshold where an Akula submarine will spontaneously become audible even while traveling at the same speed before and after, suggesting that the sub has crossed a computer-generated landmark rather than a fuzzier boundary of semi-audibility when you could possibly puzzle out a hostile sub's location based on subtle sonar trends. This happens with both platforms, actually. A 688-Class American submarine should generate an extremely low sound signature at 5 knots, but an Akula seems to have no trouble. This suggests that software is generating location possibilities off of a detection "bubble" extending from the platforms rather than generated sound. It is not possible to finish the mission successfully unless you travel the whole way around the operations zone and approach from the other side.

There are other missions like this, but the simple thrust of this review is that the whole model of detection is much simpler and arithmetic than future submarine simulators can be, and that limits both the enjoyment and replayability of this title. A casual enthusiast may gain some joy out of some missions, but don't depend on perfect realism from this title.

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

Being an ex-sub sailor, I may be a bit biased, but this is not unlike what we did when underway. Fun game, if you have patience.

ngpilot
ngpilot

The BEST modern subsim of all time - this one just has a lot of charm. I've played Dangerous Waters, Sub Command and Cold Waters; all great games in their own right, but there is just something about 688i that keeps me coming back for more.

I love the cheesy 90s graphics (they get the job done), the slick interface (UI is super intuitive and easy to use), and especially love the mini 3D view we get while operating the boat. The AI is great and the game rewards real-life sub tactics.

Best of all, it comes with multiplayer working out of the box! Nothing is more tense than an underwater sniper match between you and a friend - it's almost chess-like as you try to outwit, outmanouever and not be the one to blink first.

The soundtrack is awesome and tense as hell. The game is a sim, but "sim" in the 90s sense of the word. Is it realistic? Yes. Does it take a 600 page manual to learn? No. I would say this is very accessible and an excellent game to start with if underwater warfare interests you at all.

For newbies and old salty skippers alike, you won't regret this purchase if you enjoy naval sims.

P.S. Run a search on the internet for "Jane's 688i Bluebook". If you can find a download link, it contains tons of great tricks and tips to use. A couple of which I use that help me A LOT:

1. Over-the-shoulder-shot: Put your stern on the target (so that you're pointing away from the target) and launch torpedoes. Let them run a little ways away from your boat, and then use the wire-control to steer them 180 and have drive them BACK toward your boat and past it on the way to the target. By firing and not having your bow pointing directly at the target, this masks the sound signature of your launch and the target will likely not be able to pick up the torps until they go active.

2. Torpedo Surfing: If you need to cover a HUGE distance to get up close to a target, but afraid that going flank will give your location away, launch a torpedo in the direction you want to go, activate it, and then dive deep and go flank (deep enough so that you don't cavitate) - You are basically following your torpedo a little ways behind it and lower than it and masking your sound. The enemy will hear the torpedo and assume that you're sitting fat and dumb where it was launched, instead of not realizing that you're hauling ass right behind it decreasing the distance between you and the target. Their torps will go to where you WERE, not where you are.

CitizenRyan
CitizenRyan

Great game. I can't believe how well it has held up over the many years since release. The store should say MULTIPLAYER, because it works! My dad and I played last night.

Rusti
Rusti

Still the best modern sub simulators around...which is sad given how old the game is.
WE NEED A NEW BETTER ONE!!!

Sarumano
Sarumano

One of the greatest classic submarine simulators ever. I like it

torpex
torpex

Older graphics, but the game play is Very Good! Im a retired Fast Attack Chief served on 3 Boats and This is a very good Sim!

G.Metzo
G.Metzo

Terribly out-dated but imensely fun. What makes it so entertaining in my opinion is the fact that out of all the old nuke subs ( 688i, sub command and dangerous waters ) it's the only one with training missions. You feel like you make your way through sub school, learning all about navigation, contact acquisition and recognition, torpedo and misile firing etc. And then you've got a decent enough campaign to apply everything on. If you played cold waters and liked it, but felt the simulation was in the shallow side, give this game a try. You'll find it for something like a dollar on sale.

WolfBozley
WolfBozley

After trying this game, even though its still difficult and haven't fully understood it yet. This game was amazingly made. After playing fleet command a bit and seeing this and Sub Command discounted, I bought the two games and they're a great game to pass the time.

(KRA)Gray Wolf 3rdX0
(KRA)Gray Wolf 3rdX0

688 and fleet comand defently work. other two dont. get them seprate Sub comand and Dark waters dont work and will be a pain to get a refund if ya play the ones I mentiond... I dont recamend this paackage only 688 and fleet comand so get them seprate.

SeanPerryman
SeanPerryman

I guess its good if you want an immersive sub captain simulator. Not my cup of tea.

richard.a.hubbard
richard.a.hubbard

Former submariner... Technical adviser was my former CO (Terry Jones). Walks right up to the classified/not classified line regarding realism... plus, just a damned good game!

Qestral Phade
Qestral Phade

This is a classic! Even after 24 years it is one of the most engaging naval sims due it's detail. It doesn't feel dumbed down, and you have to put some effort into mastering it. Well worth it!

Tronยฉ
Tronยฉ

Graphics are dated but it still holds up in game play, fun if you like these types of games.

Coffee Time
Coffee Time

A great game with more depth than any modern naval game.

>noderunner_
>noderunner_

Sadly this game suffers from heavy graphical artifacting on Linux and presumably the upcoming Steam Deck.

Kurzer
Kurzer

Unplayable on Steam, shame, it's a great game that I've owned many copies of on various platforms over the years.

_GoldManV
_GoldManV

A message for developers. I have a game running in a small screen. Please release the patch. Or tell me what to do?

fanfoz
fanfoz

Is it just me? I'd love to be able to review this game but it won't run on my Win10 PC and Steam won't refund me :-(

n141az
n141az

Best sub/sonar simulator bar none.
Dive under the thermal layer and launch under, detect threats using the towed array and the waterfall display, calculate a solution in the TMA control panel, keep an eye on that helix dropping sonobuoys.
Not an arcade game, each mission will be several hours even with x8 time compression to either win and disappear "like a hole in the water" or you missed something and that torpedo appears ontop of you, too late, you know you are dead ....
Newer versions are dumbed down.

mooshu808
mooshu808

Seems to be derived from a virtual trainer and while the graphics are shpoopty...it is very a fun and engrossing game, I am a sub junkie and this the game for those like myself.