Crash Dive

Set in the Atlantic ocean during the Second World War, CRASH DIVE puts us in charge of a German U-Boat as it seeks out allied shipping to sink. Currently it is the only submarine simulation I own on the STEAM system and the game reminds me very much of the classic SILENT SERVICE and its sequel released by MICROPROSE all those decades ago. This is certainly not a bad thing!
The whole game is played over just 4 screens. First of all we have the map, definitely the most used when not in combat, and here we plan our destination simply by clicking an area of the ocean. Our vessel moves towards the chosen area unless it runs out of fuel or meets a random encounter with an enemy convoy.
During combat we use either the periscope or deck gun screens depending on whether our submarine is submerged or on the surface and firing either torpedoes or shells is a very simple affair with the mere click of a mouse button. Finally, the combat chart screen displays our vessel and any enemy shipping within range and is essential when we are below periscope depth. Here we witness the battle unfold and can see the run of our torpedoes and enemy escorts attack with depth charges.
Successful torpedo attacks rely on a calculated fire solution gauge turning green when an enemy ship is highlighted for a given length of time. We are initially only given basic information such as the name of the vessel but more becomes available the longer it is targeted including range, speed and type of ship. Firing either torpedoes or shells prompts a short delay while another is loaded before it can be released, with waiting times obviously much less on the easier level settings. There are 6 levels of difficulty to choose from and the harder ones obviously feature more dangerous, zigzagging convoys and highly skilled escorts, plus greater chance of dud torpedoes!
One nice feature of the game is the variety in doomed vessel animations. They go down by the bow and stern, capsize and sometimes simply explode.
Starting a mission or patrol has a fully stocked U-Boat of 25 torpedoes, 185 shells, 10 decoys and 100% fuel status. Fuel is decreased during movement and all the others in combat, although they can be replenished by moving to certain locations on the map. Running out of fuel and being destroyed finishes the game prematurely while a successful patrol will result in returning to our Home Port. If the U-Boat becomes damaged the crew will attempt repairs but this takes time and often - particularly on the harder levels - equipment proves unsalvageable.
There are several game speeds (16 X being the maximum) we can toggle during combat situations and these are often necessary for saving time if we wish to make an escape or wait for the last vessel to sink.
When a mission ends we are greeted with a statistics screen involving information such as the distance travelled, torpedoes / shells fired with hit rates, enemy depth charges released, damage score to the submarine, convoys located and shipping sunk etc. This gives a good idea of how successful we have been.
Menu options include Training (4 types covering different situations), War Patrol, Single Mission, Challenge Missions or Custom. The latter allows us to tweak the game to make it easier or harder by, for instance, toggling dud torpedoes and zigzag manoeuvres. We can also alter the volume of the theme music and graphic quality, too, plus examine scores for both Global and Local Leaderboards.
CRASH DIVE comes with 32 Achievements to collect and some of them - such as the top tonnage sunk and distance travelled rewards - will take many, many hours even on the easiest settings. Graphically it is good but not outstanding while the sound effects are adequate and what we would expect from a game of this type. All in all CRASH DIVE is rather arcade-like and simulation purists are sure to be disappointed if they are expecting a game where, say, every key on the keyboard controls a different function. Yet the random encounters and numerous challenges make each mission totally unique and well rewarding to play!

Steam User 2

Reviewed 04.2023

Set in the Atlantic ocean during the Second World War, CRASH DIVE puts us in charge of a German U-Boat as it seeks out allied shipping to sink. Currently it is the only submarine simulation I own on the STEAM system and the game reminds me very much of the classic SILENT SERVICE and its sequel released by MICROPROSE all those decades ago. This is certainly not a bad thing!
The whole game is played over just 4 screens. First of all we have the map, definitely the most used when not in combat, and here we plan our destination simply by clicking an area of the ocean. Our vessel moves towards the chosen area unless it runs out of fuel or meets a random encounter with an enemy convoy.
During combat we use either the periscope or deck gun screens depending on whether our submarine is submerged or on the surface and firing either torpedoes or shells is a very simple affair with the mere click of a mouse button. Finally, the combat chart screen displays our vessel and any enemy shipping within range and is essential when we are below periscope depth. Here we witness the battle unfold and can see the run of our torpedoes and enemy escorts attack with depth charges.
Successful torpedo attacks rely on a calculated fire solution gauge turning green when an enemy ship is highlighted for a given length of time. We are initially only given basic information such as the name of the vessel but more becomes available the longer it is targeted including range, speed and type of ship. Firing either torpedoes or shells prompts a short delay while another is loaded before it can be released, with waiting times obviously much less on the easier level settings. There are 6 levels of difficulty to choose from and the harder ones obviously feature more dangerous, zigzagging convoys and highly skilled escorts, plus greater chance of dud torpedoes!
One nice feature of the game is the variety in doomed vessel animations. They go down by the bow and stern, capsize and sometimes simply explode.
Starting a mission or patrol has a fully stocked U-Boat of 25 torpedoes, 185 shells, 10 decoys and 100% fuel status. Fuel is decreased during movement and all the others in combat, although they can be replenished by moving to certain locations on the map. Running out of fuel and being destroyed finishes the game prematurely while a successful patrol will result in returning to our Home Port. If the U-Boat becomes damaged the crew will attempt repairs but this takes time and often - particularly on the harder levels - equipment proves unsalvageable.
There are several game speeds (16 X being the maximum) we can toggle during combat situations and these are often necessary for saving time if we wish to make an escape or wait for the last vessel to sink.
When a mission ends we are greeted with a statistics screen involving information such as the distance travelled, torpedoes / shells fired with hit rates, enemy depth charges released, damage score to the submarine, convoys located and shipping sunk etc. This gives a good idea of how successful we have been.
Menu options include Training (4 types covering different situations), War Patrol, Single Mission, Challenge Missions or Custom. The latter allows us to tweak the game to make it easier or harder by, for instance, toggling dud torpedoes and zigzag manoeuvres. We can also alter the volume of the theme music and graphic quality, too, plus examine scores for both Global and Local Leaderboards.
CRASH DIVE comes with 32 Achievements to collect and some of them - such as the top tonnage sunk and distance travelled rewards - will take many, many hours even on the easiest settings. Graphically it is good but not outstanding while the sound effects are adequate and what we would expect from a game of this type. All in all CRASH DIVE is rather arcade-like and simulation purists are sure to be disappointed if they are expecting a game where, say, every key on the keyboard controls a different function. Yet the random encounters and numerous challenges make each mission totally unique and well rewarding to play!

Crash Dive

Game Discussion

Anonymous

Steam User 2