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3DS

North America

Steel Diver: Sub Wars

by Alex Culafi - February 14, 2014, 8:36 am EST
Total comments: 7

Steel Diver 64.

Steel Diver: Sub Wars is the follow-up to the 3DS launch title Steel Diver. While the original game was an interesting 2D arcade-like affair that faithfully portrayed the slow, deliberate nature of submarine combat, Sub Wars takes those mechanics and puts them in the 3D first-person space alongside online multiplayer.

While I enjoyed the combat and experience of playing the original, I always felt that the five hours of content failed to justify the then-full price. Nintendo seems to agree, as Sub Wars takes on an interesting free-to-play model. You can only download the eShop version for free on the store itself, and should you choose to go Premium, you do so in-game while Peppy Hare (or someone who looks a lot like him) tries to sell you on it in a way reminiscent of the recent StreetPass games. In Premium, you gain access to seven single-player missions and tons of submarines and crew members. In the free version, you get the first two single-player missions, two submarines, and the full multiplayer experience (which also comes in the Premium version, of course).

As for the game itself, it takes some getting used to (there is a tutorial though, thankfully). As opposed to the linear single-player missions of Steel Diver, Sub Wars is open in a manner not unlike the arena fights in Star Fox 64 (or like most of Command). You use the touch screen to control your depth and submarine speed, change direction, hide your submarine, and launch torpedoes. With its transition to first person, sonar becomes your best friend, as it allows you to to know where other submarines are within close range. Watch out, though -- sonar can't track any subs when they're standing still. The game also allows you to communicate in actual Morse code in multiplayer with the Y button. Once you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly fun. The periscope, which was used in the previous game for a silly mini-game, is now used to look around in all directions.

The best way to describe how combat feels is, surprisingly, exactly what happens when the gameplay of Steel Diver transitions into 3D. It's still deliberate and slow without being boring, and once you learn the ropes, it manages to play like a Star Fox game that relies on stealth while being much more strategic. The way Iwata described it in the Nintendo Direct is as a "contemplative first-person shooter," and that sounds about right. Like other first-person shooters, positioning, staying one step ahead, and fighting smart are the keys to success. Unlike something like, say, Call of Duty, brute force will get you nowhere. The way to play Sub Wars is to play smart or not play at all. Although there is a learning curve that doesn't offer immediate gratification, I found myself having fun after I learned how to play in the first half-hour. Obtaining a certain number of medals unlocks additional submarines with improved stats and room for crew members (who also affect overall stats).

As for content, there isn't a ton to say. The preliminary two missions consist of going through rings and sinking a handful of basic ships, and there are still three difficulties and medal opportunities to enjoy. The multiplayer, for the one match I played, was pretty fun and ran with no complaints. I should warn you to be aware of what team you're on, as I accidentally took down one of my own submarines and lost the game before I realized that the red team is not automatically my adversary.

Steel Diver: Sub Wars seems all right. It plays like Steel Diver pushed into a 3D space, and although that might not work for some, its strategic gameplay and more accessible price point is OK to me.

Talkback

EvilMarioFebruary 14, 2014

You should give the multiplayer more time and update your impressions. It's where the real meat of the game resides and even without the 'premium' version, it offers plenty of content. You have plenty of customizations for your two free submarines, different crew members that adjust stats, recolouring, different patterns to apply. And there are a variety of maps in multiplayer as well.

Leo13February 14, 2014

Thanks, I'm excited to give this a try

Quote from: EvilMario

You should give the multiplayer more time and update your impressions. It's where the real meat of the game resides and even without the 'premium' version, it offers plenty of content. You have plenty of customizations for your two free submarines, different crew members that adjust stats, recolouring, different patterns to apply. And there are a variety of maps in multiplayer as well.

I have a feeling you're right! The multiplayer seems to make the game even deeper than its predecessor despite only costing $0-10. I'm also hoping that the game dips into ultra crazy territory with its remaining 5 missions (which were the draw of the original IMO).

I also took a quick peek on GAF and /v/ today, and a lot of people seem to be enjoying this in a way reminiscent of the Kid Icarus multiplayer. Nintendo knows how to put out an arena game, I guess.

azekeFebruary 14, 2014

Played a bit of tutorial and one online match. It was alright i guess.

Seems rather shallow so far and nothing on the level of mentioned Kid Icarus multi, but it's totally serviceable.

If i had to compare it to anything i'd compare to World of Tanks only on 3d space because you can dive and resurface. But otherwise rather similar to how slow matches can get.

KITT 10KFebruary 14, 2014

So far I love it! I really liked to first Steel Diver, (the one that was with the 3DS on it's launch date), but this one is definitely superior to the first one. My only two issues with this game is that there is time limits on the stages, (I'm not a fan of that), and that you can switch to an external view, (or a 3rd person view if you wanna call it, but I can deal with those issues). Over all it is worth getting!

PhilPhillip Stortzum, February 14, 2014

I got the original Steel Diver for $5 last Christmas, and I have yet to try it out. Regardless, this new title interests me. I just need to comb through some more impressions and see if it's right for me.

KITT 10KFebruary 14, 2014

I have two corrections for my previous post, 1. I meant to say you "can't" switch views and 2. I forgot to mention that the pictures of the characters in the game look pretty dumb. But as I said, I love the game and would recommend getting it!

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Genre Action
Developer Nintendo
Players1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Steel Diver: Sub Wars
Release Feb 13, 2014
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone 10+
jpn: Steel Diver: Sub Wars
Release Feb 14, 2014
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
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