SimHQ.com - 2008: Double Aught and Almost Naught

The year of 2008 will not be remembered as the best year for naval combat simulations, primarily because there were several major titles that were believed to have been released in 2008 but were pushed into 2009 and beyond. Disappointing is the word that comes to mind right now, however we do have to report our findings don’t we each and every year. However there were several noteworthy naval simulations that were released this year that are under consideration as the 2008 Naval Simulation of the Year. The first major title of which was Pirates of the Burning Sea, by Flying Lab Software, a grand Role-Playing Game or MMO title that will place you on the high seas playing as your favorite pirate.

Pirates of the Burning Sea

Then there was Pacific Storm: Allies, from Buka Entertainment, a popular follow-up to the original game Pacific Storm. In October, Ironclads: American Civil War, by Totem Games, was released and that turn-based naval sim will take you back to historical sea battles between the North and the South, most of which are diagramed and scripted very well. There were also other naval titles that were not combat related that were also released in 2008, among them was Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm. There were also add-ons, or expansion packs and modifications released like U-Boat Missions and the Trigger Maru - Overhauled mod that have extended the life of the original Silent Hunter IV: Wolves of the Pacific that was released in 2007.

Trigger Maru - Overhauled

The Staff has had an extensive debate over the below selections for the Naval Combat Category for 2008, and it must be addressed that a couple of excellent naval games that were released in 2008 came to us very late in the year, primarily early to mid December, that are not listed or named above. These two are Jutland, by Storm Eagle Studios, along with War Plan Pacific, by Shrapnel Games. With that being said, concerning those two games, we did not have enough time to actually evaluate before this end of year article goes to press, so we may reference them in the upcoming 2009 Year in review when we have the time to effectively measure the quality, along with the playability, of those two games.

I know that I may have missed a couple here and there, but please do not think you were totally overlooked. I have to write this 2008 Year in Review the way I see it because if I stated that the naval combat simulation arena was very exciting this year, I would be lying so I am saying it like it is. I wish I could say more concerning 2008 as a Naval Combat Sim filled year, but at this time I cannot. Over the horizon peering into 2009, I see some very promising titles being released and this upcoming year may be a very good year for Naval Combat Simulations. With titles like Battlestations Pacific, PT Boats: Knights of the Sea, East India Company, Empire: Total War, and ANNO 1404 upcoming in 2009, the year 2008 fails in comparison to that monster lineup.

So on with the show.

The Naval Combat Category Winners Are...

Best Naval Simulation of the Year
Pirates of the Burning Sea

Best Naval Mod of the Year
Trigger Maru - Overhauled mod for Silent Hunter IV

Best Naval Add-on of the Year
Silent Hunter IV: U-Boat Missions

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