Cold Waters Review Summary

A well-made and fun submarine simulator that is realistic yet playable, though a steep learning curve, multiple bugs, and poor UI design hold it back.

Game is well made and fun: Players consistently praise the game's overall quality, graphics, and enjoyable gameplay. It is described as beautiful, realistic, and addictive, with a good balance between fun and realism.

Excellent submarine simulator: The game is highly regarded as one of the best modern submarine simulators, set during the Cold War. It provides a detailed and engaging narrative experience of submarine combat.

Realistic yet playable: The game strikes a great balance between realism and playability, offering a realistic experience even at lower difficulty levels. It is not overly simulator-like, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Rewarding after learning curve: While the game has a learning curve, players find it very enjoyable and rewarding once they invest time to learn it. It is described as easy to learn but hard to master, with a steep but satisfying progression.

High replayability: The game offers tons of replayability, with each mission having high replay value and a dynamic campaign that provides limitless variety. This keeps the experience fresh and engaging over multiple playthroughs.

Not a true submarine simulator: The game is not a successor to other submarine simulators like Silent Hunter, and it lacks immersive depth. It is more arcade-style, which may disappoint simulation enthusiasts.

Steep learning curve for newcomers: The game requires significant time to learn, with a steep learning curve that can be off-putting. New players may struggle to get used to the mechanics and controls.

Multiple bugs affect gameplay: Players report various bugs, from minor issues to game-breaking ones, which detract from the overall experience. The presence of bugs is a common complaint.

Poor user interface design: The UI is described as horrible, rudimentary, and requiring too many key commands instead of clicks. The interface feels incomplete and needs significant work.

No multiplayer mode available: The game lacks a multiplayer mode, which is a significant omission for players who expect online features. This limits replayability and social interaction.

Cold War submarine simulator: The game is widely described as a submarine simulator set during the Cold War, with a focus on realistic submarine warfare and commanding a nuclear submarine. Many reviews emphasize its tactical and realistic nature, though some note arcade elements.

Multiple campaigns and eras: The game features multiple campaigns set in different time periods, including 1968, 1984, and 2000, with dynamic map movement and encounters. This provides high replay value and variety.

Mix of simulation and arcade: The game strikes a balance between simulation and arcade gameplay, making it accessible to casual players while still offering depth. Some reviews note it is not a full simulator but a more casual experience.

Evasion and stealth mechanics: Players must evade enemy torpedoes and depth charges while managing noise levels and using silent running. Stealth and concealment are critical to survival, with active sonar exposing positions.

Tactical and strategic gameplay: The game emphasizes tactical and strategic decision-making, focusing on commanding a submarine rather than managing individual stations. Players must plan moves and use tactics against various subs and surface ships.

Performance is smooth and optimized: Players report that the game runs very smoothly with no performance issues. The game is also described as very well optimized, indicating a positive technical experience.

Minor bugs exist: Some players have noted the presence of minor bugs in the game. These are not described as game-breaking but are worth mentioning for potential improvements.

Buy on sale: Many reviewers advise purchasing the game at a discount, suggesting that the full price may not be justified.

Recommended for submarine enthusiasts: Multiple reviewers recommend the game to fans of submarine simulations and naval warfare, highlighting its appeal to the target audience.

Use mods for enhanced experience: Reviewers recommend installing mods like Epic Mod, DotMod, and Playable Subs Mod to expand content and improve gameplay.

Good for newcomers to sub sims: The game is considered a good starting point for those new to submarine simulations, being more accessible than hardcore sims.

High praise and 10/10 ratings: Some reviewers give the game perfect scores and strong recommendations, indicating high satisfaction.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00.

Game completion: 17.5h.

Story completion: 17.5h.

Session length: 1.0h.

Cold Waters initially frustrates players with a steep learning curve and sparse tutorial, but becomes highly engaging and rewarding once the mechanics are learned, typically after a few hours of dedicated effort.

Friction: steep learning curve; inadequate text-based tutorial; lack of in-game help; UI requiring many key commands; lack of online resources.

Unlock drivers: completing tutorial missions; reading forums for answers; watching Jive Turkey tutorial videos; using mouse-driven interface after update; learning from guesswork.

Veteran Sub Sim Enthusiast: Methodical, patient, uses historical knowledge, compares to classic sims. Motivation: Nostalgia and deep simulation of Cold War submarine combat. Stance: buy.

Casual Newcomer: Plays on easy settings, learns gradually, enjoys the theme without deep mechanics. Motivation: Accessible entry into submarine simulation without overwhelming complexity. Stance: buy.

Tactical Strategy Thinker: Methodical, patient, uses tactics, plays on higher difficulty. Motivation: Intellectual challenge and rewarding mastery of strategy. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The reviews indicate the game runs well via Proton with no major glitches, making it seamless on Steam Deck. Some users mention a learning curve and manual reading, but no significant technical barriers like launchers, anti-cheat, or unreadable UI. The only crash report stems from a fan-made localization patch, not the base game.

Linux and Proton: Available evidence shows the game runs well under Proton with no major glitches reported. There is no negative Linux/Proton feedback, no mention of anti-cheat, DRM, launcher, or performance blockers tied to Linux, and no reports of crashes or required tweaks. The only other Linux-related mention is a wish for a future native Linux release, which does not reflect current compatibility issues.

Frequent comparisons to Red Storm Rising: Many reviewers compare the game to the 1988/1989 MicroProse classic Red Storm Rising, often describing it as a remake, successor, or spiritual successor. This comparison is the most common reference point in the feedback.

Strong modding community support: Reviewers highlight a thriving modding community that adds depth, variety, and content to the game. The developer's allowance of modding and the availability of mods like dotmod are seen as major positives.

Comparisons to other submarine simulators: The game is frequently compared to other submarine simulators such as Silent Hunter, Dangerous Waters, UBoat, and Sub Command. These comparisons are used to contextualize the game's features, complexity, and overall quality.

Game abandoned by developers: A significant number of reviewers state that the game has been abandoned by its developers, with no updates for almost a decade. This is a major point of criticism and concern for potential buyers.

Chinese localization patch available: A Chinese localization patch is available for version 1.15g, with a link provided by reviewers. This is important information for Chinese-speaking players considering the game.