Info about Cold Waters:

Official game description:
_After tracking a Soviet landing force bound for Iceland it is time to plan your attack. Do you silently close in to torpedo the landing ships and escape during the resulting chaos? Or strike with long-range missiles but risk counterattack from the enemy escorts? Have you detected them all, could another submarine be out there listening for you? Has the hunter become the hunted? Will you survive the Cold Waters?_  
Inspired by the 1988 classic “Red Storm Rising”, command a nuclear submarine in a desperate attempt to prevent “mutually assured destruction” when the Cold War gets hot and WWIII begins.  
You will be tasked with intercepting convoys, amphibious landings, insertion missions and battling it out with enemy warships, submarines and aircraft. Thankfully, an arsenal of wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship and cruise missiles and the occasional SEAL team are on board to keep the Iron Curtain at bay.  
Major Features:  
\- Real-time naval combat  
\- Over 40 classes of ships and submarines all meticulously researched  
\- Dynamic Campaign where your performance matters  
\- Realistic sonar model  
\- Authentic Soviet combat tactics

Release date: Jun 5, 2017

Categories: Submarine Simulation, Real-time Tactics, Cold War Setting, Dynamic Campaign, Stealth Gameplay, Mod Support, Single-player

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works well on Proton; summary: 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.
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless on Steam Deck; summary: 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.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows a split: some reviewers accept $40 as fair, but many others call the full price too high and recommend waiting for a sale. The $20 sale price is repeatedly praised as excellent value, and a half-price discount (around $20) is described as 'great value' in one non-English review. This suggests the community's fair base-game price sits below the $40 launch price, likely in the $20-$30 range where the game is seen as worthwhile without feeling overpriced.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 17.5h
  - Story completion: 17.5h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The Chinese review explicitly states that without mods, the core content is consumed in approximately 15-20 hours, directly supporting gameCompletion and storyCompletion around 17.5 hours. The battle quote indicates individual sessions can last up to an hour, supporting sessionLength of 1 hour. The 200-hour playtime with mods suggests extended replayability but not a defined base-game endgame, so endgame is null. The 20-hour repetitive campaign comment corroborates the campaign length estimate.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: 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.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Learning the game mechanics
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - 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
  - Conditions: willingness to learn; prior experience with Red Storm Rising; using mods; patience with the learning curve; time to spend in tutorial missions
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Sub Sim Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and deep simulation of Cold War submarine combat
    - Playstyle: Methodical, patient, uses historical knowledge, compares to classic sims
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Red Storm Rising; Silent Hunter 3
  - Casual Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Accessible entry into submarine simulation without overwhelming complexity
    - Playstyle: Plays on easy settings, learns gradually, enjoys the theme without deep mechanics
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual simmer
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Tactical Strategy Thinker (buy)
    - Motivation: Intellectual challenge and rewarding mastery of strategy
    - Playstyle: Methodical, patient, uses tactics, plays on higher difficulty
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Sale Hunter (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Getting good value for money, waiting for discounts
    - Playstyle: Price-sensitive, waits for sales, compares cost to content
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Game is well made and fun (weight 0.53): 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 (weight 0.32): 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 (weight 0.18): 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 (weight 0.18): 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 (weight 0.18): 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.
- Engaging and immersive (weight 0.14): The game holds players' attention for hours, with addictive potential and immersive gameplay. It keeps players engaged through its dynamic encounters and compelling mechanics.

Common complaints:
- Not a true submarine simulator (weight 0.23): 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 (weight 0.21): 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 (weight 0.18): 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 (weight 0.18): 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 (weight 0.09): The game lacks a multiplayer mode, which is a significant omission for players who expect online features. This limits replayability and social interaction.

Gameplay feedback:
- Cold War submarine simulator (weight 0.81): 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 (weight 0.48): 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 (weight 0.32): 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 (weight 0.31): 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 (weight 0.29): 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.
- Torpedo and missile combat (weight 0.26): Gameplay heavily involves engaging enemy submarines and ships using torpedoes, rockets, and missiles. Players must manage weapon systems and firing solutions to succeed in combat.
- Tutorials and learning curve (weight 0.22): The game includes tutorials and has a steep learning curve, requiring players to learn naval jargon and mechanics. This helps newcomers but may be challenging for some.
- Sonar and acoustic modeling (weight 0.21): The game models realistic sonar mechanics, including active and passive arrays, towed arrays, shadow zones, and thermal layers. Sound propagation through water is realistically simulated, affecting detection and tactics.
- Variety of submarine classes (weight 0.15): The game includes multiple submarine classes, such as the Seawolf, Los Angeles (VLS), and Soviet Alfa-class, each with unique characteristics. This variety adds depth to gameplay.
- Difficulty options (weight 0.13): The game offers multiple difficulty levels, including an easy mode and an elite difficulty, catering to both casual and hardcore players. It is easy to learn but hard to master.
- Mission variety (weight 0.12): The game includes various mission types, such as hunting infiltrating submarines, firing TLAMs at ports, intercepting hostiles, and delivering SEALs. This provides diverse objectives and scenarios.
- Mod support adds content (weight 0.11): The Dotmod mod significantly expands the game by adding playable surface vessels, additional submarine classes (Soviet, British, Chinese), and more campaigns, enhancing replayability.

Performance notes:
- Performance is smooth and optimized (weight 0.12): 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 (weight 0.05): 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.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale (weight 0.44): Many reviewers advise purchasing the game at a discount, suggesting that the full price may not be justified.
- Recommended for submarine enthusiasts (weight 0.38): 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 (weight 0.36): Reviewers recommend installing mods like Epic Mod, DotMod, and Playable Subs Mod to expand content and improve gameplay.
- Good for newcomers to sub sims (weight 0.22): 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 (weight 0.15): Some reviewers give the game perfect scores and strong recommendations, indicating high satisfaction.
- Not for hardcore simmers (weight 0.14): Some reviewers note that the game may not satisfy hardcore simulation enthusiasts due to its simplified mechanics.
- Watch YouTube guides (weight 0.13): Several reviewers recommend watching YouTube content from Jive Turkey and others to learn the game and improve skills.

Other player notes:
- Frequent comparisons to Red Storm Rising (weight 0.41): 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 (weight 0.41): 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 (weight 0.37): 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 (weight 0.18): 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 (weight 0.11): 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.
- Moderate PC requirements (weight 0.07): The game requires only an average PC, making it accessible to a wide range of players. This is a positive point for those with less powerful hardware.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players are frustrated by the game's steep learning curve, lack of tutorials, and inconsistent difficulty, which makes missions feel unfair and unpolished. The AI is perceived as cheating with pinpoint accuracy and impossible torpedo evasion, while the absence of allied units and inability to save during missions compound the sense of helplessness. Numerous bugs and a poorly designed campaign further undermine the experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.13): Players derive satisfaction from mastering the game's mechanics, such as evading torpedoes and executing successful attacks, which becomes rewarding after overcoming the initial difficulty. The game's realistic simulation, detailed ship models, and dynamic campaigns provide a fulfilling experience, especially when sinking entire enemy fleets or completing challenging missions. The sense of achievement from doing everything right is a key driver of this emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.12): Players enjoy the game for its tense combat, realistic submarine warfare, and the thrill of using various weapons and tactics. The game's depth, mod support, and engaging missions keep players coming back, with many praising the graphics, sound effects, and the overall atmosphere. The learning curve is seen as part of the fun, leading to a rewarding experience once mastered.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): The game generates excitement through its intense, nail-biting combat scenarios, such as torpedo evasion and missile launches, which keep players on the edge of their seats. The transition from slow-paced strategy to high-stakes action, along with the immersive crew voices and realistic sound effects, creates a thrilling experience. Anticipation for new content and the game's addictive replay value also contribute to this emotion.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): Players are disappointed by the game's lack of content, missing features, and the developers' abandonment, which leaves many bugs unfixed and the game feeling incomplete. The absence of certain submarine classes, multiplayer mode, and Chinese language support, along with a short campaign and lack of depth, detract from the overall experience. The high price tag for the limited content exacerbates the disappointment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's balance of realism and gameplay, the detailed acoustic model, and the engaging campaign system with responsive crew voices. The modding community, particularly the Dotmod, has revitalized the game by adding playable surface vessels and more campaigns, enhancing its longevity. The game's ability to meet the high standards of submarine enthusiasts and its easy-to-learn nature are also valued.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the game for being one of the best submarine simulators, with realistic graphics, atmosphere, and gameplay that stand the test of time. The effort and detail put into the game are recognized, making it a benchmark in the genre. Its difficulty and realism are praised, cementing its status as a classic.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): The game evokes nostalgia by reminding players of classic submarine games like Red Storm Rising and Sub Command, with similar gameplay principles and settings. For former submariners, it brings back good memories, and for others, it fills the void left by those older titles. The updated version of Red Storm Rising is particularly appreciated by those who played it in their youth.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Players approve of the game, especially when enhanced with the DOT MOD, which transforms it into one of the best submarine games. The game's replayability, active modding scene, and realistic representation are highlighted, with many giving it high ratings. The positive reception across categories indicates overall satisfaction.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game, considering it a must-have for submarine enthusiasts, especially with the DOT Mod that balances arcade and realism. The Playable Subs Mod adds new submarine classes, enhancing the experience, and the game's depth keeps players engaged for hundreds of hours. The combination of fun and realism generates strong enthusiasm.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are surprised by how fun the game is, exceeding expectations with its immersive gameplay and the ability to sink enemy fleets even without full understanding. The positive reviews and the game's ability to keep players engaged are also unexpected. This surprise contributes to a positive overall impression.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in the game's quirks and humorous situations, such as sinking half an enemy fleet while clueless, or the absurdity of being outnumbered and destroyed. The game's oddities and the humorous descriptions of events provide entertainment beyond the serious simulation aspects.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players express gratitude for the release of a long-awaited Japanese language mod, the inclusion of PLA warships, and even a whale saving the player's life in-game. These elements show appreciation for the developers' efforts and the community's contributions, enhancing the overall experience.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): Players find the game relaxing due to its simplicity and the ability to unwind with it, despite its complex simulation aspects. The game's chill and straightforward nature provides a calming experience, making it a good choice for casual play.
- Tension (weight 0.01): The game creates tension through intense combat scenarios, such as multiple homing torpedoes incoming and the need to evade detection while approaching enemy convoys. The strategic maneuvering and the risk of being detected by silent diesel subs add to the suspense, making the gameplay gripping.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game for being a spiritual successor to Red Storm Rising, with an excellent soundtrack and immersive sound effects that enhance the experience. The thrill of hearing a torpedo hit an enemy submarine and watching it blow up is particularly cherished, evoking strong positive emotions.
- Humor (weight 0.01): Players find humor in the absurd situations that occur in the game, such as crashing into the sea floor and the navy's reaction, or a whale taking a torpedo. These unexpected and ridiculous events provide comic relief and are a source of amusement.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the game's quality, its appeal to a broader audience, and its development into an in-depth tactical simulator. The 3D view of events on the 2D map is particularly noteworthy, enhancing the overall experience and showcasing the game's depth.
- Stress (weight 0.01): The game induces stress through its underwater experience, which is inherently tense, and the constant threat of multiple torpedoes and the need for damage control. The high-stakes nature of submarine combat creates a stressful but engaging atmosphere.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Players feel relief when manual proportional guidance saves a slow wire-guided torpedo, and when all fears about the game's release are dispelled. These moments of success and reassurance provide a sense of relief amidst the challenges.}