Nintendo released a new free-to-play game, which is a sequel to a previous game they released. Steel Diver: Sub Wars is a military submarine game where you can play single task-based missions, or you can jump online and play a multiplayer death-match style game … with subs.
The first game in the series, released back in 2011, was a side-scrolling game where you navigated your sub around using touch screen controls. This time around the game is fully 3D and it is very fun.
The strategic first-person shooter is the successor to Steel Diver. It features more tactical action game play than typical shooters, as players are asked to navigate heavy-duty submarines while staying one step ahead of their enemies. Get yourself accustomed to the system in the quick tutorial and the complicated controls are fleshed out and turn out not to be that tough. With a little practice navigating around the sea, rising and lowering and steering with the circle-pad while moving forward and back with the (X) and (B) buttons. There are two different torpedo types with homing missiles and straight-shooting missiles. The homing type are limited of course so they should be used with care. Though when you destroy an enemy sub they will sometimes drop a missile or repair pack to let you stock back up.
There are two single-player mission packed in the free version, “Navigate the Rings” where you can hone your piloting skills by navigating a series of underwater rings and “Sink the Convoy” where you will hunt down and sink all the ships in the area. In this one you will find that your sub can move much more quickly through the water while you are on the surface, but watch out for bombers or else you might get a nasty surprise from above. As well the battleships which you are trying to sink can also attack you while you are surfaced.
Other missions, only available in the premium version, include “Eliminate the Radar Base” where you must fight through a gauntlet of threats to take out an enemy radar installation, “Call in the Air Strike” where you transmit coded messages to call in air strikes, “Undersea Nemesis” which features a new class of enemy sub has you must find and sink and “Final Showdown” where you are tasked to sink the Super Battleship, and give your compatriots naval superiority in the conflict.
The game comes packed with eighteen different subs which you can customize, though only two are available in the free version. You can unlock the rest by purchasing the full game for $9.99 in the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Each sub comes with a different set of stats. Some may be quick in the water but have a sluggish turn. Others may have the capacity for holding a large number of torpedoes but aren’t so quick through the drink. Each different sub can hold a different number of crew members as well. And the crew can make all the difference.
Each member of the crew you can choose have different stats as well. They will raise one stat while also lowering another, so selecting the right combination of crew could be essential to giving you an edge in the water. For example you can choose a sub that has great speed and choose a crewmember who, although might lower that stat slightly, will also boost another pivitol stat.
The crew aren’t all available right from the start either. Nope, you’ll have to rescue them all to add them to your roster and assign them to your sub. You can also customize the paint job and look of your sub as well from the garage.
Multiplayer is also great fun. There’s nothing quite like hunting out and blasting your opponents to victory. You can compete in local four-on-four team sub battles and go online to battle submariners from around the world. Recruit three comrades or go it alone with computer-controlled teammates, then let the underwater fireworks begin. You can use morse code to communicate with your teammates as well.
Overall Steel Diver: Sub Wars is a fun introduction to the free-to-play market for Nintendo on the 3DS. Hopefully there is a lot more of this in store from the company as they have a huge history and legacy to work with. This game is fun in of itself, even if you only pick up the free version. But if you want a lot more customization and more of the level variety, the premium package is worth the buy.
