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It is an interesting observation that a number of prominent software companies owe their success to finding what they are good at and then sticking to it.

A perfect example of this is Infocom who only met with financial difficulties when they tried, unsuccessfully, to diversify into the business software market. Another company that has stuck to its guns (in more ways than one) is Microprose, founded by ex-pilot Bill Stealey. Stealey, who quickly surrounded himself with others who shared his passion for flying, gradually built Microprose into the State's leading producer of home micro simulations with such titles as F-15 Strike Eagle and Gunship.

The company's success lay in the authenticity of their simulations that came equally from the enthusiasm of the programmers and the exhaustive research that went into each project.

It wasn't long before these qualities were applied to other forms of simulation resulting in Decision In The Desert, the excellent Kennedy Approach and, more recently, Silent Service.

Silent Service puts you in charge of the American World War II submarine on patrol in the Pacific. The primary function of the American Secret Service in WWII was to confront the Japanese navy in their own waters and to neutralise the Japanese Merchant fleet. As a submarine commander, you will be evaluated based on the number and types of ship you sink.

The battle stations are the periscope, bridge, instruments and gauges, maps and charts, and damage reports. Each is a separate well designed screen with real-time animation where necessary. At the bottom of most battle station screens there are also a number of icons giving you control over rudders, depth, periscope up/down and rotate, throttle, and time scale which lets you spend up the action to a maximum of 32 times normal real-time.

A well illustrated and comprehensive manual, containing much historical and background data, completes this professionally designed simulation which captures the tension and claustrophobia that must have been experienced by submarine officers during the war.