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The latest simulation from MicroProse is a departure from the normal flight simulator. Instead of tearing across the skies you are in control of a US WWII submarine in the South Pacific. Its author Sid Meier was responsible for the highly rated F-15 Strike Eagle.

Like all worthwhile simulations you'd better sit down with the manual for half an hour before you get stuck into the game or you won't know your angle or box from your elbow.

On loading, you are offered the choice of three scenarios. You can plunge right in and taste immediate action with Torpedo/Gunnery Practice on a group of ships moored in a harbour, or Convoy Action which allows you to select action from several possible convoy attacks (surface/day, surface/night for example).

Sooner or later you'll get bored with cutting corners and want to take on a full-scale War Patrol. The first obstacle to overcome is an identification test in which you have to pick out a certain type of Japanese boat using the manual. It's a bit of a pointless exercise and an irritant to getting stuck in.

Now choose the reality levels for the game. These are extra difficulty factors which you can choose to incorporate into the game. They're all there to add to the credibility of the scenario, allowing you to include a certain number of dud torpedoes (a common problem), expert destroyer escorts, limited visibility or a zig-zagging convoy, for example.

With your choice made, you then have a mammoth pause while the game loads some more. Finally you're ready to ship out and sink some boats. A large map of the Pacific flashes up and you go through the rather tedious business of manoeuvring a little dot into a convoy zone. Finally, when the screen turns red, you get to the real nitty gritty.

The screen you see is that of the conning tower - inhabited by a bearded seaman with a pair of flared trousers. From here you can select the rest of the submarine's working screens. There's the bridge (only available when you're surfaced), periscope damage screen and instruments. You'll find it a lot easier just hitting the functin keys to work your way round these.

Most of the interesting action is going to take place through the periscope. Beneath the binocular-shaped view of the sea (and ships if you're lucky) you get the Torpedo Data Computer which gives you valuable information on target range, speed, angle, and course - all vital if you're going to sink anything.

This is where it starts getting complicated. So far, it's been press a few keys and read carefully, now you've actually got to sink something and I don't mind telling you (as long as you don't spread it around) I struggled a bit here. I couldn't get to grips with all the angle on-bow stuff. It was all very well when the convoy steamed kindly straight past you like ducks, but when they started to turn away or behave at all ungentlemanly I floundered. I reckon a geometry qualification could well put you in good stead here.

Don't expect anything like those convoy patrol games that used to be around in the arcades long before space invaders arrived. In a way I found that a problem because the test of these simulations I feel is how big a kick you get from destroying the enemy. In the flight sims it's great to see the opposition go up in a puff of smoke. Here the graphics don't give you anything like that. The sound of a distant explosion and the disappearance of a ship off the horizon is about all you get - no flames, no smoke.

Graphically the game is neat and varied with all those different screens to switch through though I'm not sure why you get the instruments panel - all the data you need is displayed elsewhere. Sound is based around effects such as pings and a nice creaking noise when you travel too deep.

But I never felt like I wanted to play Silent Service until the early hours. This one's for diehard sim enthusiasts only.