Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7959 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Lighthouse Interactive
• Released on: 2006-06-23
• Platform: Windows XP

Manufacturer's Description
You've mastered trains and planes, now take to the seas! Ship Simulator 2006 is a revolutionary new simulation game that puts players at the helm of some of the most varied and detailed ships to be found at sea, where they will need to perform a multitude of tasks, all set within a stunning 3D environment. Players will take control of a wide array of ship types, from massive cargo ships to speedboats, yachts, water taxis and even the mighty Titanic. The waters you sail are also as varied as the ships, from the biggest harbours in the world, such as Rotterdam and Hamburg, to the calm aqua marine waters of the Thai Phi Phi Islands. Gamers will experience how challenging it is to steer the Titanic through shallow water, or just how it feels to navigate a cargo tanker or tug boat - including how diverse the controls are.

Customer Reviews

Addictive and real fun
I tried the game for the first time several weeks ago and have not been able to stop playing since then. The variety in 3D environments and the extensive number of mission for different skill levels makes every game exiting and fun. Every mission is a new challenge. As a mariner I find the ship dynamics very realistic and can recommend to everyone who in not able to get out on a real ship to play: This is the next best thing!!

Everything I expected and more.
I bought this simulator a while ago and I think it's really great.

The game has nine different ship types with different controls and very realistic behaviour. It will take you at least 20 hours just to finish the 40 available missions and then there's the mission editor that gives you all the tools needed to make your own missions.

What's especially great about this simulator is navigating the big ships (like the Titanic) in narrow and crowded harbours.
If it wasn't hard enough to moore a ship like the titanic, the other traffic sailing up and down the river will make your job even more difficult.

A Very Good Attempt!
Having experienced boats and ships in my time I was pleased to see someone making an attempt at a ship simulator.
Being a bit of a sim "anorak", MS Train Sim and other similar games appeal. MS Train Sim for me is generally a dissapointment as there is not much to do other than drive a train from a to b.

Ship Simulator does fall generally into the same category, although there has to be more of an element of skill to transverse often very busy waterways.

Numerous challenges are offered from a small powerboat up to the Titanic, each slightly different. The boats handle realistically and the scenery is very good.

Some issues though. Even with careful navigation other shipping has a mind of its own. The Tiatnic is not very manoeverable, which is fine, as I guess its true to its original design. But when at a complete stop do smaller yachts and speedboats just crash into it! This then results in damage costs which in turn mean you fail that scenario. Somewhat a pain when you then have to spend another 3/4 hour getting back to where you were (only for it to happen again).

The game does allow you to build your owen scenario's and this can be done relatively easily, which provides flexibility in producing new challenges, although this is currenly limited to three venues.

I think I would generally give it three stars as a game, but would like to thank Lighthouse for making a very good attempt at a sim, which I believe could be developed further into something bigger, with more ports / venues, different ships (e.g. modern cruise ships) and adding additional challenges.

If you like playing in the water with boats, give it a go - its fun!