Excellent WWII-themed flying sim
As World War 2 flying sims go, this has to be one of the best, with few other games rivalling it in terms of depth and detail. Upon firing up the game, you'll be greeted by a ton of options, including the option to fly single missions, take part in a career mode or even take on the role of admiral controlling the battle from an aircraft carrier. However, career mode is where most gamers will head, and is where you'll participate in series of campaign-based missions, with excitement added by the way in which they adapt to your own actions, similar to Longbow 2. Missions, in both campaign and single mission mode, are varied and include flying escort duties, torpedoing ships or bombing bases, all of which offer their own unique challenges and thrills. The game represents the various planes well enough, with realistic handling which feels very different according to what you are currently flying and while there is a reasonable amount of detail, the graphics do look understandably dated. Terrain in particular looks pretty bad, with some rough textures and ugly design. Enemy AI also poses a few problems, being occasionally erratic, but on the whole it remains pretty challenging. For history buffs and flight sim fans alike this is a great experience. It's highly accessible but detailed and complex enough to keep veterans happy, with plenty of missions and options to keep you playing. Check out the sequel, European Air War, which simulates the Battle of Britain.
