I say old chap!
If the hardcore World War I flight simulators like Wings of Glory are a bit too much for you, but you still want to go for period flying action, more akin to Wings, then this little known game might be what you're looking for. It's essentially a stripped down combat sim that gives you most of the features of other more complex games but which focuses on action and the thrill of flying more than out and out realism. It's not exactly a classic, but it's still a fun way to get some historical kicks, if a little lacking in variety. There are three campaigns here, set in France, Belgium and Africa at various parts of the war, and as usual, you're presented with a number of missions to fly and complete. This is where the game falters a little, as the missions are quite samey and generally just require you to blow up a certain amount of enemy craft, but some of them do throw in ground-based targets as well. There are several different planes to try out, including the legendary Sopwith Camel and Bristol Scout, which should please history buffs. As far as accessible combat simulators go, this one isn't bad stuff. It's pretty easy to get into, thanks to the simplified controls which will allow you to get flying and shooting right from the start, while the sense of period and history is decent enough, thanks to the style and presentation. The visuals are also solid, with a good level of detail and speed and some nice models. The action isn't overly complex but that's rather the point, making this a simple but enjoyable WWI experience.
