Gamespot may not like the PC version of this game, but it soars on the Macintosh
The flight model is very sophisticated and takes hundreds of hours to master. Console games have their place, and there're some fantastic ones out there--but a true flight sim needs all the power and key strokes a desk top computer can offer.
Then there's the Mission Editor. Man, you can come up with any scenario you want. You can set all other planes, choppers, bombers, ground forces ,anti aircraft gunnery, surface to air missiles and just about every thing you want to exacting specifications. This game makes my Top Gun list for variety in a combat sim.
And let's not forget about head-to-head play. In the days before everyone had dsl or cable, we'd haul our computers over to each others' houses and hook up manually. Live pilots! Woo-hoo! Take THAT Red Baron!
Gameplay: Flawlessly smooth. I don't remember a crash (computer crash that is--I've augered the plane in about a thousand times).
There are two down sides to this game and are the reasons I didn't give it a higher rating. The first is minor and the second is significant:
First: Compared to what's out there now, graphically ol' Hornet's just not looking as razor sharp as say, Falcon 4.0 or Battle of Britain. Minor. Second: In my first graph I said I've owned every up-grade--that's not true. I could not bring myself to give them money for their latest installment, "Operation Iraqi Freedom." I consider it to be a tip of the hat to U.S. jingoism and a thinly veiled attempt at propaganda. Significant.
Outside of that she's cherry.
I strongly recomend the the Mac version and a decent multi-button programmable flight stick.
Hornet One's bingo, RTB....