Air Power takes place in an alternate world where airships have become bastions of power. 1930's- style fighter planes are launched from these aerial leviathans in a battle for total air supremacy. As one of four dukes of Karanthia, the game's fictional setting, you must crush your opponents in order to become the supreme emperor.
Although the plot sounds interesting, this title's dedication to mediocrity dooms it to failure. The graphics are lackluster and plain, and unless you're playing the game in SVGA mode, they're blocky as well. Sound effects are average at best—although the soundtrack, which unfortunately plays only during screen selections, is one of the game's strongest points. The radio chat option, which allows you to hear what the other pilots are saying, is entertaining for a few minutes, but quickly loses its appeal when you realize that the same comments are being repeated over and over.
Flight dynamics are awkward and sluggish. No matter how long you practice, your plane continues to rock from side to side. As you fight the controls, enemy planes are busy circling your craft, occasionally letting loose bursts of machine gun fire. It's no fun being someone else's target practice. This aircraft shimmy comes back into play as you try to take aim on ground targets with your rockets. Imagine trying to play darts while standing on a jackhammer and you'll have a pretty good idea of what I'm getting at.Air Power may be the first ever airship combat game, but it's not the first good game idea to be applied badly. In the final analysis, the game is nothing more than an another title waiting for its turn in the bargain bin.
