Beautiful game albeit a weak storyline and unauthentic simulation of dogfighting.
Graphics- This game contains very good graphics; the planes look like their real counterparts and the backdrop is gorgeous.
Sound- The sound is slightly corny, and the sounds of rockets and machine guns don't really give of the vibe of realism, however, it is not distracting and the graphics really make up for the lack of auditory realism. I would say the music is above average, nothing memorable, but nothing is hard on the ears either.
Gameplay- As previously stated, the dogfighting in this game is not very authentic. Throughout the game, you never really learn any of the tricks or maneuvers to really make this game realistic, and your tactics tend to rely on slowing the airplane till it's close to stalling to get the angle for a lock-on. The AI for your opponents tends to stress fast flight and overlong angles, which again, screams of unrealism. Another issue with the gameplay is the lack of authenticity when it comes to landing your aircraft, in reality, it isn't that easy. With the negatives aside, even without the realistic cpu tactics, the game offers plenty of fun. The missions are long, graphically gorgeous, and most importantly, fun.
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Story- This, I have a huge problem with. The story is not all that inclusive with your actions in the game, and because of this, I never really felt any sympathy or joy with any of the characters. While true, some of your bombing raids correlate with the plot, since you don't control any of the characters, it's just feels like an empty shell of a storyline. I think it would be beneficial for the story to actually correlate with you, the pilot.
If you are looking for a enjoyable air plane game, this is it. However, if you are looking for realism and an engaging plot line, it's best look elsewhere.