Secret Weapons Over Normandy E3 2003 Preshow Report

In 1991, LucasArts released the combat flight simulation Secrets of the Luftwaffe, where you could pilot experimental German aircraft in some of the most dangerous missions of World War II. Now, Totally Games, a new development house founded by Lawrence Holland, the creator of Secrets of the Luftwaffe as well as the classic X-Wing, is working on a follow-up. Titled Secret Weapons Over Normandy, this sequel has you dog fighting as a member of a secret group of Allied pilots in battles across Europe, the Eastern Front, North Africa, China-Burma-India, and the Pacific Theater, including such famous engagements as the Battle of Britain, D-Day, and the Battle of Midway.

The story-drive single-player game in Secret Weapons Over Normandy will span a four year period during World War II and will have you piloting more than 20 different Allied, Japanese, and German aircraft from that time period. Planes known to be in the game include the P-38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang, the Me 162 Komet rocket plane, the Me 262 turbo jet fighter, and the massive B-17 Flying Fortress. There are scarce details about the specific gameplay in Secret Weapons Over Normandy, but the developer has stated its intentions to try and create an experience that will appeal to fans of realistic combat flight simulations as well as players looking for something more accessible. LucasArts has also stated that the game will feature voice work by Will Lyman, the narrator of the PBS series Frontline, and Japanese actor Mako, who’s best known as the star of the WWII film Tora! Tora! Tora!.

Considering the high quality combat flight simulations that creator Lawrence Holland has been previously associated with, expectations on Secret Weapons Over Normandy are high. The game is currently scheduled for a Q4 release on the PC, as well as the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles.