I loved it, better than crimson skies, even without planes that fire tesla bolts, fire balls and mini scatter rockets.
when you start the game though, do yourself the biggest favor you could in this situation and change the view to 1st person view (in the cockpit) sure at the start when your not used of it, it might suck, and you might take off on the 1st level, turn, then run straight into the ground and blow up, what, why are you looking at me funny? but thats what "Training" is for, you know? the thing you did to get into the airforce, ring any bells, no i went onto the missions before i did training, big mistake, do training 1st.
anyway 1st person will, in my humble opinion greatly increase the enjoyment and realism in the short and long term....experience, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the other views but 1st person is just...well, just plain better.
as for the flight control it will take a good 30-60 minutes to fully "Master" the controls, i believe the control is very realistic, but as said in another review you can control the plain perfect if your about to blow up and are on fire, but, pretty much who gives a...........ship in my opinion, when the controls are otherwise very realistic, or at least realistic feeling.
before i continue, something has come to my mind, why have i rated this better than, oblivion and other games that are obviously better, well the simple answer is, when i rate games i rate games to other games like it, like for example i would compare it to oblivion where i would give this games rating would for me go down, instead i would rate it compared to other plane or WWII games like crimson skies, or possibly even call of duty, so if i rate this which i did 9.9 and oblivion say for example 9.0 it doesnt mean i like this game better then another game I've rated higher
know that ive cleared that up, lets get on with it. (finally you say)
this game is extra impressive for the huge array of flyable and upgradeable planes that are unlockable threw singleplayer, there is 36, though i havent even unlocked all the planes and it seems like much more already (probably because of the upgrades) there are tons of planes from old wooden pre-war planes to fighter planes to dive bombers to massive bombers and even a prototype jet (there are possibly more jets i havent unlocked, there is defiantly one more)
throughout the single player missions you will be awarded upgrade points at the end of each level, the amount in decided by difficulty settings and you can get more through secondary/optional missions throughout the missions. most planes can be upgrades at least 2-3 times but some only once or not at all, the procedure is somewhat like crimson skies upgrade system but much better. when you up grade a plane its colours changes, it gets a stronger version of its weapons and possibly may carry missile and bombs
dogfights are cool though can be frustrating trying to out-turn, out-run or even sometime hit the japanese planes, because in maneuverability, face it, there planes are just plain better. but its in the firepower the american planes even the odds up, the japanese planes weapons barely scratch the paint in comparison to the american weaponry, which is so much stronger.
so in all the game is a must have for all aeroplanes game fans like yours truly and is even great fun for those who maybe arent so keen
The good: lots of planes to choose from with wide varieties, long campaign, fun and interesting campaign, realistic
The bad: some hard levels that will get you throwing you controller across the room at the TV (persistence pays off) not the best multiplayer
please post me what you think of this review