|
I am holding in my
hand a BETA copy of Combat Flight Simulator II. Well,
actually, it's over on the desk. But that doesn't matter. What
does matter is that I've played it and I am highly impressed
with what will undoubtedly be an excellent sequel to Combat
Flight Simulator: WWII Pacific Theater.
This game looks
excellent so far, with historical recreations of many famous
air battles between 1942 and 1944. The controls handle very
well and Microsoft has added seven new playable aircraft to be
used for both the Americans and Japanese:
-
Mitsubishi
A6M2 Reisen
-
Mitsubisih
A6M5 Reisen
-
Kawanishi
N1K2-J Shiden
-
Lockheed P-38F
Lightning
-
Vought F4U-1A
Corsair
-
Grumman F4F-4
Wildcat
-
Grumman F6F-3
Hellcat
Yes, I'm drooling.
I had to buy myself a new keyboard after playing this game.
I'd advise you to put a bib on before continuing to read this
preview.
This new release
will include advanced aircraft details, down to accurately
modeled wear-and-tear on the aircraft skins and the rivet
count; increased damage effects, making damage to your
aircraft result in a variety of situations that can complicate
the success of your mission; a new virtual cockpit, imitating
one of Jane's features that has never really been duplicated
well, but this might be the first time; a mission builder for
advanced players; a real Landing Signal Officer on the
aircraft carrier to help you during takeoff and landing; and
wingmen and squadron mates who will help you in the completion
of your missions as well as keeping an eye on your six.
The four main
flight modes are free flight, quick combat, single missions,
and campaigns. In free flight, you can fly around much as in
Microsoft Flight Simulator, experimenting with aircraft
handling and flight dynamics. In quick combat, you can jump
right into the action without a set objective, a good thing
for someone who craves bloodlust like yours truly.
Single missions,
of course, are quite self-explanatory. They are stand-alone
missions with objectives to accomplish, and make up campaigns,
the other mode of play. Campaigns allow you to fly for either
the Japanese or United States with a single pilot, earning
promotions, awards, and medals from your respective
government.
I can tell you
that if this is any indication of a final product, then I
eagerly await playing the full version before it hits the
shelves. Look for the exclusive review soon and the game in a
store near you, from VirtualAviation.Com!
-Stephen Ryan |
