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Boy, have I got
mixed feelings about this game. After installing it and
uninstalling it once, the game apparently decided to stop
working. The CD’s auto-run program no longer allowed an
installation of  the
game, and no other options worked (Play, Uninstall), except
for the help option (which was ironically no help at all), and
the exit option. Frustrated, I put the latter to good use. I
don’t know whether this would happen on more than one
computer, but since I apparently couldn’t fix it, and I
still had a looming deadline (thanks a lot, Steve) I decided
not to explore the massive bug further.
Now then, F-15
comes with two manuals, a thin casual play guide for the gamer
not completely obsessed with realism, and a gargantuan expert
fly manual, fully equipped with a hellish learning curve. [You
mean there are games that don't come with this as standard
equipment?-Ed.] There is a reason, however, for this
unholy book. The level of detail is extraordinary. There are
several multi-function displays each capable of several
functions, split between you and your weapons systems
operator. At times, I felt that flying an actual
F-15 would have been easier. This probably isn’t the best
game for "newbies" to start off on.
And for all
that you learn, you can only apply it to two campaigns (A
Desert Storm campaign set in Iraq, and a future Iran
campaign), and fifteen single missions.
A multi-player
option is also available, but was a let down, since the only
type of game is a co-op dogfight. I mean, the section in the
manual about multi-player is only 11 pages long, not much when
compared to the 300+ page manual. F-15 also comes with a
mission builder, which you will be using liberally. Also
included is the reference section, a commonly found accessory.
Now it may seem
like I’m bashing the game, and don’t think I don’t like
to, but the game also has several high points. The graphics
for example were of  high
quality. I cannot express how accurate the detail are in this
game, namely the cockpit, the 3D flight models, and the
mindless chatter you hear, much of which is of no relevance to
your mission. I also found that the AI is a significant
improvement over Jane’s USAF, which is interesting since
USAF was released after F-15. Hmmm…
There really
isn’t that much to say, but if you are a veteran flight
simmer, you understand what I’m talking about. I think
you’ll enjoy this game, despite its flaws. The pros outweigh
the cons (of course they do, they eat doughnuts while the cons
work out).
-Salil Tamhane |
Learning Curve: 3-4 hours
All scores are
out of ten possible points.
Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 9
Replayability: 8
Multi-player: 6
Player Compatibility: 7
-Highs-
Graphics, Mission
Builder, Variety of Weapons
-Lows-
Thick Manual, Steep
Learning Curve, Only Two Campaigns, Massive Bug
-Bottom Line-
Worth a look if you're a
hard-core flight simulator enthusiast. If you're a newbie, you
might do better with games that are NOT by Jane's.
74%
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