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Reviewer:
Baldric
Review Date: 28/07/2009
Score: 92%
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I
love this game. I've messed around with various flight sims
since the original Microsoft Flight sim waaaay back in 1986/87.
From props to jets to props, and spending a ton of hours mucking
about in games like IL2, and Pacific Fighters. I'm not a grognard
or uber sim buff, but I do know a good flight sim when I 'fly'
one. 'Rise of Flight' is serious fun.
I'll
start off by saying there are few bumps in this game, such
as some players having trouble playing MP, others complaining
that the campaigns aren't immersive enough. Neoqb has already
released one small patch and currently are working on a second
that should have something in it for everyone. These guys
are responsive, and released two extra aircraft for players
to utilize due to some unclear packaging (translation between
Russian and English) for free. Minor glitches aside, the games
release was pretty smooth, and for me, playable from the word
go.
This
game has, truly, captured a uniquely refreshing flight model
in an era of the beginnings of aircombat. The modelled aircraft
are state-of-the art in simulation, each seem as lovingly
handcrafted as their forebearers. You can almost smell the
canvas dope and castor oil. Each is unique in handling, and
an absolute joy to 'fly'. All thats missing is a leather helmet,
goggles, and a scarf. Best of all, you truly get a sense of
the courage of these young men, taking on something unheard
of a mere ten years prior to outbreak of hostilities, living
and dying in these 'primitive' machines. Amazing courage.
The
game itself is a vast sandbox whose potential will slowly
be realised over the coming months. The dynamic campaigns
are interesting, but only show you the potential of the game.
There is so much there for mission makers and campaign scripters.
The Single Player missions, and SP campaign setup is easy,
and with lots of selectable options to tailor the game to
your tastes, from arcade to ultra serious (ie., setting magnetos
before firing up the engine...). The training missions are
helpful in reintroducing slower flight, higher manueverability
dogfighting to those of us used to the speed of IL2's WWII
airfighting, or the vast distance of modern jet engagements.
Here, in RoF, 'Dicta Boelcke' reigns supreme.
Multiplayer
is a lot of fun. I have played quite a bit of LAN, both co-op
PvE and co-op PvP. Setting up a personal server is easy-peasy,
but I haven't delved into the area of dedi-boxes yet although
I can see the HUGE potential for dedi-boxes. The scope for
player formed squadrons and such is big as well...I'm almost
of the oppinion that this game could be successful as an MMO...just
think of persistent map, squadrons taking to the skies on
patrol, just for PvP, squadrons missioning together against
enemy airbases and other targets...the mind almost boggles.
Anyway,
thats how I'm seeing this game, well worth the money and the
extras (I picked up a Track IR to go along with the game).
Chocs away!
