European Air War

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Review: European Air War

Evocative, thematic, atmospheric. These are just a few of the adjectives I could use to describe European Air War, the latest WWII fighter sim from MicroProse. Immersive is probably the best description, however, because this is one game that never loses sight of the fact that no matter how technically proficient a combat-flight sim might be, its primary purpose is to entertain. Not only does EAW accomplish this with style and substance, it even manages to suspend time itself by drawing you so irretrievably into the massive aerial conflict over Europe between 1940 and 1945, clocks and calendars will probably cease to exist while you're playing it (or at least until four in the morning when you finally manage to drag your energy-depleted carcass off to bed).

One of EAW's most remarkable features is the sheer number of planes it puts into the air. Apart from the game's comprehensive collection of 20 flyable aircraft, the European skies can be filled with upwards of 256 AI-controlled fighters and bombers. This completely elevates the feel and scope of simulated aerial warfare to a level that few other sims can match. An interception mission against an inbound bombing fleet is likely to involve massive numbers of planes knife-fighting each other in a complex tactical dance, where escorting fighters peel off to try and draw you away from their bombers while your wingmen call out frantically on the radio for help (in proper German with subtitles, if you've chosen to fly for the Fatherland). Fully scalable to suit your skill level, the game's enemy and friendly AI is absolutely top-notch.

Likewise, the individual flight models are quite challenging and authentic. Torque effects during takeoffs could stand to be improved, and belly landings aren't permitted (damn!), but just about everything else-from weight and drag effects, speed bleeding, stalls, and spins-is very well implemented.

With the game's extensive single-mission options and superb 256-page manual, it won't take long before most digital pilots are ready to take on one of EAW's fully dynamic campaigns. Players can opt to fly for USAAF, RAF, or Luftwaffe squadrons as they strive for medals and promotions in either the Battle of Britain or the European mainland war. MicroProse has done a marvelous job of injecting some high entertainment value into each of these scenarios (although the mission rating system can be quite unfair at times when returning from some of the quieter flights). Free multiplay support on the Internet Gaming Zone is still experiencing some warping and disconnect problems, but stand back: once it gets up to speed, it's gonna be an incredible ride that should give the dedicated online WWII fighters a real run for their money.

Glide and Direct3D acceleration are supported, but graphically, the game is just a notch or two below some we've seen in the past year. There are no visible moving control surfaces on the aircraft, the in-flight maps can't be zoomed in (making them almost useless), and the scenery, while striking, has a hazy pastel watercolor look about it. As can be seen from the screenshots on this page, however, the level of detail is truly remarkable.

European Air War has soared out of the hangar as an A-list historical simulation. It should seriously challenge both Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator's and Jane's WWII Fighters' bids for air supremacy.-- Andy Mahood / GamePro