Israeli Air Force

Reviews / previews

Review: Israeli Air Force

Interestingly, a team of former Israeli Air Force pilots and other servicemen is responsible for developing this title; and rather amazingly, it shows in virtually every aspect of play. The attention to detail is extraordinary, from the fully articulated control surfaces for each aircraft type to the authentic-looking Hebraic markings stenciled on the aircraft. Visually, IAF is surprisingly adept as well, rivaling any other air-combat sim published to date. The pyrotechnic effects are crisp and vividly rendered, while the terrain set (taken from stereoscopic satellite data) is effectively handled, showing only the slightest signs of pixelation during low-level flight.

Six aircraft are modeled, including the French-built Mirage III, the US-built F-4E and F-16D, the US-designed and Israeli-improved F-4 2000 and F-15 2000, and the Israeli-built Kfir C-7 and Lavi 8A Advanced Tactical Fighter. Each aircraft is exquisitely depicted, from the marvelous 3D exteriors to the photorealistic instrumentation panels and crisp heads-up displays. What's more, many of the instruments and displays can be activated with a mouse-click, so you don't have to remember all sorts of keyboard combos when the action heats up.

You get excellent multiplayer options-any of the campaign missions can be flown cooperatively, there are six multiplayer-specific missions, the host can use the mission creator to create a mission, and of course you can dogfight. IAF supports up to eight via IPX/SPX or TCP/IP, and it'll be available on Jane's Combat.net (www.janescombat.net).

The single-player options include a full-featured mission creator and two training modes, plus six campaigns. Three are based upon actual historical events (the 1967 Six Day War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and the 1982 Lebanon War), while the remaining three set up a potential near-term conflict between Israel and Syria/Iraq. Curiously, you can fly any mission in any order in the historical campaigns, but you must fly in sequential order during the hypothetical campaigns. Why the limitation? Equally puzzling is the way in which the Scramble (instant action) mode has been implemented. Instead of being able to create your own mission setup with aircraft and weapons of your choice, you have to participate in missions randomly selected by the computer. It's odd, considering the game's breadth and different aircraft types.

But these minor issues are overshadowed by the wealth of detail and splendid way in which IAF captures the particular flavor ascribed to each particular air war. Perhaps for the first time ever, you can find out firsthand what it was like to strap on an F-4E, then come in low and slow over the Golan Heights as dozens of surface-to-air missiles lunge for your hot engine exhaust. The AI is challenging, the gameplay is refreshing, and the number of playing options is staggering given the scope of the conflict. In fact, IAF not only breathes new life into the somewhat staid air-combat genre, it also pays tribute to the men and women who have fought and died to defend their homeland.-- Jason D'Aprile / GamePro