Combat Flight Simulator
by Microsoft
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Video Game Reviews of Combat Flight Simulator
Customer Review: Flight Sim goes to war
Summary: 2 Stars
In Microsoft Combat Simulator, WWII Europe (CFS-1), you get to fly for either the Axis or Allies in the skies over war-torn Europe. The sim allows you to fly the machines any flight enthusiast will recognize - FW-190, Me-109, the Spit, the 'stang to name a few. If you're dissatisfied with the variety of aircraft (you want to fly the Mustang, but want a differnt looking Mustang; or you simply want to try something wild like a dogfight between an Eastern L-1011 and Air Force One), the sim allows for 3rd party files (downloadable from countless websites) adding extra planes, modifying scenery, interior panels and even sounds. This makes CFS one of the most versatile military flightsims available, and that's the root of the problem. MS has gone to such great lengths to make CFS an open-source program, that they forgot to complete those parts of the sim that all buyers expect the package to come with - no dynamic campaign. Instead, CFS offers canned missions stitched together ala the orignal "A-10 Tank Killer", forgetting that LucasArts offered a crude but effective dynamic campaign (in which your success or failure in one mission affected future missions) in "Their Finest Hour" (1990). Canned missions are barely acceptable in simulations, and certainly not flight simualations made by a company that has essentially been packaging the same (though upgraded) sim repeatedly over the course of several decades, and has charged a premium for it. Another caveat - though coming out about the same time as FS98, CFS isn't simply FS98 with Browning .303's. While FS98 runs okay on my computer (P200MMX, 64MB RAM, 12MB Vooodoo2), CFS runs like a slideshow. On a Celeron 333, frame rate was much improved, but didn't reveal a sim that was a great leap ahead. For Celeron owners, I'd recommend "European Air War". Owners of older Pentiums will just have to stick with Microprose's older "1942, Pacific Air War" of the early 1990's. If you don't know what kind of flight sim you want - this is the game for you. With downloadable files, you'll be able to craft just about any kind of sim you want, but nothing you end up with is bound to knowck you out of your seat.
Customer Review: Good but not indepth
Summary: 3 Stars
First of all the game graphics are sharp and fast. The flight physics are on the ball. When you are looking around in your cockpit this where the game shines.Shooting a plane is very rewarding with debre falling off(and yes you can in fact shoot wings off planes) and smoke.
Unloading on a plane and then pausing to move the camera all around is worth way more then 5 stars.
Unfortunately the campaign brings it down for imersive play and lasting interest.
This quote from reviewer Filmfanman sums it up perfectly:
"The campaign modes are the least interseting aspect of the game and leave a lot to be desired. I want a sense of "being there" from my sims, outside of combat. I want detailed debriefings after a mission. I want to feel a sense of camaraderie with my fellow virtual pilots. I want to know who made it back and who didn't. I want to see how many kills my squad mates got so I have a benchmark with which to compete. I don't care if the missions are scripted or dynamic so long as they have that feel that really immerses you in a campaign. The campaigns here fall flat"
But the game is good for a few hours here and there. And I would encourage you to fly the ones that are not terribly long to get the most out of the simulation aspect. Otherwise like what someone else said. It will get boring quick.
All in all a very solid game where the campaigns brings it down 2 stars. Sad.
Customer Review: Real flying experience!
Summary: 4 Stars
Back in the ancient DOS days, a WWII sim called SWOTL [Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe] satisfied a long-standing wish to fly historic aircraft. Bf109s, Spitfires, Hurricanes and the mighty B-17 engaged in mortal combat. Combat Flight Simulator has successfully updated those early attempts at recreating the air war in Europe. The aircraft in this simulation are distinct - you aren't flying the same airplane with modified panels. The Bf109, FW190, Spitfires and Hurris all react uniquely to your handling. Low level combat has you in the dirt if you push after a target too earnestly. High level attacks must be performed with an eye to throttle as the aircraft response becomes realistically mushy at altitude.You need to understand how to fly in this simulation. The aircraft are unforgiving to the ham-handed and you must keep an eye on both your enemies and friends. Mid-air collisions can occur. Be especially careful when landing in a group - some of those clowns will plow into you if you don't get off the runway. Watch your gear lights - especially if you have messaging turned off! Wheels-up landings are possible, but you'd better know how to perform that feat.
Keep your eye on the fuel gauges. In either Campaign phase you will spend a lot of time judging how fast to fly over long distances. Bf109 escort missions or flying the Jug deep into Europe can consume a lot of fuel. It's not difficult to run dry on the way home. On the other hand, the speed limit warnings given in the manual for gear or flap extension are meaningless. That's a pity since you can perform pretty hairy approaches without fear. Damage is realistic up to a point. You can't observe wing damage, but if your flaps or ailerons are damaged, you'll have to adjust your handling. Overall, this is a fine simulation and well worth the price for the experience.
Customer Review: A fun game with some problems
Summary: 4 Stars
When I first loading this game there was many graphics problems and hanging up on my computers part. I have a relatively new computer compared to when this game came out in 1998. This is a good game but make sure before you buy it that you have the best graphics card possible or else you'll run into the same problems I did.Customer Review: fun, but not for long
Summary: 3 Stars
I make a hobby of owning and playing flight simulators, and can really appreciate both realism and playability. While this game has a little of both, it left me wanting so much more.Gamers familiar with other WWII titles like the older Aces over Europe and the newer Janes WWII Fighters will feel like they're flying a paper airplane after a few flights in this sim. While a fantastic attempt at simulating the flying experience was made, and succeeded in most points, there's just something about the whole flight package that leaves me wanting more. After a flying a few missions with this game, I go right back to WWII Fighters for the whizzing bullets, radio chatter, textured clouds and flak, groaning and creaking airframe during a tight maneuver, spinning propeller blurring your view ... In short, while we can't expect any one game to give us everything, I still expected a game touted as one of the "flight simulator" series to give me more realism.
As for playability and "fun", the game has a little more. Don't let anyone tell you it's an easy game either. Playing the missions from either side gives you a pretty good feel for the campaigns fought so long ago. If your team (axis or ally) felt the crunch, or was flying high, you can really feel it here. Damage-to-flight is pretty realistic, and thought it may seem that your fighter is taking more damage than it should be allowed to, you're quick meat in a dogfight with so many control surfaces and avionics all shot up.
If I were to sum this game up, it's fun, but lacks the "feeling" of realism some of us purists out there are looking for.