Previous Next

In this Battle of Britain simulation, you are a Spitfire pilot.

The screen display is a plan view with 3D views for take-off, landing and aerial battles. You are flying over 900 square miles somewhere near the Isle of Wight, represented by 42 screens - leave this area and you fly into fog.

There's an A4 sheet full of instructions, which unfortunately contain a lot of pilot's jargon. Most of this you can guess at, but some of it baffled me - what's 8 OCTAS, for instance?

Graphics are good, although a little more detail wouldn't go amiss. Your plane and the enemy plane are represented by two crosses - user-defined graphics would be better.

The instrumentation could be improved. Height, speed and what have you represented by a number and identifying letter. This is OK when you're just flying about, because you have time to consult the instructions, but when you're locked in combat with the deadly hun, every second counts. The controls are set out rather oddly, too.

Use of sound is good, with realistic engine noises. Generally good value, but too complicated for younger children.

M.R.