C&VG


Fighter Pilot

Publisher: Digital Integration
Machine: Atari 400/800/600XL/800XL/130XE

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #54

Fighter Pilot

This is sheer frustration. Guaranteed to put any games player in a bad mood. No, it's not the game itself that caused all the anger. It was that truly appalling invention the dreaded Lenslok!

After fifteen minutes of squinting through this stupid little device, the correct security code was deciphered and the game loaded. But not before several "Time-Outs" were declared. What a waste of time.

But on to the game. You're put in charge of a McDonnell Douglas F15 Eagle jet fighter, armed with an impressive range of destructive powers.

Fighter Pilot

There are four main modes to this flight simulation - landing practice, flying training, air-to-air combat practice and air-to-air combat itself.

There is the "blind" option which simulates take-off and landing in fog plus an option giving crosswinds and turbulence.

Pilot skills range from trainee, squadron leader, instructor and ace pilot.

Fighter Pilot

As with many flight simualtions, a wide range of the aircraft's controls are displayed - artificial horizon, speed, radar and compass, etc.

there is also a map display giving a detailed view of the terrain.

The combat mode requires you to defend four airfields Base, Tango, Delta and Zulu. The enemy must be tracked, engaged and destroyed. Your aircraft can take four hits before it is destroyed. But at any time during a dog-fight you can break off the action and land at one of the airfields for repairs or re-armament.

I'm not a great fan of flight simulations. I find them frustratingly slow to get anywhere. Even when the enemy aircraft were in my sights I found them difficult to hit, such was the sensitivity of the joystick controls. One slight touch would send the fighter spinning uncontrollably.