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I'm always suspicious when games are released for a wide range of machines - all at the same time. According to the packaging, "it's the most exciting, full colour flight simulation ever written..." I totally disagree.

You take to the cockpit of a Hawk plane as part of the famous Red Arrows display team. You must play your role as plane nine by keeping information as the team loops and zooms around. The screen display is a familiar half split, with the instrument panel at the bottom and the window view above. The detailed manual shows which formation patterns to follow - although not what the control keys are.

So, what is my criticism? The program does not in any way feel like flying a Hawk. Graphics are simple, and move mostly by character spaces. There is no sense of speed or the "utmost realism" mentioned in the blurb; for example, to indicate movement when the player flies perpendicular to the ground, the screen flickers while the graphics remain stationary. Sometimes, without apparent reason, the middle of the ill-defined plane in front of you will disappear, although this strangely does not affect its performance! And why is flying suddenly so quiet?

The ground and sky are totally featureless - not a cloud or building in sight. This game is generally pretty featureless too. It might have been good two years ago, but now would only be an adequate budget game. It's vastly over-priced and slightly amateur.

P.S.