Previous Next

The bad news is that Red Arrows is yet another flight simulator for the C64. By my reckoning that makes at least a dozen now, probably more. The good news is that it at least has an element of originality about it.

As you've probably guessed, you are cast as one of the Red Arrows formation flying team, RED 8 to be precise. Your job is to keep up with other members of the team as they perform cunning stunts at death-defying speed.

There are two parts to the program. In Red Arrows proper, you complete a full display with the team. Red Leader calls the shots, his radio instructions scroll along the bottom of your instrument panel (this would have been brilliant with sound, shame). The instruments are much the same as those on other simulations. Air speed indicator, rate of climb, thrust, artificial horizon, etc. The view from the cockpit is pretty good if a little chunky on the graphics.

The aircraft itself, a British Aerospace Hawk, is a petty tough bird to handle (flying talk, that). So if the idea of flying wingtip to wingtip with the rest of the boys makes you reach for the brown trousers, you'll be glad to hear that there's a practice mode.

Training mode allows you to fly around on your own to get the hang of the controls. This way at least the only person you can kill is yourself. Once you've got the hang of that (it takes a while!) you can practise individual manoeuvres with the chaps. To make things a bit easier, the computer will control either the thrust or steering, but not both as there wouldn't be anything for you to do.

Red Arrows is a lot more difficult than some other flight simulators I've played. The plane is more difficult to control and the object of the game, rather than to provide fast action, is to fly difficult manoeuvres to within fine tolerances. It should appeal to those solitary fliers looking for a bit of company - over and out, Red Leader.