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EUROPEAN AIR WAR
Developed by: Microprose
(1998)
Genre: World War 2
Combat Flight Sim
System Requirements: Win
95/98, P200+, 32 MB RAM, CD ROM, 50 MB HDD Space, 3D accelerator card, joystick.
1998 could be called the "Year of the W.W.II
Sim". I can't remember a year where more W.W.II PC games hit the market like '98.
World War Two flight sims made something of a phoenix-like rise with a handful of
excellent titles being released. One of those was Microprose's European Air War (EAW) and,
boy oh boy, it's it a good one!!
EAW offers some of the most intense aerial combat you'll find on a PC. The sheer number of aircraft that can be in play (without drastic drops in framerate) are awesome. In one game alone I found myself dodging around a B-17 formation that numbered in the 20's and avoiding the various escorts (again 15-20 aircraft). Including my wingmen and an additional interceptor group, there must have been 80 aircraft in the air! EAW is truly an experience.
Graphically, the game is excellent. While the highest resolution is only 640x480, the detail and rendering is breathtaking. The terrain is rendered realistically in 3D as well so avoid trees and buildings when riding the deck. The aircraft look fantastic- complete with light reflections, exhaust smoke and spent cartridges falling from the wings. There is plenty to like graphically with EAW.
EAW offers possibly the widest selection of flyable aircraft in it's genre: 20 to be exact including the P-51B and D, P-38J and H, three Spitfire models, the Me-262 jet, two Focke Wolfs (A and Dora models) and just about every variant of the Me-109. Each is realistically rendered with accurate flight models for each. Of course you have plenty of other aircraft to fly with and against like the B-17, B-24, B-26, etc.. Only in the good old days of Dynamix Aces Series will you find anything that really comes as close in regards to variety of aircraft.
The campaigns offered in EAW are outstanding allowing players to campaign in the American Air Corps, British RAF or German Luftwaffe. Each campaign is different and very challenging. With some luck and good reflexes, players will move up and rank while gaining recognition via medals/awards.
The only downers I found was some quirky AI regarding your wingmen- sometimes they do really dumb things like engaging in combat without dropping wing tanks (as an example)- but it's nothing that distracts from play. Multiplayer was a bit of a hassle with a couple of crashes and the annoying habit of disconnecting when mission objectives have been met. You can't continue flying about- it's game over for you and your network/modem buddies. Otherwise an almost perfect sim.
EAW may not be THE best World War Two flight sim- but it's
pretty close. Highly recommended and an worthy "Top Pick" award winner.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
THE CONS:
Review by Steve Ellis