Reviewed
03.01.2003
Publisher
CRI
Developer
CRI
Format
1x
GD
Origin
Import
Available
Aug.
23, 2001 (Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
1st
/ 3rd Person
Genre
Flight
/ Sim
Player(s)
1-4
Options
Backup
15 +14
Mission
Stick
Modem
Rumble
VGA
Box
VMS
/ VMU
Requires
n/a
Importable
90% |
| Intro |
|
> Before Dreamcast, consoles never got enough flight sims.
Thanks to CRI, the Aero Dancing series has 6 releases for
Dreamcast,
including Aero Dancing iSD (ADiSD). This is a Special Disk
release to complement Aero
Dancing i. Each new game in this Elite
Series has added new aircraft to master and missions to complete.
> If you want ADiSD then importing is the only avenue. No problem though,
unless you know nothing about flying an airplane. Otherwise, most
of the menus are in English, while the voices and descriptions are in Japanese.
The hardest part will be to figure out exactly what needs to be done in
the training missions. |
| Graphics |
|
> ADiSD's visuals are largely the same as Aero
Dancing F. Other than minor tweaks, you'll see much better
after burner flames, and higher poly counts for the aircraft and locales.
One thing that is weird would be the fact you can't access all the views
while in flight, as previously possible. Now, they're only available
in replay mode. My only complaint would be that the flight locales
are relatively small, so they repeat scenery too often. This is one
glaring element that hasn't changed since the first Aero
Dancing. |
| Control |
|
> As usual, you can select from normal and professional control schemes.
The difference being that professional is closer to reality. Other
factors, like your HUD display, can be altered in the options menu.
Overall though the gameplay hasn't changed much (which is mainly good).
The remaining problem, IMO, is that most planes brake way too slow.
I have witnessed F-14's land and come to a complete stop in less than 3,000
ft. (which can be very difficult to perform in this series). |
| Sound |
|
> Very good. Some new guitar themes help melt away the hours you'll
be spending trying to master the AV-8B Harrier. Once again, all the
voices are Japanese, which means you won't be understanding the mission
descriptions.. |
| Fun |
> I love games where there's an infinite number of possible outcomes.
Flight sims fit comfortably in that description. There's a lot of
modes to keep you busy here:
-
AV-8B
Challenge - participate in increasingly difficult and complicated training
missions.
-
Cat Survival
- more or less a Survival Mode where you pilot a lone F-14 against increasingly
difficult bandits.
-
Free Flight
- choose from Air Attack, Surface Attack, Solo Flight, or Random missions.
-
Internet
Battle - dogfight with up to 4 online opponents.
-
Dancing
Audition 2001 - see tons of user replays from Aero Dancing i.
-
Premium
- see video clips and download special data saves for all the Aero Dancing
games.
-
Hangar
- watch training videos, use the replay theater, create custom emblems,
and hit some official web links.
I guess
it's fair to say ADiSD offers the most gameplay modes of any Aero Dancing
game. This is flight at its best and most fun. |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> If flying WWII or Harrier aircraft entices you, then ADiSD is for you.
The new bombing missions are cool too. Even so, I'd only recommend
this game if you don't have a couple of the prequels or you love flight
sims (like me). |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
9.2 | Graphics: 9.8 | Control: 9.5 | Sound: 9.6 | Fun: 8.0 |
|
