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Aero Dancing F / AeroWings 2: Airstrike |
Reviewed 02.28.2000 Publisher CRI Developer CRI Format GD Origin Import/Domestic Available Feb. 23, 2000 (Japan) Aug. 9, 2000 (USA) Exclusive Yes Difficulty Adjustable Dimensions 3D View 1st/3rd Person Genre Flight/Sim Players 1-2 Options Backup 8+ Link Mission Stick Rumble VGA Box Requires n/a Importable 95% |
INTRO:
> ADF is just as importable as the first AD. In general, it helps to know a little about flying because the briefings are in Japanese. However, the menus and game screens are in English. If you're ignorant to flight sims, then you may want to wait for the (hopeful and probable) US localization. Therefore, flight sim fans get a importability rating of 95% while casual gamers get around 70%.
> ADF has more maps, and they're beautifully detailed with textures and objects. Various weather conditions are included from day to night, clear to cloudy, and foggy to snowy! There's even a few carrier maps for you would be Navy pilots. > All the jet aircraft (and 1 prop) look amazing, especially with the VGA Box. Inside the cockpit you can see the light being warped by the curvature of the window. Outside the aircraft you can see reflections moving on the cockpit window! The HUD remains basically the same, which is great. To top it off, CRI drastically improved the afterburner effects as they look much more realistic now. > As before, you get a ton of views from inside and outside the cockpit. A couple of notable additions would be the target and missile views, which are really cool. I do, however, spend most of my time in the cockpit. > The special effects are really amazing. Now, when you're flying through clouds, it looks as real as it gets. It's hard to explain, but the clouds look more organic and natural. The missile smoke trails are done well and help in deciding whether to fire another (if the first one obviously goes off course). Lens flares are more impressive as is the look of the sun and moon. Finally, the explosions must be seen! If you (or a bogey) are just damaged, then your aircraft emits a realistic trail of black smoke. However, be prepared for a fantastic fiery trail of smoke and jet parts when you (or a bogey) are completely destroyed!
> You get target view, fire (gun/missile depending on separation), decrease throttle, increase throttle, left rudder, and right rudder buttons. The D-pad is used to cycle through the views, extend speed brake, and extend/retract gear+flaps. Of course, the A-pad is used to fly the aircraft. This may sound complicated, but it's not at all once you know where everything is. Unlike AD, ADF does not allow you to extend the gear/flaps above 250 knots. This is more realistic because if you did that, you're gear would be torn off. Other differences I noticed are the brakes, both air and ground, don't seem to be as effective in ADF as they are in AD. I don't know if that's more realistic, but I assume it is since the game was created with the assistance of current and former fighter pilots.
> Wow! Jet engines never sounded this realistic in a game before. Same goes for the explosions, which are combined with a loud thunderous noise. Naturally, all the speech is in Japanese. The only sound I think could be noticeably improved is the "thunk" when the gear doors close.
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