SOFTWARE REVIEW

Communications Report:

FirePower

Category:
Flight Simulation

Players:
1 - 32

Type/#:
CD / 1

Minimum System Requirements:

Windows 98/ME/2K/XP, 600 MHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 32 MB Video Card, 12X CD-ROM Drive, DirectX Compatible Sound Card

Test System:

Windows XP, 1.4GHz AMD Athlon, GeForce FX 128 MB video card, 40 gig hard drive, 56x CD-ROM, 256MB DDR Ram, Sound Blaster Live! sound card, Cable Modem Internet connection

Graphics and Sound:

The people at GMX Media have spared no expense on FirePower in terms of realism. The great visuals of MS Combat Flight Simulator 3 are supplemented extraordinarily well by the special effects packed into FirePower. Never has a sim of this nature seen such realistic ballistic effects like cannon fire and explosions in mid air. Planes will rip in half around you, and shrapnel and debris will flutter by in a way never experienced before.

The sound is also well done and will remind you immediately of something off the History Channel. Cannon fire and explosive sound effects accompany the visual effects in a way not seen in many games of this type.

Gameplay:

MS Combat Flight Simulator 3 is the core game for this add on, and while the price of 32 dollars might seem a bit hefty for a mere 'add on', let me explain why it's worth shelling out the dough. First of all, the dynamic Campaign mode of MS Combat Flight Simulator 3 was great, and it only gets better after you get to jump into the cockpit of 14 new planes and take on 50 new missions.

These new aircraft include assortments of Messerschmitts, Focke Wolfes, as well as the B-17, the B-29, Lancaster Bombers, the Curtis P-40, and the Heinkel He162 jet. What's even better is that you can switch positions in the bombers and take shots from any gun mount or be the bombardier that drops the bombs right in the pickle barrel.

Among the missions are the 25 that the B-17 Memphis Belle flew, the first bomber of its kind to complete a tour of duty and send its entire crew home. This type of historical detail is prevalent throughout the game thanks in part to the guidance of the people who actually flew the missions. WWII vets are few and far between these days, and the last vestiges of their kind are lending a hand to recreate what it was like to fight the air battles of one of the greatest wars in human history.

Difficulty:

The authenticity of this game, and that of MS Combat Flight Simulator 3, is such that taking control of one of these aircraft is like getting in a real one yourself. Though you can switch the controls around for various other arcade styles, the real treat comes from mastering the true flight mechanics of each individual craft. It's hard but not impossible, and getting the hang of one of these babies is as much a reward as beating the game itself.

Game Mechanics:

As stated earlier, FirePower offers some of the most authentic WWII flying experiences ever. Everything about these planes has been replicated down to the last decal. The GMX team has pushed the envelope with damage modeling as well, and now it only takes a few well placed shots to down an enemy.

Learning how to fly has never been so much fun. Owners of MS Combat Flight Simulator 3 have no reason not to spend the extra cash for this add on unless they found the bugs of the original title too much to handle. FirePower more than makes up for that flaw with the content it offers. This mere add on is enough to give stellar titles like IL-2 Sturmovik a run for their money.