Behind Enemy Lines
Score: 90% ESRB: Unknown Publisher: Abacus Developer: Abacus Media: CD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Miscellaneous/ Miscellaneous/ Miscellaneous
Graphics & Sound: I never did like the graphics in MS Combat Flight Simulator. I found them to be blocky, pastel, and just outright hideous. I hated the lack of detail and the polygon stacking style of graphics. That being said, I would have to say that Behind Enemy Lines measures up to the standard that Combat sets. I still hate the graphics, but Behind Enemy Lines has graphics that are not deviate from Combat's standard. That is a good thing. In other words, the add-on's graphics are just as good as the original. The same can be said of the sounds. Now, I did like the sound in the game, just not the graphics. With four way speakers, the gameplay is really enhanced with the sound effects.
Gameplay: Behind Enemy Lines brings new planes, new missions, and a great new story line to the Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator. Here's the scenario - it's just about D-Day and all the action comes from a carrier in the Mediterranean. There are 30 missions in which you can fly for either the British RAF or the German Luftwaffe. Judging from the title, Behind Enemy Lines, you would expect to be in hostile territory, shooting down the enemy. Well, that's true, but there's more. The missions that you are given are all covert operations. Sometimes you fly recon, sometimes you dogfight, sometimes you just have to drop things off (or pick them up). I thought that this was a great idea. I enjoyed the concept as well as the implementation. I enjoyed all of the missions and found that this greatly enhanced the WW II genre of fighters. As a unique feature, the planes offered radio communication. This is a one way radio; you must maintain radio silence. Basically, you are instructed during your mission by a radio message. This is nice - you don't have to waste time reading while you concentrate on flying.
Difficulty: I found that the game was not too difficult. It was no walkthrough, but it wasn't impossible either. If anything, it was not difficult enough, but that would be stretching it. After you learn how the general game works (it does take some time), getting the hang of Behind Enemy Lines is nothing.
Game Mechanics: I thought the game handled better than the original. The controls were responsive, the layout was intelligent, and it just ran smooth. I like the fact that all of the fighters are simple; it makes the game easier. Not only was the game fun, but it was designed well also. The only problem I have with this one is the graphics and the few bugs that I found. Considering that the bugs will be patched soon, I think there is no reason that anyone who enjoys MS Combat should not get Behind Enemy Lines.
-Storm, GameVortex Communications AKA Jeremy Kelso
Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95/98, 16 MB RAM, 90 MB HD Space, CD-ROM, Sound Card, Joystick, Keyboard, MS Combat Flight Simulator   Test System: P2 300, Windows 98 SE, 128MB RAM, Diamond Viper V770 Ultra w/32MB RAM, 2 Voodoo 2's SLI, 5x24 DVD-ROM, Monster Sound MX500/4 point speakers, Phantom 2 Joystick
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