Description:
The Korean War has gone down in history as The Forgotten War, a fact very apparent in the world of computer flight simulators. Simulations that model the air war in Korea can be counted on one hand, and to make matters worse many of those games are either old or simply stink. That's why we were so impressed when MiG Alley came sailing in out of the wild blue yonder and redefined our expectations for Korean War flight sims. If you have a 3-D accelerator card, MiG Alley's graphics are impressive, and the sound effects satisfy. The real appeal, though, is the game's convincing flight model. Most dogfights during this period were fought at extremely high altitudes where air density is an oxymoron, and Mig Alley does a terrific job of conveying the slippery precariousness of turning in such conditions (according to the accounts we've read by Korean War pilots). One wrong move and you're tumbling earthward, effectively turning yourself into a big fat bull's-eye. The historical differences between the MiG-15 and the F-86 are also modeled well, as the Russian-built jet trades maneuverability for power while the American plane is nimble but can't keep up with the MiG in a climb. Dogfights are only half the story, however, since you also can go on ground-pounding missions to take out enemy installations, trains, and other critical enemy equipment. Entire campaigns based around bomb runs are available, and those missions are just as tense and fun as the sorties involving aerial combat. You can even direct the entire air campaign, assigning air and ground targets to flights as you try to manage your resources to stem the ceaseless wave of planes and equipment coming from the north. Whether you crave quick action or would like to savor the strategy elements present in MiG Alley, no combat flight simulator fan should be without a copy. --T. Byrl Baker Pros: - Flight model feels terrific
- Ability to manage the entire aerial campaign
- Accurate historical differences between aircraft
Cons: - Lack of guided weapons, combined with the high speeds of jets, makes this sim tough for novices
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