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Final Approach - B17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty Eighth
by Len "Viking1" HjalmarsonFirst Impressions
B17 is one of the most impressive products I have seen in my four years as a simulation journalist. The genius of the game is not in the breadth of aircraft represented, but more in the uniqueness of the combat environment. The various components combine to produce a powerful effect. I have spent more than 25 hours in the beta over the past four weeks, and I am still impressed. B17 leverages the power of the modern PC to convey a unique simulation experience.
The addition of a simulated crew to the experience is not incidental. You will not be able to ignore their contributions, nor their demands. When #4 engine takes a hit and is leaking oil and then your tail gunner cries out in pain, you are no longer in a WWII simulation. You are re-living history. Being able to actually watch the crew interact with a wounded comrade brings the human dimension to the fore.
Fortress Dropping Ordnance
The atmospheric nature of the game, driven powerfully by a state-of-the-art graphics engine, plays a huge role in the suspension of disbelief. With my surround sound system driven by a new audio board, and with the bass cranked to 65%, every flak explosion had me holding my breath. Moving back to the outside view, I watched as the bomber formation began a turn over the ocean. With misty clouds drifting below the main layer, and the whitecaps on the water visible far below, I suddenly felt as though I were actually in an aircraft at great height.
A recent "review" in a UK gaming magazine called the game "repetitive." I won't question a fellow journalist's ability, but I certainly question his interest in the genre. Any game will be repetitive at some level. Ho-hum, another undersea excursion. Sigh. Another flight in the Millennium Falcon.
The issue is not that we experience the same type of situation on every mission.. facing the swarm of 109s, the angry flak bursts, and the cries of wounded or frightened crewmen. No one can deny that there are only so many variables. But there is a fully dynamic campaign at work here, and while the same type of events recur, you will also find that you grow attached to your crew and to the success of your mission. The CO, the squadron, and the entire Allied effort hinges on taking out these targets!
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