"Has its moments, but still pretty flawed"

Seldom do flight simulators work well on consoles. On the PC with thousands of keys to use, they tend to be better (although inaccessible to most), but the few attempts at translating this to a console have largely been unplayable. But then came Aerowings which whilst simplifying the controls to fit a pad, still managed to create a realistic and surprisingly enjoyable gameplay experience. However some thought the lack of combat involved made for a downright dull game, so along comes a sequel which adds dog-fighting to the mix. But does it work?

Before you get anywhere near a combat mission, you must first play through a series of tutorial missions that'll teach you how to do pretty much everything you'll need, from taking off and landing to Innelman turns and barrel rolls. Rather than seeming pointless, these missions gradually ease you into the action and give you a real sense of realistic piloting. However when you finally get to the combat missions, it does seem to be something of an anti-climax. As well as the missions, there's a few challenges to take part in and the always enjoyable free-flight mode which lets you fly around the games many locales at will.

These locales range from vast oceans to cities and grasslands. Sadly though for the two player dog-fights you are presented with just the ocean level which is a real shame. A nice touch is the fact that any of the areas can be flown at during different times of day. Another fun thing to do is to crash the biggest planes you can find into skyscrapers. But only if you're a sicko like me...

With a huge TV and at a great height, the environments look stunning and pretty photo realistic. However, once you get to a low altitude the few 3D objects used look terrible with the flat squashed looking 2D textures. My advice - stay above 3000 feet! On the other hand, all the planes themselves look stunning. In terms of sound, things aren't so hot. The music is horribly cheesy 80s rock and the machine gun noise sounds like something from a Spectrum game or perhaps a squashed mobile phone. Luckily the jet noises and the sounds of missiles being despatched and making impact are far better, and the sound the game makes when you crash your plane is pretty satisfying.

All in all, it's hard to say how good Aerowings 2 is. On one hand it provides one of the best console flight simulation experiences you're ever likely to have, but on the other hand it just doesn't seem too well put together. The combat is basic in the extreme and clashes horribly with the realistic nature of everything else. However for those just looking to fly around and attempt loops and landings, there's a lot to enjoy. Basically then, for flight aficionados, this game will be bliss. Others though are advised to approach with caution.

GRAPHICS - 7/10 - Best suited to a large TV. From a great height the landscapes are jaw-dropping but once you get in close, they're just horrible!

SOUND - 6/10 - Awful music and machine gun sounds, but some great plane sounds and explosions.

GAMEPLAY - 7/10 - Not exactly what you might call fun, but it's as great a representation of flight you'll ever likely to see on a home console.

LIFESPAN - 8/10 - Lots of missions though the much anticipated combat missions aren't as spectacular as you'd hope. The 2 player mode is quite good if not perfect and the free flight mode is a good inclusion.

OVERALL - 7/10 - Probably the hardest game I've had to review! Not bad by any means, but it will prove to be inaccessible to many. For those who give it time however, there's a very rewarding experience to be had.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/09/02, Updated 12/09/02