Information

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator is Microsoft attempt at a World War II flight simulation. I must admit that when I first heard that there were about five or six new W.W.II flight simulations coming to the shelves, Microsoft's was on the bottom of my list for purchases. However, considering that it was one of the first to be released (along with Microprose's European Air War) there wasn't much choice in the matter.

After a long instillation, the first thing that I noticed was how easy the game was to set up and get running. Finally, I was ready to take my first test flight and put this simulation through the ringer. I started off by choosing the Free Flight option which allows you to fly without the interference of enemy aircraft and ground fire. I chose to fly the North American P-51 Mustang as my first aircraft.

After stating the engine and giving it power, I noticed how much detail that Microsoft had put into this simulation. Just as I started down the runway, I noticed that the plane was slightly bouncing due to the rough grass airstrip. From there, the simulation only got better, the graphics were intense to say the least, the flight model was excellent, and every attention to detail was present.

After testing all of the aircraft, I decided to try some combat. I started in the Mustang and was up against three German aircraft. After turning and tossing for a few minutes and downing an Me-109 I finally got hit in the engine. I switched to the exterior view to see the damage and noticed that there was fire and smoke streaming out the side of my cowling. This was great!! I was immediately hooked.

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator offers several different modes of play: free flight, quick combat, single missions,campaigns, and training. The single missions and campaigns offer a wide variety of missions, from intercepting bombers to bombing and strafing trains. Another great thing about this simulation is the ability to import the thousands of user made terrain and aircraft available over the internet.

I hope that you will check out this simulation for yourself, you will not be disappointed.