Mean Machines
1st November 1991
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Machine: Sega Mega Drive (EU Version)
Published in Mean Machines #14
F-22 Interceptor
Fancy flying the deadliest Fighter ever devised, before the real pilots get their hands on it? The first flight sim ever for the Megadrive enables you to do just that, and even creates a few war zones for you to fly it in!
The game starts with you choosing what sort of difficulty level you'd like to see in the game. This ranges from 'Cadet' level (where completing each level is about as difficult as going to the toilet), 'Training' level (slightly harder, but still pretty easy) and 'Combat' level (a real kack-your-trousers job).
After that it's just a case of choosing where you want your mission to take place. You could opt for basic F-22 flight training in the USA or attempt "the real thing" in the likes of Iraq, or even Russia (even if they're our mates now). For real flying heroes, there's even an Aces Challenge, where your F-22 is pitted against the best the enemy can throw at you.
The basic gameplay involves taking off from friendly territory and making your way through many sub-missions, which could range from taking out MiGs to bombarding enemy bases with radar-guided missiles and mavericks. All this explosive action is interspersed at intervals by attempting a rendezvous with a refueling tanker. Here, extra weapons, fuel and repairs are carried out to carry out some more sorties behind enemy lines. The mission ends when you return to friendly territory and safely land.Mission Creation
If you get bored with the missions on offer, there's the option to create your own! Simply give yourself an objective and allocate the numbers of enemies in the area and you're away.
The Real Thing
The F-22 is so new that its existence has only just been officially recognised by the Americans. The F-22 is designed to replace the F-15 Strike Eagle as the fighter of the future. Lockheed (producers of the F-117A) teamed up with Boeing and General Dynamics to come up with an ATF (Advanced Tactical Fighter) that could cope with the increasing sophistication and threat of hostile air forces around the globe.
This Electronic Arts game gives you the chance to see if the 'plane itself lives up to the expectations.Air-To-Ground Thrills
When you fire off any air-to-ground missiles, the view immediately cuts to a chase view of your missile. Now you have to use your joypad skills to successfully direct the missile towards its target.
Cop-Out Options
Bringing up the simulation parameters allows you to muck around with the game settings. This means you can alter the sensitivity of the controls, chance the speed of the graphics, and if you're a real spaz, give yourself infinite fuel, ammo and missiles!
A Different Perspective
If you reckon that the view-screen is a tad on the small side, it's possible to remove it, leaving just your HUD (Head-Up Display) to provide you with useful info.
Rich
The first flight sim on the Megadrive turns out to be one of the most enjoyable I've ever played. This must be due to the fact that all the annoying, fiddly flight sim controls have been taken out.
Instead you just control the afterburners, missiles and the cannon. Combinations of buttons give you more options, but I guarantee you won't need them!The action itself is so exciting and varied, you just keep on coming back. One moment you're fighting off an entire squadron of MiGs, the next you're strafing enemy HQ, then you're refueling... the list of things to do is virtually endless, and with the mission creator added in, lastability is guaranteed.
All of the aircraft fly about very convincing and considering the Megadrive isn't so great with polygons, the action is fast and fluid. EA strike gold once again with a truly riveting game.
Julian
The screenshots on this page certainly don't do the game any justice - you need to play the game to appreciate it. The ground details are sparse, but what you concentrate on are the targets and enemy planes, and these are smooth, detailed and realistic!
Wait until you've got five aircraft all hurtling around trying to stick a missile up your exhaust port! The sheer depth is incredible, and there are tons of missions to challenge even the most skilled of top guns!
And even if you conquer them all, you can use the "create mission" option to engage in kamikaze laffs 'n high-jinks. With its wealth of options, different viewpoints, brilliant touches (watch for sun glare and be careful the pilot doesn't pass out in combat due to excessive g-forces!), stunning presentation and challenging, thoroughly addictive gameplay, F-22 is not only another prime example of how advanced and complex console games can be, it's also a fantastic game in its own right. Test fly it as soon as possible.Verdict
Presentation 96%
Too many options to list, but suffice to say, every option you could possibly include is here.
Graphics 92%
Great static screens and superb in-game polygon graphics to astound and amaze.
Some brilliant sampled noises for cannons, missiles and explosions. Only the in-game music is slightly lacking.
Playability 93%
The training missions make getting into this very easy...
Lastability 92%
...and there's loads of tough expert missions to keep you flying, plus the option to make your own. Lastability is guaranteed!
Overall 93%
A truly superb flight/combat simulation that oozes class. A must for your collection!
