Product Description

Feel the adrenalin rush as you strafe enemy positions at 350 mph, 600 feet above the European countryside, guns blazing and bombs blasting. In Combat Flight Simulator 3 you can fly for the USAF, RAF, or the Luftwaffe in some of the most advanced and exotic aircraft of WWII.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3342 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft - Home
• Released on: 2002-10-24
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platforms: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.25" h x 5.25" w x 7.75" l, .40 pounds

Gamespot Product Review
With stunning graphics and accurate flight models, Combat Flight Simulator 3 lets you revisit the Western Front during World War II as a pilot in a variety of production and prototype period aircraft. Significant improvements have been made over the earlier versions of the series, such as the addition of a dynamic campaign and cooperative multiplayer mode. Plus there is incredible attention to detail--with a new graphics engine that combines the ability to render planes in flight with highly detailed terrain that looks great even at low levels, adding a new dimension to low-level bombing runs.

There is a price to pay for this attention to detail: performance. You're going to need a high-end processor and graphics card to get the most from this game. We would recommend a Pentium 4 and GeForce4 combination (or equivalent) to get full satisfaction. Anything less and you have to start compromising on the in-game detail settings, or accept stuttering frame rates.

There are 18 aircraft that you can fly in the game, plus many variant models, though there are some notable omissions. While you can happily take control of a Spitfire, Me-109, P51 Mustang, or Junkers 88, you won't come across a Flying Fortress anywhere in the game. The lack of heavy bombers is strange, especially considering the theatre of operations.

Criticisms aside, there is still plenty to enjoy. The flight models are excellent, especially when you switch on the realism settings, with each aircraft having distinct characteristics. The missions are well thought out, as is the campaign system, which enables you to gain access to more aircraft as you progress and acquire skills, which can improve your tolerance to G-forces for example.

Combat Flight Simulator 3 is a worthy addition to the genre. It has enough to keep long-time flight sim fans entertained and is also accessible enough for novices to pick up and play. --Jason Weston