Sarasota PC Monitor
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3, Battle for Europe
A Software Review
byDave Gerber
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.Microsoft's Flight Simulator series has always been acknowledged by aficionados to be the most realistic simulation available. Over the years I have experimented with the different versions primarily due to my curiosity and interest in the graphic enhancements and other improvements that Microsoft would include. Unfortunately they would hold my interest for only a short period of time since I would eventually come to the personal conclusion that sitting at my computer and flying around the world became quite boring. Now I suppose that if I was completely entrenched in learning how to fly and utilize all of the advanced features and controls Flight Simulator offers I would have felt differently. But I just wanted to get in the cockpit and fly. Then along came the first version of Combat Flight Simulator WWII Europe Series. I really enjoyed playing it since now a Flight Simulator evolved into an action game as well. This 2nd incarnation in the Combat Flight Simulator series WWII Pacific Theater got my interest for 2 reasons. First, the new and improved eye candy and also that it was set in the Pacific, where my dad was stationed during WWII. CFS II now required twice the processing power of the original version and doubled the memory requirements to 64 Mb. The hard drive space required went from 230 Mb to a then whopping 350 Mb. Add the requirement of a 3D Graphics card. Now when I first heard about the pending release of CFS III I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. How could Microsoft improve on a game that ran so well and was so much fun to play? And more importantly, what kind of Super Computer would I need to run it? (See end of review for details)
So what is Combat Flight Simulator 3 anyway? If the title doesn't give it away imagine yourself as a World War II pilot with access to 34 variations of 18 different planes. Now imagine the rigors of numerous training missions? Get past those and you're headed for actual historical missions and campaigns battling the enemies over Europe.
In Campaign mode you need to use your strategic skills to push the enemy lines back to their capital city earning medals and promotions. If you choose to fly a particular mission you will first have to go to a briefing where your superiors will fill you in on the combat at hand.
There are 2 different installation options, Compact and Full. The Compact method takes 900 Mb of hard drive space and the Full Install (the one I used for better performance) took 1.5 Gb (that's GIGA-BYTES)
Before you can have any success in battle you need to understand the controls and cockpit instrumentation which are incredibly realistic which is something Microsoft Flight Sims are known for. And while you can use only your keyboard and mouse to operate the controls I strongly recommend using either a Flight Yoke or Joystick which will make the simulation much more realistic. (Could you imagine a "real" fighter pilot "double-clicking"?) I have the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick which fits CFS 3 like a glove. The only controller that I would recommend over that is the new Microsoft Force Feedback joystick. (I had the original version but couldn't use it since it's not compatible with Windows XP. The Force Feedback models will rock and vibrate in your hands to match the action on the screen and I can attest to the fact that it does an incredible job of enhancing the entire experience. Most of your actions can be controlled with the joystick but the keyboard remains an important tool.
The flying seemed realistic to me and the controls were responsive. The graphics have improved as well from the Virtual Cockpit to the scenery on land and in the air. Even the weather effects were realistic and play an integral role as I suppose it did in 1942. It did take me quite some time to complete a mission without getting myself killed but it made the victory that much sweeter.
One of the best features is being able to fly with or against other CFS 3 owners in an online world at www.zone.com
Microsoft refers to its Flight Simulators "As Real As It Gets" and to this pilot wannabe I couldn't agree more.
The documentation was acceptable but far from impressive. There are a few handbooks on the CD which you can print out. I found that printing the "Pilots Handbook" shortened my learning curve.
Combat Flight Simulator 3 Requirements are: Windows 98/Me/XP/2000, PC with 400 MHz or higher processor, Soundcard, speakers or headphones, 128 Mb RAM for 2000/XP and 64 Mb for 98/Me, 16 Mb Video Card, 4x or faster CD-ROM, Mouse, and Modem for online multiplayer Retail: $49.95
Copyright 2003. This article is from the March 2003 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/
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See http://www.spcug.org for all reviews from the Sarasota PC Monitor, go to the Newsletter Section.