Message-ID: <223@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Nov-84 14:04:39 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.223
Posted: Mon Nov 26 14:04:39 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Dec-84 04:01:02 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
Lines: 57

I'm putting in a quick word on a really neat game for the C-64 I tried 
this weekend:

"F-15 Strike Eagle" by Microprose

The program is pushed as a "simulation of a simulator", more specifically,
of a air-to-air and air-to-ground attack simulator.  The top half of the
display is a view out the forward windshield of an F-15, including
Heads Up Display.  Enemy aircraft, SAMS, and ground targets are displayed
here, using "stick figure" graphics, as opposed to solid figures.  The
sky/horizon is displayed, with grid lines on the ground giving a good
illusion of speed and turns.

The lower half of the display consists of an area map, showing your    
location and the position of ground targets, a radar screen, which
displays airborne targets, and a weapon status board, indicating the
weapon selected (guns, Sparrow, Sidewinder) a schematic layout showing
the current armnament load of the aircraft.

Aircraft flight instrumentation are non-existant; altitude, speed, heading,
and fuel status are included on the HUD.

About eight scenarios are available, each with varying aircraft/SAM threats.
For instance, the basic scenario, "Libya" is similar to the Gulf of Sidra
incident a few years back; no SAMS and SU-7s for opposition, i.e. fairly easy
meat.  In constrast, the Vietnam scenarios are tougher; MIG-19s, and lotsa
SAMs.  

The neatest thing about this game is the realism in air-to-air combat.  I've
done some "Rat Racing" in Citabrias, and avidly watch any gun camera footage
I come across, and "Strike Eagle" is GOOD!  Since they don't bother drawing
any ground detail (the grid lines that show are not really terrain features)
maneuverablitiy is fast... push the stick over, and the horizon whirls!  When
chasing "bandits,"  stick motion is nealy automatic, and the relative position
of the bandit changes as you would expect it to.  One big disadvantage of
the Sublogic Flight Simulator is its slowness; push the stick to the side,
and you have to wait a while 'till the display shows a turn.  Since "Strike
Eagle" doesn't have to worry about drawing rivers, airports, towers, etc.,
minimal time is taken to redraw the horizon when the stick is moved.  The
landing phase is not simulated either; so again, the program can get more 
speed.

This is not a simple game... you must contend with fuel flow, throttle
settings/afterburner considerations, jamming SAMS, ejecting flares, dropping
your bombs and tanks, and marshalling your dwindling cannon ammunition.
Flight characteristics seem fairly well simulated- the aircraft is more
maneuverable when all external stores are dropped, for instance.        
Definitely one of the best programs of the year!

Check it out...

				Ron (MIG-Buster) Wanttaja
				(ssc-vax!wanttaja)

"There's a fireball down there, on the hillside, 
and I've a feeling, we've just lost a friend..."