Flanker 2.0

The current king of hard-core flight sims has just ascended the throne.

The game exudes a pride in the aircraft that is palpable even to the uninitiated gamer. Just observing the aircraft in flight, especially at high altitude with contrails streaming, is enough to evoke admiration for what the developers have achieved.

To really make the game more than a 5 minute thrill ride, dedication and study and going to have to be a large part of the game for you. Fighting against opponents in Flanker is very challenging. Lowering the realism will help quite a bit until you feel ready to notch the realism up some.

This program is a simulation in the truest sense of the word, and offers few crutches to make up for those that don't like to take their entertainment very seriously...The grade may be steep, but for the combat-sim faithful, Flanker 2.0 is a work not to be missed.

While this game has a lot going for it, it's dry presentation and lack of atmosphere might turn others off. If you're just going for technical excellence, Flanker 2.0 won't dissapoint. If, however, you're going for the overall FEEL of a flight sim experience, you might be better off going with "Falcon" or "Mig Alley."

It isn't the perfect game, and the anal attention to detail may reduce the appeal it has to the general game playing populous.

Like Terminal Reality's Fly!, Flanker 2.0 makes the nearly fatal mistake of expecting you to get yourself interested. It will not entice you with its features or engaging gameplay. It does not offer the promise of advancing a pilot's career or fighting through an evolving war. It does not reach out to you. What's worse, it actually pushes you away with an ill-conceived unfriendly campaign.