1943 Berlin Blitz

About

1943 Berlin Blitz is a single player action game with a historical theme. It was developed by BBC Media Applications Technologies Limited and was released on October 3, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Join a Lancaster bomber crew during a raid over Berlin in World War Two.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 259 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The experience provides a powerful and immersive glimpse into the realities faced by bomber crews during WWII, enhanced by authentic audio recordings.
It's a free VR experience that effectively captures the atmosphere of a bombing raid, making it a worthwhile 20-minute investment for history enthusiasts.
The attention to detail in recreating the interior of the Lancaster bomber and the use of real historical audio adds a significant emotional weight to the experience.

The graphics quality is often criticized as being mediocre, with some elements appearing low-resolution and detracting from the overall immersion.
The experience lacks interactivity, leaving players as passive observers without the ability to engage with the environment or the narrative.
Some users noted that the short duration and limited scope of the experience may lead to a feeling of repetitiveness and reduced long-term appeal.

graphics
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
66%
10%
The graphics in this experience are generally described as dated and merely adequate, with many users noting issues such as glitches and a lack of realism. While the visuals do not stand out and can detract from immersion, the combination of audio and historical context helps to engage players despite the graphical shortcomings. Overall, while improvements are desired, the experience remains impactful due to its unique perspective on a historical event.
- “Bbc's 1943 Berlin Blitz is an audio recording of an actual September 1943 bombing raid over Berlin, accompanied by a graphical reconstruction allowing you to be a passenger on a very real and very dangerous Second World War mission.”
- “Graphically it's not 'realistic', but the recording of the real event combined with the visuals is enough to keep you immersed and fill in any visual 'gaps' lacking detail with your imagination.”
- “This VR experience was definitely something; the visuals in my opinion were stunning, and it is indescribable what I felt when the flak came in and began to rock the bomber. I could feel myself somewhat panicking, worrying if the next shell would hit us.”
- “Graphics are not special and it's a bit glitchy.”
- “The visuals--especially the very fake looking searchlights and blobby city--are also unconvincing and remove me from the experience.”
- “I really can't get anyone saying this is a good experience; graphics look terrible, you are always on the same perspective inside a plane, what a lack of imagination from the developers. It's pretty boring, a waste of time (thank god it's free) and doesn't show at all the true capabilities of this new medium. I'm really surprised it's produced by the BBC; I honestly expected much more from them.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The story aspect of "1943 Berlin Blitz" is highly praised for its immersive and emotional portrayal of a World War II bombing mission, allowing players to experience the tension and claustrophobia of being inside a Lancaster bomber. Users appreciate the combination of real audio recordings and graphical reconstructions that create a vivid historical atmosphere, making them feel like active participants in a significant moment of history. Overall, the experience is described as a compelling and well-executed virtual documentary that effectively conveys the dangers and realities faced by air crews during the war.
- “Bbc's 1943 Berlin Blitz is an audio recording of an actual September 1943 bombing raid over Berlin, accompanied by a graphical reconstruction allowing you to be a passenger on a very real and very dangerous Second World War mission.”
- “I was deeply moved by the experience and particularly thinking about the reporter who could easily have been killed along with the air crew who flew these missions time after time.”
- “A well-executed and immersive historical experience crafted around the original idea of using real audio and presence to tell a true story.”
- “I wish I could do some activities and take part in a virtual mission.”
- “You feel the claustrophobia of flying inside a Lancaster bomber on a mission over Germany for a few minutes.”
- “It's a very immersive experience taking you through all the stages of the mission and putting you in different areas of the aircraft.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
8%
23%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of World War II bomber missions, enhanced by original audio recordings and detailed scenery. While some users note that the graphics may detract from the overall experience, the combination of sound design and historical context effectively evokes the intensity and emotion of the era. Overall, players find the atmosphere to be a standout feature, creating a powerful and memorable experience.
- “The atmosphere created was unreal and I think it displayed what the bomber command was like during WW2.”
- “An atmospheric reconstruction that is made particularly moving by the playing of the live recordings throughout.”
- “Not really a graphic masterpiece but just the audio and the atmosphere will punch you with the feeling of being in a bombing raid, watching a city under you as just fire and destruction.”
- “Yet, the graphics of the outside harm the atmosphere.”
- “Not really a graphic masterpiece, but just the audio and the atmosphere will punch you with the feeling of being in a bombing raid, watching a city under you as just fire and destruction.”
- “But... good audio and authentic radio communication capture some of the atmosphere and history of WWII.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the emotional depth of the experience, noting moments that evoke strong feelings, such as tears during poignant narratives about loss and camaraderie. The immersive storytelling and impactful themes make it a moving experience that resonates deeply with users. Overall, it is described as a brief yet profoundly emotional journey worth experiencing.
- “I cried when I read how half of the crews of these bombers died over all the years of war.”
- “I cried when they began to sing on their way back home.”
- “Immersive and emotional, well worth 15 minutes of anyone's time.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay aspect has been criticized for lacking traditional mechanics and engaging elements, with some users noting that it feels more like an informative experience than a game. Overall, it appears to offer limited enjoyment and does not meet expectations for interactive gameplay.
- “Not a game, there's no gameplay mechanics.”
- “Not a game, there's no gameplay mechanics.”
- “It's not eye-popping visuals or gameplay whatsoever, but it's 15 minutes of perspective gained about history I never would have had otherwise.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users noted that while the music in the game is engaging, some found the original voice recordings to be unclear, leading to a desire for subtitles. Additionally, there was confusion regarding a character spinning records without accompanying music, which detracted from the overall experience.
- “The only option I was occasionally missing was subtitles since the original voice recording is not a crystal clear soundtrack and I'm not a native speaker.”
- “I was a little confused about the guy spinning '45s, but there was no music.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences several clipping issues and graphical glitches, but despite these imperfections, many users still find it enjoyable and worth playing.
- “There are lots of clipping and graphical glitches.”
- “It's not perfect; there are a few glitches and graphical errors.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers an interesting and immersive experience; however, players note that it has minimal replay value.