European Air War
- June 16, 2022
- MicroProse Software, Inc
Get on Steam"European Air War" is a WWII combat flight simulation, putting you in the cockpit of 20 authentic fighter planes from America, Britain, and Germany. Engage in various mission types with up to 256 planes in the air, and improve your skills over time in campaign mode. Realistic flight models and historical film footage add to the immersion.
Reviews
- The Battle of Britain campaign is still great fun to play and offers a nostalgic experience.
- The game plays well with modern controllers and retains its charm despite its age.
- It provides a realistic flight simulation experience with a variety of detailed aircraft and engaging missions.
- The game has compatibility issues with modern joysticks and can crash during certain missions.
- Graphics and control options are limited compared to newer flight simulators, which may disappoint some players.
- There is a lack of tutorials or direction for new players, making it challenging to get started.
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, released in 1998, are considered outdated by modern standards, yet they possess a nostalgic charm that some players appreciate. While the visuals may not compete with contemporary titles, they were among the best of their time and contribute to the game's overall atmosphere and depth. Despite criticisms regarding limited options and aging visuals, many reviewers acknowledge the game's artistic style and the quality of its flight graphics.
“Obviously don't expect amazing graphics from this game as it was released in 1998, but they do have a sense of charm, and I personally feel they hold up today.”
“It's a testament to European Air War that it romanticized this dark period of history, with classy visuals, a catchy menu theme, and gameplay that offered depth while still being relatively easy to pick up.”
“The flight graphics are good, especially the friendly and enemy aircraft.”
“Surprisingly, the graphics on EAW were not that much better than MCS-2, which is a lot more challenging.”
“Although it's aged badly, with limited graphics options, and then Battlefield 1942 eventually came along implementing more playable flight controls (and IL-2 Sturmovik did better as a proper simulator).”
“Graphics were garbage as well.”
- story2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's story is well-crafted, particularly in its missions and campaigns, but technical issues, such as crashes during the carrier path, detract from the overall experience. While the graphics may feel outdated, the narrative elements are praised for their quality.
“The graphics are old, but the missions and especially the campaigns are very well made.”
“The story is poorly written and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evoke any emotional response.”
“The plot twists are predictable and do not add any excitement to the overall narrative.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *European Air War* is praised for its depth and accessibility, making it easy for players to engage with while also providing a rich experience. The game's classy visuals and catchy menu theme further enhance its appeal, contributing to a romanticized portrayal of a complex historical period.
“It's a testament to European Air War that it romanticized this dark period of history, with classy visuals, a catchy menu theme, and gameplay that offered depth while still being relatively easy to pick up.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that while the game has aged poorly and lacks modern graphics options, its replayability is diminished by the emergence of superior titles like Battlefield 1942 and IL-2 Sturmovik, which offer better flight controls and overall gameplay experiences.
“The game lacks variety, making it hard to find motivation for a second playthrough.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return, as side quests feel repetitive.”
“The limited choices and outcomes mean that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
