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F-22 Lightning 3 is an action-packed combat flight simulator that allows players to take control of the advanced F-22 Raptor stealth fighter. The game features intense aerial battles, realistic aircraft physics, and a variety of mission types including air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. With stunning graphics and attention to detail, F-22 Lightning 3 provides a thrilling and immersive flight experience for both casual and hardcore gamers.

F-22 Lightning 3 screenshot
F-22 Lightning 3 screenshot
F-22 Lightning 3 screenshot
F-22 Lightning 3 screenshot
F-22 Lightning 3 screenshot
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71%
Audience ScoreBased on 204 reviews
story10 positive mentions
graphics4 negative mentions

  • The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic flight simulators, with many players recalling fond memories from their childhood.
  • Despite its age, the game features a good balance of arcade and simulation gameplay, making it accessible for both casual and serious players.
  • With some tweaks and patches, the game can run smoothly on modern systems, allowing players to enjoy its campaigns and missions.
  • The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including crashes and compatibility problems on modern operating systems, which can frustrate players.
  • Graphics and controls are outdated, leading to a less immersive experience compared to contemporary flight simulators.
  • Many players report a lack of intuitive tutorials and guidance, making it difficult for newcomers to learn the game effectively.
  • story
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is minimal, primarily conveyed through "situation reports" that provide context for missions, with some players noting that the narrative lacks depth and cutscenes. However, the campaign features a substantial number of missions across various regions, with a mix of objectives that can create a sense of progression, as destroyed enemies remain absent in subsequent missions. Despite its limitations, the game manages to maintain player engagement through diverse mission types and a scoring system that tracks performance.

    • “The size of the game in terms of content is massive for that time, with several campaigns spanning across multiple missions with interesting objectives and targets at times.”
    • “Lightning 3 also has a very interesting story, and does a good job of telling it despite there being little more than 'situation reports' to fill in the background for your missions.”
    • “You work your way through various deployment campaigns and the mission situations build up to a finale mission for each campaign (typically culminating in a nuclear strike or combination bombing/multiple enemy squadron mission).”
    • “The loadout, it turns out, doesn't matter so much, even if some missions do feel like you're not making any decisions.”
    • “The worst bug: if you destroyed all enemy radars and missile launchers in every mission of the final campaign (select your wingman to engage enemy), then you can't complete the final mission because you can't receive the voice authorization to release the nuclear weapon.”
    • “Those developers didn't examine every mission carefully before the game was released.”
  • graphics
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game, released in 1999, are generally considered dated compared to modern standards, with many users noting a "voxel" style that can appear floaty and lacking in detail. While some praise the visuals as impressive for their time and realistic within the context of other flight simulations, others criticize them as dull and lacking antialiasing. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, appealing to nostalgia but falling short against contemporary titles.

    • “The graphics and simulation for a game from 1999 are fantastic.”
    • “Despite being primitive graphically (when compared to modern games), they seem to be pretty realistic (examples include Falcon, Fleet Defender, Jane's simulations).”
    • “The graphics are volumetric pixel-based or 'voxel', which makes the scenes seem floaty, causing things to inflate and deflate like a balloon depending on your perspective.”
    • “The graphics are volumetric pixel-based or 'voxel', which makes the scenes seem floaty, and things oftentimes inflate and deflate like a balloon depending on which way you're looking.”
    • “The lack of antialiasing makes the graphics look like you're having a Texas Instruments dangled at you on a string.”
    • “This game is horrible; the graphics are dull and the controls are just disgusting.”
  • gameplay
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of F-16 Multirole Fighter is described as a mix of arcade-style fast fun and simulator-like realism, offering a variety of missions and good controls. However, some users find the gameplay to be slow and lacking excitement, citing multiple errors and a generally bland experience. Overall, opinions are divided between enjoyment of the balance and criticism of its pacing.

    • “F-16 multirole fighter was a great game, tons of fun, tons of missions, really cool plane, good controls and everything. It had a good balance of arcadey fast fun and simulator slow scary gameplay.”
    • “A good balance of arcade and simulator gameplay.”
    • “You get a game that is a military simulator in a lighter category, but it still contains a balance of realism and fun gameplay at the same time.”
    • “Multiple gameplay errors.”
    • “The gameplay is slow and bland/boring.”
    • “-boring gameplay.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid optimization, running smoothly after initial setup. It includes features for tracking player stats and a scoring system that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “After that, it runs smoothly.”
    • “Tips for game optimization.”
    • “It also tracks your stats and has a scoring and flight rank promotion system based on your mission performance.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is described as lacking quality, contributing to an overall arcade feel rather than a more immersive simulation experience. Reviewers noted that both the soundtrack and audio effects are subpar, detracting from the game's overall atmosphere.

    • “The enormous loadout of the plane in this game, along with its default soundtrack during missions, makes the game feel more like an arcade compared to the other simcades Novalogic made in that period (F-16 and MiG-29).”
    • “The audio (sound/music) isn't that great either.”
    • “Poor audio (sounds and music).”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a task that requires an immense commitment, akin to needing a second life to manage it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally better than other similar titles, with fewer bugs reported. However, users have experienced freezing issues, particularly when attempting to change video resolutions.

    • “I can't change the video resolutions, it freezes!!!”
    • “I can't change the video resolutions, it freezes!!!”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers note that despite being an older game, enhancements in resolution significantly boost its playability, contributing to its replayability.

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