Falcon 4.0

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 127 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Falcon 4.0 Game Cover
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"Falcon 4.0" is a cutting-edge flight simulation game that offers realistic graphics, dynamic campaigns, and multiplayer gameplay. It features accurate topographical terrain, detailed radar and weapons simulation, and hyper-realistic flight models. Players can engage in intense air-to-air combat with advanced enemy aircraft while flying detailed replicas of modern military jets. The game also includes a variety of single-player missions and a campaign mode that allows players to experience the challenges of leading a modern air combat squadron.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 127 reviews
replayability1 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Falcon BMS revitalizes the classic Falcon 4.0, offering an unmatched level of detail and realism in flight simulation, especially with its dynamic campaign engine.
  • The BMS mod significantly enhances the original game, providing modern graphics and gameplay features that make it one of the best F-16 simulators available.
  • Despite its age, Falcon 4.0 remains a beloved classic among flight sim enthusiasts, praised for its depth and the dedicated community that continues to support it.
  • The base game is outdated, with poor graphics and a cumbersome control setup that can be frustrating for new players.
  • Many users experience technical issues, such as crashes and compatibility problems with modern systems, making it difficult to run without extensive troubleshooting.
  • The game is primarily a vehicle to access the BMS mod, leading to disappointment for those expecting a standalone experience without the need for additional downloads.
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of Falcon 4.0 are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its origins from the 1990s, and may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to modern titles. While some users find the graphics acceptable and even appreciate the detail in aircraft design, they recommend BMS as a superior alternative that enhances both graphics and gameplay. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, the game's simulation quality remains highly praised.

    • “It's got sexy graphics and the detail of the planes is next level.”
    • “The graphics are optimal: beautiful enough, but you don't need a gamer's power hog PC for it.”
    • “Yes, the graphics aren't cutting edge, but you soon forget that.”
    • “The graphics are outdated but the planning and flight sim has no competition.”
    • “The graphics engine in Falcon comes from the 90's.”
    • “Just be aware that it's an old game so the graphics won't be up to the standards of games like IL-2 and War Thunder, etc.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game's story is intricately woven into its dynamic campaign engine, which simulates real-time warfare across multiple countries, generating missions based on the evolving conflict. Players can engage in various squadrons and missions, allowing for a personalized experience where they can control aerial forces and create complex mission schedules, all while benefiting from AI assistance. The extensive manual, crafted by experienced F-16 pilots, adds depth to the narrative by providing insights into the aircraft and its operational context.

    • “At the heart of the game is the dynamic campaign engine, which handles the war across several countries in real-time, generating missions for all forces present on the map on the fly, working together towards whatever current goal is.”
    • “Not only are you able to select squadrons or missions to partake in, but also control as many or as few aerial forces as you wish, by creating missions or even complex schedules for multiple flights to cooperate and even jump into active planes at any time - while campaign AI is able to handle everything you don't want to bother with.”
    • “The manual itself is a massive binder - almost all flight sim fans should try to read the manual while going through various training missions as it explains various aspects of the F-16 which you won't ever get in a conventional book - this was written by various F-16 pilots who have flown across the world and have been influential towards the game's development.”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks a cohesive narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Character development is minimal, leaving players with little emotional investment in the outcomes.”
    • “The dialogue is often clichéd and uninspired, failing to add depth to the overall experience.”
  • gameplay3 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its depth and quality, often considered superior to newer titles despite dated graphics. Users recommend the updated version, BMS, for its enhanced realism and features, asserting that it outperforms competitors like DCS in gameplay experience.

    • “Graphics may be dated for newcomers, but the gameplay, as always with older games, is second to none.”
    • “I strongly recommend BMS over the original, as it is significantly better in all respects: graphics, gameplay, realism, features, etc.”
    • “DCS looks better, but this game surpasses it in gameplay by 100%.”
    • “Graphics would be dated for newcomers, but the gameplay, as always with older games, is second to none.”
    • “I strongly recommend BMS over the original, since it is so much better in all respects: graphics, gameplay, realism, features, etc.”
    • “DCS looks better, but this beats it gameplay-wise 100%.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Users find the initial setup for controls to be tedious, but note that it is a one-time process, suggesting that while it may be frustrating at first, it does not impact the overall gameplay experience in the long run.

    • “Setting it up for the first time is rather tedious, but only needs to be done once.”
    • “The grinding feels repetitive and lacks any real sense of progression.”
    • “I found the grinding to be a mind-numbing experience that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through its dynamic campaign and a vibrant multiplayer community, encouraging players to return for new experiences and interactions.

    • “It also has a dynamic campaign for replayability, and an active multiplayer base.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The stability of the simulation has significantly improved with the addition of the BMS add-on, transforming it from a previously buggy and outdated experience into a well-crafted and detailed simulation that meets long-awaited expectations.

    • “Adding the BMS add-on takes this beautifully modeled sim (and it is incredible, to the last detail) from an aging, buggy experience (it was rushed released back in 1998 for the Christmas market) to something we waited a very long time for.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted my gameplay, which is disappointing given the potential of the game.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is seen as a significant improvement over DCS, addressing issues of low performance and frequent crashes, despite only slight visual enhancements.

    • “It offers a serious alternative to the declining state of DCS, especially if you are, like me, frustrated with low performance and constant application crashes, even if it looks marginally better visually.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimization, making the game run efficiently without sacrificing too much on graphics.”
    • “It offers a serious alternative to the declining state of DCS, especially if you are like me frustrated with low performance and constant application crashes, even if it looks marginally better visually.”
    • “The optimization is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and an overall choppy experience.”
    • “Despite its potential, the game struggles with optimization issues that make it nearly unplayable on mid-range systems.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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