Tiny Combat Arena
- February 21, 2022
- Why485
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Tiny Combat Arena" is a sim-lite combat flight simulation game set in a fictional Cold War-era conflict, with a focus on fun and accessible air combat experience. It features a quick mission builder and stylized graphics, with added simulation elements for deeper gameplay. The game encourages tactical maneuvers like boosting missile range by launching from above the target.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic feel of 90s flight sims, providing a fun and accessible experience.
- The flight mechanics are enjoyable, striking a balance between arcade and simulation, making it easy to pick up and play.
- The developer is actively engaged with the community and regularly updates the game, showing promise for future content.
- Currently, there is a lack of content, with only one flyable aircraft and limited game modes available.
- The AI behavior is simplistic, and enemy units often lack challenge, making gameplay feel repetitive.
- The controls can be awkward, especially for mouse and keyboard users, and some players have reported issues with joystick compatibility.
- graphics121 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro aesthetic reminiscent of 90s flight simulators, featuring simplistic yet polished vector graphics that appeal to nostalgia. While not as realistic as modern simulations like DCS or FS2020, the visuals are colorful, smooth, and perform well on lower-end hardware, making the game accessible to a wider audience. Overall, the minimalist art style enhances gameplay without compromising performance, though some players feel it could benefit from additional content.
“I adore the aesthetics - both while flying and in the game menus.”
“Its stylized visuals reminiscent of classic flight games like Harrier Jump Jet, F-29, or Carrier Command draw you in, while the intense dogfighting and tactical mission options keep you hooked.”
“The graphics may not be on par with those of DCS, IL2, or FS2020, but they have a charming, retro aesthetic that is reminiscent of classic flight simulators.”
“Graphically, there are echoes of A-10 Cuba while the gameplay hearkens back to the early PC/Amiga flight sims that didn't require 40 hours of self-study and dozens of YouTube tutorials to figure out how to achieve a missile lock.”
“I do not like the trend towards the pixelated simplistic graphics with some games coming out, even as they call it 'retro'.”
- story93 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is notably lacking, with no overarching narrative or campaign mode currently available. Players express a desire for more varied and engaging missions, as the existing content feels repetitive and basic, primarily revolving around simple objectives like supporting ground units. While the flight mechanics and mission editor show potential, the overall experience is described as bare-bones, leaving many hoping for future updates to enhance the game's depth and content.
“Its stylish visuals, thrilling dogfights, and diverse mission options invite both casual and hardcore players to take to the skies.”
“The addition of a mission system, the UX improvements, and other additions that the developer has worked tirelessly on the past few months have made this game well worth the money.”
“I'm hoping that we will see more defined missions with varied objectives.”
“There are no missions, no campaigns, and there is only one small map.”
“But very dry since there's no story or setting or atmosphere, just blue vs red team.”
“At this point, I'd only recommend Tiny Combat Arena as a curiosity for those that enjoy old school flight sims, but I think with some additional content -- namely, a more refined mission editor, a loadout editor, and the addition of more threatening ground and naval adversaries -- TCA could really come into its own as a unique and wonderful flight sim.”
- gameplay73 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, offering a blend of arcade-style action and realistic flight mechanics that make it accessible and enjoyable, especially for those familiar with classic flight sims. However, many users express disappointment over the lack of content and major gameplay features, feeling that the game currently resembles a demo rather than a fully realized experience. While the core mechanics are solid and the game runs smoothly, players are eager for more depth and variety to enhance the overall gameplay experience.
“While it's perfectly playable with mouse and keyboard, this is one of the most approachable combat flight sims I've played that offers a complete gameplay loop of take off, combat, and landing.”
“With a focus on aerial combat, the game presents a unique blend of arcade-style action and realistic flight mechanics.”
“I am genuinely surprised by how enjoyable the flight mechanics and moment-to-moment combat are in this game, and I think the game has established a strong foundation to build off of going forward.”
“Added to that, the actual gameplay is absent.”
“Well sadly after more than a year I cannot suggest this game, first of all due to lack of content, currently there is nothing more than a bunch of planes and land vehicles; secondly, the lack of everything that could implement the gameplay, no dynamic campaign, no airport operations or air-to-air refuel, even zero ships... that game could be the successor of great games like Jane's or Total Air War but for now, it's a no sadly.”
“All the important gameplay features and mechanics were cut prior to release, and all suggestions that could improve the longevity of the game like VR and mod support are denied due to their laziness.”
- music11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect has received mixed feedback, with some players noting the absence of in-game music and suggesting they play their own playlists for an enhanced experience. While the sound design and audio effects are praised, many players reminisce about classic soundtracks from older flight simulators, indicating a desire for nostalgic music to accompany the gameplay. Overall, the lack of original music has led players to seek external soundtracks to fill the void.
“The game's sound design is also commendable, with immersive audio effects and a thrilling soundtrack that adds to the overall experience.”
“Being over 40, as soon as I saw the MicroProse loading screen logo, the B-17 Flying Fortress music started playing in my head.”
“My only complaint is there is no music in the game, so either watch a video on the side or bring your own.”
“There is no music, or audio in the menus.”
“I usually accompany it with a synthwave/punkwave playlist; may that be my suggestion for a soundtrack!”
- optimization11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly optimized, running smoothly across a range of hardware, from low-end systems to ultrawide screens, with responsive controls on both traditional setups and the Steam Deck. Its simple art style contributes to minimal performance issues, although some minor slowdowns may occur during intense dogfights. Overall, players appreciate the solid performance and realistic flight physics, making it a recommendable choice for fans of flight simulators.
“The game runs smoothly and the controls feel just as responsive on the Steam Deck as they do on a traditional gaming setup.”
“I just played half an hour to test the game and it runs perfectly on my ultrawide screen; it's very well optimized, and the handover is very quick and easy.”
“The simple art style allows for less performance issues, which is great!”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is seen as promising but currently limited due to a lack of playable aircraft and missions that feel unsatisfying. While some players appreciate the depth and tight controls, they express a strong desire for more content, such as additional planes and missions, to enhance the experience. Many believe that future updates could significantly improve replayability, making it more appealing for dedicated flight simulation fans.
“For starters, replayability; you start out either on a ramp, a runway, or in the sky in an AV-8B Harrier. You can pick between a ton of different loadouts, even when there's also a secret code for you to fly the other planes!”
“The controls are tight, and the game has enough nuance to make it deeper than it looks, and very replayable.”
“I can only imagine when later iterations come out and more planes, weapons, etc. are added, it'll make this infinitely replayable.”
“The missions that are playable also feel lackluster and unsatisfying.”
“Wish the other jets were playable.”
“However, there is enough depth and replayability even at the time of early access release that an avid flight simmer would be able to have good fun, especially with the finesse gained from a HOTAS setup and TrackIR.”
- stability8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on various hardware, including entry-level GPUs and the Steam Deck, many users report significant bugs that hinder gameplay. Some players find it relatively bug-free for an early access title, but others have experienced frustrating control issues, leading to refunds.
“The game runs great on entry-level GPUs and supports gamepads, joystick, or HOTAS setups.”
“Still very good as of right now, pretty bug-free for an indie release in early access.”
“The game is really nice, plus runs great (40 to 60 fps) on my old laptop with no dedicated graphics card (running Intel 4400 something).”
“The game has some promise, but as of right now, it is too buggy.”
“I do not have a problem supporting early access, but this game is too buggy to be released.”
“Controls were buggy and I couldn't get them to work other than flying with my mouse, which isn’t practical for me. I refunded the game.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players find grinding in games like War Thunder to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time to unlock desirable content. While some alternatives exist, such as DCS, they may also present their own complexities, leaving players feeling overwhelmed by the grinding aspect in military simulations.
“Nuclear option exists now, so this isn't really the only game in town for casual military sim that isn't grinding hell PvP War Thunder anymore.”
“This can result in the final boss being super tedious and boring to defeat.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“DCS can be overly complicated, and War Thunder requires a lifetime of grinding to get the good jets.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing flight mechanics and quirky elements, such as the VTOL features. Players find the overall experience entertaining, particularly with the engaging demo showcasing three planes and improved flight dynamics.
“The VTOL is a bit funny still, but I'm sure it'll get worked on.”
“It's funny because the demo had 3 planes and the flight model felt much better.”
“Funny plane game, very good.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is criticized for being lacking and uninspired, with reviewers noting the absence of a compelling story or setting, reducing the experience to a simplistic blue versus red team dynamic.
“The atmosphere feels very dry since there's no story, setting, or immersive elements; it's just blue vs. red team.”
“The game lacks any real atmosphere, making it feel empty and uninspired.”
“Without a compelling atmosphere, the gameplay becomes monotonous and forgettable.”
