Well this is my Review of
the new Jane's Simulator F/A-18. Let's start off by saying this is the
one of the most complex simulations that has come out since Falcon 4.0.
The Realism of this Simulation is by far the best that I have ever seen.
Overall
When you load this simulation, best to do a full install to get the most
out of it. I had a very smooth install. My system specs are as follows
AMD K6-2 300 /3D Now.
Voodoo 3 2000
192 Meg SDRAM
First Flight
After the install and starting up this sim I was looking at a F-15 Clone.
But I was going to give it a chance, and what a chance I took. As soon
as I got in the Training Missions just to get going, I went right to
the Carrier Takeoff Mission. I also checked what the default configuration
was and I was at 800x600 Res. The cockpit was on High, and I just left
it there. As soon as I was in the Hornet I was in awe on how well the
cockpit was setup. The colors were very dark. I moved the hat switch
on my stick just to see how well the view was and I was very impressed.
The Voice over for the training missions are done very well. Looking
at the Sky in this Simulation is a Joy. Panning around in the virtual
cockpit just to see what I was in for and what I was going to learning
was overwhelming at first. I then looked ahead and could not believe
that I could see the deck of the carrier pitching from side to side on
the horizon. It was breathtaking. I have been on the decks of ships as
a Merchant Marine, and it almost felt like I was home on a ship again.
One thing that you really want to do is use a Color upgrade to lighten
up the darkness in this sim. Then I was ready for Take off. It was a
Little choppy, but once you are in the air it smoothed out. Jumping off
the Cat in to the dusk sky in this aircraft was awesome. All I can say
is that you have to get this sim to get the feel of what I am saying.
It is well worth flying the mission just to get a feel of taking off
the carrier.
Graphics
If you have F-15 you will fell at home in this one, but there are major
changes. Some other think that this sim should look like USAF. This is
not the case for this one. We all would like sims to look as close to
the real thing, but there are give and takes, in this simulation most
if not all of the work was done for the Flight Model, and that is what
we all are looking for in a simulation, Eyecandy is fine but I want a
sim that will challenge my skills as a pilot. If you want eyecandy USAF
is your sim. I have USAF and I love the fun factor for it and the Graphics.
F/A-18 is for a Hardcore sim pilot, that is worrying about the flight
model.
Flight Model
To be Honest I have only been flying this one for a week, and still learning
and training to fly this aircraft. And let me tell you that flying the
Hornet is no easy task. There is so much data that comes from the Multi
function displays that you will be busy all the time that you are in
the air. All but 5 percent on the buttons work in the cockpit. And that
is a work of art. Hats off to the Jane's team for that one. Constant
Radio Comms are flying at you, that make you feel that you are really
in a real world combat situation. I would add Screenshots to this review
so you could see the Cockpit but that would be a bit much. I do have
some shots of my flying and if you like I will send them out. One thing
I will say is that right now I'm using the Aircraft labels in the sim
just to find out who is who, that is how complex this sim is. Flying
the Hornet is a great joy in this one.
Multiplayer
As we all know F-15 had no Co-op Mission flight. Not the Case in this
one. Full Co-op mission play here. And Rock solid Connects to other players.
Last night I flew 2 missions in the F/A-18 Campaign and no problems at
all, and this was Jane's Combat net. A Full 2 hours in flight, I only
had 1 other player during this Mission run but all in all a great flight,
it did get choppy when I was in the hot zone with AAA and SAMS flying
around but F/A-18 held up with not a problem. There is a text chat feature
in this sim that is not in the flight manual Ctrl-1 and Ctrl-2, Which
is a Must in Co-op Mission Flying in this sim. Just as you need Comms
in Falcon 4, you will need it here.
Campaign
Well this is a real test of a Sims Guts. All I can say is that it is
a Random thing in F/A-18. The first mission is never the same. Missions
can range to Intercept to Just Escort a Recon Mission. I have to say
that Falcon 4.0's Campaign missions are the best on the Market, but don't
cut F/A-18 to short. In the Tools Section go to the mission builder and
hit F1 and you will find the Campaign Builder. Yes the campaign builder,
where you can build custom missions and tie them together. A high aspect
that we the missions builders for all virtual squadrons have been trying
to do for years.
Closing
Well I have given my thoughts of this simulation that I think you will
find useful and from a simpilot that has been flying for sometime now.
I find that F/A-18 has some very good aspects and some flawed that I
hope will be fixed in a patch. Falcon 4.0 brought us out of the Arcade
Flight sim and in to the real world of flying, but F/A-18 has given us
just a little more of that world, and I really would like to see more
things to make the Flight simulations from Jane's get better in this
aspect. I'm still taking notes for a part 2 of this review, but these
are my first thoughts of F/A-18. I Highly Recommend this Simulation for
a virtual Squadron to take in to the fold.
Jetfire
183rd Steel Talons
VFA-83 Hell's Hornets
Virtual Military
random irc quote: <Paul1212> My reality was worse than yours. No one ever tried to kick my ass. No one ever offered me drugs. I didn't exist, I guess.. 8-(
