F-22 Interceptor review - Sega Megadrive
Fancy flying the deadliest Fighter ever devised, before the real pilots get their hands on it? The first flight sim ever for the Megadrive enables you to do just that, and even creates a few war zones for you to fly it in!
The game starts with you choosing what sort of difficulty level you'd like to see in the game. This ranges from CADET level (where completing each level is about as difficult as going to the toilet), TRAINING level (slightly harder, but still pretty easy) and COMBAT level (a real kack-your-trousers job).
After that it's just a case of choosing where you want your mission to take place. You could opt for basic F-22 flight training in the USA or attempt “the real thing” in the like of Iraq, or even Russia (even if they're our mates now). For real flying heroes, there's even an Aces challenge, where your F-22 is pitted against the best the enemy can throw at you. The basic gameplay involves taking off from friendly territory and making your way through many sub-missions which could range from taking out MiGs to bombarding enemy bases with radar-guided missiles and mavericks. All this explosive action is interspersed at intervals by attempting a rendezvous with a refuelling tanker. Here, extra weapons, fuel and repairs are carried out on your battle-damaged fighter, thus enabling you to carry out some more sorties behind enemy lines. The mission ends when you return to friendly territory and safely land.
What the Mean Machines staff thought
The first ever flight sim on the Megadrive turns out to be one of the most enjoyable I've ever played. This must be due to the fact that all the annoying fiddly controls have been taken out. Instead you just control the afterburners, missiles and the cannon. Combinations of buttons give you more options, but I guarantee you won't need them! The action itself is so exciting and varied you just keep coming back. One moment you're fighting off an entire squadron of MiGs, the next you're strafing enemy HQ, then you're refuelling…the list of things to do is virtually endless, and with the mission creator added in, lastability is guaranteed. All of the aircraft fly about very convincing and considering the Megadrive isn't so great with polygons, the action is fast and fluid. EA strike gold once again with a truly riveting game. |
Electronic Arts strike again with yet another Megagame (if this company was an athlete it would be tested for steroids)! F-22 is the first ever console combat/flight simulator, and it's simply superb. The screenshots on this page certainly don't do the game any justice - you need to play the game to appreciate it. The ground details are sparse, but what you concentrate on are the targets and enemy planes, and these are smooth, detailed and realistic! Wait until you've got five aircraft all hurtling around trying to stick a missile up your exhaust port! The sheer depth is incredible, and there are tons of missions to challenge even the most skilled of top guns! And even if you conquer them all, you can use the “create mission” option to engage in kamikaze laffs 'n' high jinks. With its wealth of options, different viewpoints, brilliant touches (watch for sun glare and be careful the pilot doesn't pass out in combat due to excessive g-forces!), stunning presentation and challenging, thoroughly addictive gameplay, F-22 is not only another prime example of how advanced and complex console games can be, it's also a fantastic game in its own right. Test fly it as soon as possible. |
Retrospective comments
My grandad gave me £40 for my birthday one year and I bought F-22 Interceptor. Then I leant it to my mate, Seth, who melted it. |
Have your say about F-22 Interceptor
MOB - 29 Jan 2008, 23:37 GMT
I found Seth on Facebook and gave him a link to this page.
He hasn't replied yet......I wonder if he thinks that I am out for REVENGE }:o[
Mwaaa Ha Ha Ha Ha (I think that's how you spell Mwaaa)
Dan - 10 Mar 2009, 15:43 GMT
Such a simple game, but fun none-the less. Peice of piss n soon got tiresome, but likeable fer sure.
Mark Gatehouse - 18 Sep 2009, 13:15 GMT
I recently bought a Megadrive II just so I could play this game again, around 20 years after I last played it !
I couldn't disagree more with the review above. The gameplay is still cracking and though the graphics do of course look dated, they are adequate and as always, it's gameplay that matters most
A cracking flight sim that's still enjoyable today for all the right reasons. Big thums up !
Leave a comment
Please leave a comment :