The most realistic F16 sim there is (Falcon 4.0 (PC))

Member Name: Pamsy

Product:	Falcon 4.0 (PC)
Date:	12/11/00 (574 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great graphics, very realistic

Disadvantages: game crashes often, hard to learn

The game revolves around a hypothetical war set in Korea. There are three forms of campaign, each with the war in a different situation and time. As an F-16 block 50/52 fighter pilot(US designed modern multirole fighter plane now operated by many nations) you must rage war against the DPRK in a large scale conflict between the US/ROK(South Korea) alliance and the DPRK/China alliance.

What really makes this game stand out is that it is the most non-linear game currently out. Even while you plan your next flight the war is raging on (with commentary of events, downed aircraft etc.)and the clock is ticking. Missions can range from interdiction to destroying steel mills supplying weapons to the enemy to a low level recon of an airfield. You choose which mission you fly in (which unfortunately isn't realistic, but you can leave the ones they have chosen if it bothers you).

You will never get the same campaign twice, as if you decide to bomb a group of tanks with surplus bombs it has a real effect on the outcome of the war, an interdiction mission may be cancelled because you suppressed forces in an area enough. The game is so realistic that you must call for chopper evac. before you eject if you wish not to be missing in action, and if you're out of bombs or air-air missies, you can get your wingmen to use theirs on a desired target.

The game is very faithful to the F-16, and the manual is 600 pages long, though settings can be altered to make the game easier to pick up and there are many tuition missions.

Scenery looks amazing at all altitude even on a reasonably low spec PC, but the sounds are a little dissapointing. The external views of your aircraft are great but impractical, and the noise outside your aircraft is a repetitive wind.

There is a multiplayer option also which allows you to compete in large air-air battles online which is very good.

This game should definitely not be bought as a first ever
flight sim unless you have a major interest in modern military aircraft, as it would need to be played on simple settings which make the gameplay shallow. However if you want the most realisic experience you can get short of becoming an air force pilot, this game is the one to buy.

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