I love air combat games; especially when they are rooted in some sort of historical context like the old Aces Over the Pacific or Blazing Angels franchises. Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China released a few weeks ago on Steam Early Access, and I have been completely captivated by this title that just keeps getting better and better with each new update leading up to its official release.
Flying Tigers covers the relatively unknown events of America’s secret volunteer squadrons that flew against Japan in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre of WWII. The game includes a robust single-player campaign as well as Challenge modes, Dogfighting, Free Flight mode, and of course, 16-player online battles where you can dominate the skies. As of this review about half of the campaign missions are available and they just added two Challenge stages. The newest campaign mission adds new features like torpedo-bombers and an exciting gunner sequence in the top turret of a bomber.
And that is what I really love about Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China; the variety. Every mission has you flying a new plane for a new faction of the war over new territory. Plus, the missions are generally of epic length with multiple parts that will often take 20-30 minutes to complete and span multiple flight wings from various nations. Thankfully the game checkpoints after each significant encounter, so if you do fail you won’t have to replay too much.
I’ll go on the record right here and now that this game looks every bit as good (if not better) than any of the most recent Ace Combat games. That series relied on high-altitude combat and satellite photography for the most part and things got a bit ugly when you got near the ground. Not so in Flying Tigers. This game looks as good soaring above the clouds as it does skimming the surface of a city or following a river winding through a jungle. The game does not shy away from detail, whether it is buildings, trees, or some of the best wavy ocean water I’ve ever seen. There are intense weather effects and some of the most beautiful god rays streaking through the clouds I’ve seen since Far Cry 4. The sky box is 100% photorealistic. For a real treat, use the D-pad to pan the camera around your plane and relish in the smallest of details like fully functional control surfaces and even a pilot that turns to look at you.
Playing the most recent chapter I was doing a torpedo run on a derelict tanker. I dropped my torpedo and pulled up then switched to the rear cam to watch a realistic torpedo trail streaking toward the hull, make impact sending out a perfect circular concussion wave just before the ship burst into flames. I appreciate they put that much detail into something that you might not ever see if you weren’t holding down the Y button.
Speaking of buttons, the controls are awesome with just the right mix of sim and arcade – heavy on the arcade. Triggers control your throttle while the shoulder buttons control your rudder. Flicking the right stick to either side will execute a special barrel roll while clicking down on the left stick will execute a defensive loop that can often put a pursuer in your gun sights. And then you have TrazerTime, a slow-motion “bullet-time for planes” if you will, that allows you to precisely target ground and air targets.
Keep in mind; this is 1940’s combat, so you don’t have the luxury of lock-on missiles. In Ace Combat you wait for a tone, double-tap the fire button and wait for the explosion…yawn…and repeat. Every air battle in Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China is a dogfight where you must lead your target and compensate for their defensive moves, and there are no laser-guided smart bombs, so every bombing run must be precise. TrazerTime really helps compensate for the lack in aviation combat technology, and it never feels like cheating but more like a seasoned pilot using his own adrenalized instincts.
The audio package is a mixed bag. The music is thrilling and really adds to the experience; even in the opening splash screen and menu, but the voice acting is a bit ham-fisted and loaded with thick accents that will make you appreciate the subtitles. It’s a shame that a game that is so rooted in realism from stunning visuals to authentic mission content almost gets comical from the cheesy voice acting. I will give props for using the Metal Gear Solid “alert sound” when an enemy is targeting you. Classic.
Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China is shaping up to be a major contender for best flight action combat in 2015 when it releases later this year, but you don’t have to wait. The game is already available on Steam Early Access, so you can start playing now and enjoy exciting new content with each developer update. With more missions, modes, and planes on the way this is the way you do an Early Access title.
I was going to hold off on my review until the game was finished but Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China is so good I wanted to spread the word so you could start playing now. While I reserve the right to adjust my score when the game is finished, I can honestly only see this game getting better the more content they add.
Bought the game on steam and I’m loving it. Good review btw
It is really good – the sleeper hit of the fall gaming season. I can’t even think of any air-combat games coming out to compete with it.
I’m new to this game, the lack of save and continue really suck.
Twice now, I’ve gotten to same point I’m still in training mode. I got past everything except saving the plane from a bunch of zeros. I quit the game to desktop and next day I’m back to shooting down the barrage balloons and have to start the training completely over. WTF!!1
The game does checkpoint saves while you are still in the missions but those won’t stick if you leave the game or back out to main menu.