Title: Secret Weapons Over Normandy
Platform: PC, PS2, GC, Xbox
Developer: Totally Games
Publisher: LucasArts
Game genre: simulation
Requirements: P3-850, 256MB RAM, 32MB 3D Card
Recommended: P4-2.0, 512MB RAM, 64MB 3D Card
Thus, among the flight simulation on the World War II completion. However, to call Secret Weapons Over Normandy simulator, however, like the rest of "Fly" from LucasArts, is possible only with great reserve. But although in comparison with the same IL-2 flight model has been greatly simplified, realism, and opportunities in this toy more than the usual arcade. Each plane has 4 main characteristics: speed, armor, maneuverability and firepower. And for the first three features can be upgraded to produce multiple levels (up to third level). Another four types of upgrades can increase the maximum ammo for each of the types of weapons, respectively.
The most realistic in the game made it weapons. Each aircraft his caliber and number of machine guns. The game has additional weapons - large-caliber guns 37 and 57 mm, bombs, missiles and torpedoes. It also is consistent with the actual samples. For example, the torpedo can be reset only with a strictly defined height, and the turret B-17 turns to the real speed, but not as we would like the player. Gradually to the player receives more exotic munitions - guided torpedoes Henschel 294, a guided missile Henschel 293 and Ruhrstahl X-4, equipped with cameras (and this during the WWII!). And yet we can not say that arming Reproduced with simulyatornoy accuracy. For example, the return is completely absent, and ammunition, as a rule, considerably greater than the real, so the lack of ammo is almost never arise.
Physical model was fairly simplified. Breaking the plane into a spin you do not succeed, he simply lowers his nose and is not managed properly, yet once again picks up speed. To break up, will also have to try. If you do not hit the ground at a steep angle, and just lie down on her belly, then so be it slide on it without any harm, and the trees are not an obstacle. Planting, respectively, also holds a purely arbitrary. Sometimes it is better to fly through the sign with an arrow that appears over the center lane. Another sign of the arcade is a line of energy. Although she has the will, the essence remains the same. Severely damaged the plane starts to smoke, and the motor works intermittently. But on the behavior of the machine that does not affect.
The game's plot is built around a confrontation between an elite squadron of Allied Battlehawks and their German opponents - Nemesis squadron headed by the famous ace Colonel Krieger. The campaign consists of required and optional missions. Mandatory part of all linear and represents a set of 15 missions, which is set in the vast territory from the Pacific to the British Isles. By the way, the mission of Stalingrad you will fight side by side with Soviet pilots ace Lydia Litvyak, setting the world record for a female fighter (11 kills himself and 3 - in a group of enemy planes). Generally, the parallels with real historical events - one of the strengths of the game. So here the author can put a solid top five.
As you progress through the main part of the campaign missions, the player receives an additional job. They come in two forms: tutorials, are training, and challenges, combat missions, which are usually limited to the destruction of as many opponents.
All missions are top, extra and bonus targets. As a rule, initially you are aware of only 1-2 goals, others have added to the course. Bonus targets are unknown to the player, and run them only casually. The reward for completing missions and the implementation of additional and bonus targets are new opportunities for upgrades and new planes.
Here we come to the most important thing - aircraft. Models are made fairly high quality, and all correspond to the real machine, or at least, is in development projects. Cockpits of the game are missing, but with a third person to fly a rather convenient. According to the developers, the player can get access to 26 cars. Among them, Hurricane, Spitfire, P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, B-17G Flying Fortress (although it'll give you fly only as an arrow), the German Me 109, Me 110, FW 190, He 111 and the Soviet Il- 2. This is not a complete list of on what you have to show the wonders of piloting. And with a little editing HangarPlanes.xml can be accessed even by several aircraft, including two surprises from LucasArts - X-Wing and TIE Fighter from Star Wars. " Of course, they do not have some outstanding features, but great variety to the game.
Now let's talk about the shortcomings of the game. Secret Weapons Over Normandy came as a version for consoles, as well as in versions for the PC. Therefore, graphics, gazing on the PS2 just fine, causing some confusion on the PC. The relief of suffering angularity, and the trees are made not at the highest level. Aircraft and land vehicles generally drawn pretty well, though here and there noticeable angularity of round parts. Shoot down the plane explode and fall apart completely realistic, but a wounded land vehicles totally unrealistic jumps high into the air, while remaining apparently intact. Form, as already mentioned, only the third person, and you can look at your plane, and there is no possibility of normal spin it and zoom in (there is only opportunity to fix the mind on the goal). Another drawback - the system of conservation based on checkpoints, inherited from the game consoles. In flight, they write "Checkpoint", and with death, you can continue from this location. The bad news is that the remembered only the last checkpoint, and it happens automatically - that is, it is possible that you write in a situation last breath, and you have to put a huge effort not to die again.
In general, the game is pretty exciting, dynamic and colorful. If you do not want to deal with the subtleties of governance in the IL-2 ", the Secret Weapons Over Normandy is a good choice. And although the schedule for such requests to the hardware could be better, this shortcoming is completely repaid interesting storyline and exciting action.
|
