DISCLAIMER: Please note that The Le Games purchased this product for a freelancer as payment. This is technically his review. The Le Games is not affiliated with this product or it's publishers in any way.
REVIEW: There is always a place for games which are simple, complete and based on an interesting subject. With Blazing Jets, FJGaming brings these ideas to the combat between NATO and Warsaw Pact air forces, providing a game which is quick and enjoyable. The download comes complete with all necessary maps, counters, charts and statistics. The basic game uses one or two aircraft per side which manoeuvre on a square grid map within a small number of height bands. In other words, the planes very quickly move into range of each other and then use tactics to shoot down the opposition without offering a target in return. Advanced rules include such complications as airstrips, aircraft carriers, helicopters and civilian craft. These are all handled sensibly and will not slow down the game unnecessarily. Above all, the game focuses on the actions of the fighter planes themselves and this makes sure the pace is maintained ? the scale is such that ground units do not move at all and exist mostly as targets to shoot at ? great fun!
The manoeuvres that planes can undertake are at the heart of the system and 20 are listed. As has been seen in other games, including FJGaming?s own Barmy Biplanes, the starting square and orientation and the ending square and orientation are clearly shown and it is easy for planes to move simultaneously. It is also very easy to play the game solitaire just by rolling a dice for which manoeuvre the enemy plane or planes conduct. Additional suggestions provide ways of expanding the action to the Gulf War and Vietnam War and it would not be difficult to expand to other possible actions. A space combat game would also be possible with these rules.
All in all, this is an excellent bargain and a fine game which, while seeming to cover most of the complexities of aerial warfare in the 1970s-90s, does not over-complicate the issue. It will suit anyone games player looking for a short and fun effort at shooting other players out of the sky. Those who are experts in modern aeronautics and who would prefer more complexity can probably add their own to this basic game engine.
John Walsh, Shinawatra International University, August 2004
<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: "It will suit anyone games player looking for a short and fun effort at shooting other players out of the sky."<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars!] |