AFTERBURN

Update: After a couple of play after my previous review, I am revising my evaluation. In fact, this is one of the worst PC games I have ever played. After Mission 5, it is just an absolute mess of randomness, with no control over the plane or even the chance to grasp what is happening. You are against more than 100 (!) planes with similar capabilites than your own. Controls do not work, the plane flies like a spaceship with random slips. It is impossible to avoid enemy fire as you cannot constantly do barrel rolls. No matter which weapon you have, it overheats, so you cannot even constantly fire. It is just retarded. Unplayable. A game that has solid foundations, but ruined by the lack of content, variety, and brutal RNG. The premise is fine for the first couple of missions, but then endless repetition kicks in, with a rather limited number of enemy types, extremely random hit detection and the fact that if you die, you have to start the whole level from the beginning. It is a shame, as there is really a good basis for a solid shooter, but as I progressed in the game I enjoyed it less and less. For 1-2 bucks, it would be fine, but 10 USD is just too much for such a game.

This is actually a VERY good dog fighting game. As far as flying goes it is smooth and the different planes matter a ton. The weapons also change play style in drastic ways. My only negative point is I wish it had even more variety with those things but for what you get it is short and well worth it.

Does what it do and does it well

Most amazing game if you are into S2A or A2A combats. Level designs: Perfect for the dog fights. Progression: Slowly increasing difficulty level and finally air superiority dog fights. Air enemies: Falcons - easy when single and tough when multiple Valkries - be careful when fighting from face 2 face.. try to run around them. Cargos - Very peaceful unless start throwing mines Ground enemies: Radars - Wont fight back until couple of levels when they start throwing mines Aircraft models: 3 different Jets and each with few variants so you can adjust Armor vs Maneuverability Vs Type of weapons Must give a try if you are into Air simulation / fighter aircrafts with lightweight but awesome graphics.

AFTERBURN is a very simple game at its core...but man does it push the limits of whatever "fighter-pilot" reflexes you have. You get a few aircraft with different strengths and weaknesses, as well as weapon choices unique to each of them, with some overlaps. Then you saddle up for a regularly-changing daily campaign with, well, underpopulated leaderboards (good for the achievement though!). The actual gameplay involves a lot of maniac flying on your end as you barrel roll through barrages of enemy aircraft that always outnumber you and do flips to gun you down, cargo ships that dispense floating, homing air mines, and radar sites that also house SAM launchers. You get an infinite terrain to zip around in as you dodge, roll and explode your enemies one by one...or you get exploded first. AFTERBURN is easy to pick up, hard to master due to its fluid controls that work really well on a controller or Steam Deck, it strikes that middle ground where you die without feeling demoralised, and immediately go another round until you stop dying or are satisfied with your score. Definitely worth the price.

Fun & simple, I liked it. Good combat flight sim when you're looking for more "combat" and less "flight sim." Graphics have old-school feel without looking dated, more polygons and less "beautifully rendered vistas," which is fine with me, because I'm not on a sightseeing trip - I came to f*** sh*t up. I'd like more variety of planes & weapons but this might help if you're getting the shakes waiting for the next Project Wingman or Ace Combat. This is a positive review.