What's Good	What's Bad	4.0 out of 5.0
Excellent graphics Ease of use Top-flight flight-models	Sub-par sound effects No campaigns Scripted missions

Unfortunately, the arena of flight sims has been conspicuously restricted to jets. The F-117, F-14, F-15, F-16, and virtually any other "F" series fighter in existence have been simulated numerous times, with varying degrees of success. 'But', say flight purists, 'what about prop planes?!? Weren't the Mustangs and Thunderbolts of WWII as important?'

The sim giants, however, wouldn't buy it, until MicroProse released 'European Air War', which became an instant hit. Not to be outdone, however, Microsoft and it's growing game division saw the "window of opportunity" and soon released their own WWII flight simulator, titled, aptly enough, Combat Flight Simulator.

Ah, yes, World War II. Pilots those days had it so much more difficult than the jet jocks of today. No radar, guided missiles, or electronic countermeasures. CFS captures this era of flight combat -- where the dogfight, born in WWI, entered adolescence.

In 'Combat Flight Simulator', you are given a choice of aircraft ranging from the formidable British Spitfire to the first operational jet interceptor, the Me-262. Each aircraft represents a different challenge, and the problems with each are unique. Gun jams, stalls, engines overheating, and even 'flameouts' in the case of the Me262. Malfunctions can happen anytime. For example, you're flying a combat mission in your P-51D, and just as you're about to line up that crucial fifth kill for your "ace" designation, wouldn't you know, the guns jam. Meanwhile, since you weren't paying attention behind you, an Me-109 shoots your tail off, forcing you to bail out. End of mission.

When I first heard about CFS, my first reaction was, "Oh, great. Flight Simulator 98 with guns attached." That had been one of the key knocks on FS98 -- even the original MS Flight Simulator had a scenario where you could fly a WWI Sopwith Camel. My main concern was the graphics. However, MS has really outdone themselves, with a graphics engine that simulates the different terrains of WWII, complete with historical landmarks. In fact, there is one mission where you are required to fly UNDER the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Not all that realistic, but, hey, it looks great.

On the sound front, this game is, unfortunately, mediocre at best. The explosions, engine sounds, and even weapon release sound very canned. The sound isn't bad. It's just with everything else being such top quality, MS missed the boat with the sound effects. That said, there is still a great immersion factor, from the roar of your engines to the firing of your weapons as you attempt to destroy the enemy targets.

Speaking of targets...there are plenty of them. In "Quick Combat" mode, you don't wait long before you're jumped by enemy fighters. In fact, many pilots I create have died due to my waiting too long. Usually you are dropped into the situation in mid-air, face to face with a wing coming right at you. And unlike modern flight sims and space flight sims, you cannot just afterburner into their midst, guns blazing. There is quite a bit of strategy involved in determining the best way to "divide and conquer" your enemies.

Via Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone, there is full Internet support for CFS, enabling you to do battle with "live" targets, just in case you get bored hunting down the AI-controlled planes.

'Combat Flight Simulator' is not the best WWII flight-simulation out there, but worthy of any flight-sim and history buff. I know I gained a greater deal of respect for the flyboys of yesteryear, as well as the jet jocks of today -- although I still think they have it too easy. CFS makes a great addition to any flight-sim fan's lineup.