The emotionally
dramatic and historical impact of World War II has left a last impression on the
world and it’s many stories have inspired not only Hollywood to continue making
movies about it but it has also brought out some spectacular (and not so
spectacular) games. While games like Medal of Honor: Frontline or Call
of Duty have been lighting up our Xbox as soldiers, aerial combat games are
very scarce on our favorite black box. So it’s come as a pleasant surprise to
see Ubisoft bring us Heroes of the Pacific for the Xbox.
Much like the
LucasArts World War II fighter pilot game Secret Weapons Over Normandy,
Heroes also brings its objective-based mission structure that also strays
from the world of complex flight simulator. The game tells the story of a Navy
pilot named Crowe who enlisted because of his brother and, while stationed in
Pearl Harbor on the fateful day of the Japanese attacks, is tossed into the
beginning of war for the United States. Discovering your brother’s ship sunk by
a feisty and skillful squad of Japanese pilots, you set out to war with revenge
on your mind. Soon, not only do you get knee-deep in the war’s most famous
aerial conflicts but you also try to track down the Japanese squadron for a
little payback.
Crowe’s loyalty
to his country, though, finds him going off to battle using a choice of
America’s best flying and fighting machines. The bulk of the missions are
concentrated in the South Pacific Theatre where Japanese fleets have
concentrated their positions, it’s also the spot where many of the war’s
fiercest air and sea battles took place so you will relive them in all their
vicious glory. Many of the missions have multiple objectives but it’s the main
objectives that are ones thrill seekers will love the most. Some missions have
you performing a bombing raid on different positions that are marked for you on
screen. You’ll even have to dive bomb, launching torpedoes to sink Japanese
battleships.
The game does go
for historical accuracy so you will lend a hand in evacuating Wake Island and
further down the line you’ll be in the thick of some truly devastating battles
at Midway. Punctuated by real footage of air battles and a number of planes to
unlock that are true to the period, this is a game that attempts to bring us a
true aerial war game and pulls it off nicely. As for the controls, though, don’t
expect a simulator. Think of it more like Crimson Skies with more
emphasis on action and fancy flying. Even when you stray from the main Campaign
mode you’ll find the same type of loose action in a series of historical
scenarios that are unlocked by playing the main game mode. There’s also online
multiplayer that, while able to put you in the air with up to eight players in
total, possesses some pretty basic deathmatch, capture the flag and a pretty
good defend mode (where you attempt to defend your carrier from your enemies).
Heroes
is also a great-looking Xbox game with crisp plane models and excellent effects.
The planes look great in action and even more so when they’re lit up on fire or
exploding. Through gorgeous skies filled with even more beautiful clouds, the
battles look intense and realistic enough that it will not fail to bring to mind
the images seen in actual footage of dogfights. Cannons from below will fire,
leaving spectacular black clouds and when you attempt to sink some ships you’ll
be treated to the sparkling waters of the South Pacific.
As for the
game’s sound, it’s score is wonderfully appropriate and its voice acting true to
the times and the Navy flyboy lingo. Often times, though, the dialogue tries too
hard to be 1940s and derogatory terms for the Japanese is used often. Still it’s
the game’s sound effects that will catch you off guard. The sound effects are
amazing, especially if you have a good sound system. You’ll hear gunfire,
explosions, engines and even authentic sounding communications via radio. It
does a good job of giving gamers the impression they’re in the thick of aerial
combat.
One of the most
satisfying air combat games you’ll find, Heroes of the Pacific might not
be unique but it sure is quite a blast to fly these unfriendly skies. Some
gamers might prefer the more complicated simulator style that might be more
realistic but less flashy when it comes to the fun last-minute maneuvering you
get with the more arcade-like style. You can’t go wrong buying this one if you
love flight combat at its most thrilling.
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Gameplay: 8.0
For those
looking for a strict flight/combat simulator be prepared to be disappointed but
if you’re looking for a more arcade-like, high-flying action game with a healthy
campaign mode the game has the goods. There are a good number of missions and
the controls are decent.
Graphics: 8.5
The visuals
are pretty sharp and the planes look good in action but it’s the various
explosions and enemy planes going down in flames that bring WWII authenticity to
the game’s overall look. Even the ocean and enemy crafts look good.
Sound: 7.9
Play this one
with a good sound system because the explosions, engine sound and machinegun
fire will not sound the same without good surround sound. The voice acting tries
too hard to mimic the period but it’s not bad either. And nothing sounds cooler
than the engines of American fighter planes.
Difficulty:
Medium
Because of the
loose control scheme, flying is less complex and that’s perfect since you’ll be
concentrating on dogfights. The enemy is pretty smart and can maneuver with the
best of them so you and your teammates will have to keep on your toes.
Concept: 7.5
The game takes
you through the war’s most brutal aerial campaigns in the South Pacific Theatre.
There are plenty of great planes to unlock and use in your favorite mission but
other than that there’s not much to go back to when you’re finished. Online
support is available, although it’s not as great as it could have been.
Multiplayer:
7.0
There’s Xbox
Live multiplayer support but there’s some pretty sparse game modes and the
framerate is a bit choppy at times. That’s too bad, really, seeing as this could
have given fans of Crimson Skies something to cheer about.
Overall: 8.0
Heroes of
the Pacific is
an enjoyable high-flying aerial combat game that might not be a true simulator
but it’s packed with enough action to make it a game worth playing for any
flight-game aficionado. So the objective-based missions have been done before
but this game handles the action and the WWII situations good enough.
