Back in 2001, Buka released a title called
Echelon. This was a slower-paced flight title that may not have been huge on
actual combat speed, but did a very good job in graphically capturing the
mechanics of flight on the PC.
Well, it’s back … in a manner of speaking.
Echelon: Wind Warriors is the updated version
of the original title and while this is indeed a complete PC program in itself,
the game does feature many of the initial elements of the original title.
Graphically, this title is very much the same, and nothing brought that more
forcefully home than in launching the tutorial as a refresher.
Same tutorial, same enemies and same missions.
However, the game does really start to come into it’s own with the wide range of
mission sets available and the campaign itself.
The game takes place in the future, and Major
Jason “Wolf” Scott is assigned to Rokada IV, which is rather fortunate for the
Galactic Federation. Why? Because the Velans attack the planet and Scott is the
only one that can turn back the tide of that invasion.
But what about his fellows in the federation?
This title, from Buka, Oxygen Interactive and MADia Entertainment, makes no
bones about the AI of your compatriots. It states, matter-of-factly, in the
general campaign overview that the AI is “so dumb that you can’t count on it.”
The AI of the enemies is rather predictable as
well.
There are several new features in this title,
including the Wind Warriors campaign, which feature more than 40 missions, new
units and weaponry, and a dedicated server support for the multiplayer aspects
of the game.
The aircraft of this game are rather unique,
which does extent to the older aircraft and the new ones. For the uninitiated,
consider these aircraft as a type of Harrier jet – capable of hovering like a
helicopter and also flying somewhat like a jet.
Now while the speed of the aircraft is
supposed to be very good, the game still plays rather methodically. In the
review of the original program, it was stated ” The BFF1-112 Tempest fighter
turns with all the urgency of a tortoise who thinks it just saw a hare flash
past.” Nothing much has changed in that.
The game begins with an exam on managing
targets. Cadets are out logging some flight time when suddenly enemy units
arrive and start targeting the rookies. Your job is to protect the cadets. If
you are looking for support, forget it. There are three other aircraft with you,
but speed bumps would be of more use.
The language can get a little stark, with
cadets cussing at you for lack of appropriate cover. And the only time you can
keep pace with the targets is when you are moving, other than that, you will
fail the mission parameters. Damage you sustain will affect your craft’s
handling.
In that, this game does a good job. The flight
mechanics are well realized, especially if you are using a flight joystick (in
this case the Saitek Cyborg Evo, which was a sterling performer in this game).
You can also combine keyboard hotkeys with the joystick to quickly get the most
out of the control elements.
Where the game falters is in the general
content. This seems like a lot of the same thing over and over. The graphical
elements are solid, but the dialog seems a little forced at times. If someone is
about to die, the phrase “have a nice afterlife” may be an attempt at sarcasm,
but it falls a little short.
Echelon: Wind Warriors is much of the same
revisited. The graphics engine is essentially the same and the AI is suspect.
But for those looking for a fix for their flight-combat sim addiction, this game
may be a nice little diversion. If you have not played the original game, you
will find the graphical quality and number of missions in this title refreshing.
If you have, this is much more of the same. Wind Warriors is a solid flight sim,
with sterling graphics. It’s just not overly unique.
Gameplay: 6.8
This is clearly a game that follows the
formula of the original. Replayability will be an issue. Each mission plays out
exactly the same, and that can lead to a little frustration if you are forced to
repeat a mission a couple of times in order to advance the campaign.
Graphics: 8.7
The graphical quality of this game is still
strong, but does not have the impact that the original did two years ago.
Sound: 6
The radio chatter is crisp, but some of the dialog is rather forced. The sarcasm
falls short, and there does not seem to be a sense of urgency in the audio
tracks that certainly should be there.
Difficulty: Medium
There is a bit of a learning curve with this game, and you will have to complete
missions sequentially to advance. The game does play much better with a
flight-oriented joystick as opposed to just keyboard commands.
Concept: 6.5
Same game, different missions.
Multiplayer: 7
This game supports online multiplayer game through LAN and dedicated servers.
You can indulge in team fights and free-for-all battles.
Overall: 6.8
This is a solid title, but there is too much repetition, both in that this is so
similar to the original and in that the missions can see similar. What was very
good in 2002 is only average in 2004.
