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F/A-18 not what I expected...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: January 14, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I preordered this game a long time ago, just after I purchased USAF. I expected a simmilar kind of simulation, one like USAF but spiced up. People have to know this is more of a real f-18 simulator simulation, I mean the real thing. It's very complicated. Once you get the hang of it you will start liking it. I was disapointed with the graphics. I have a K6II 400 mhz and it doesn't run smoothly.

Awesome avionics - at a price.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 24 / 24
Date: January 20, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This "game" features incredible avionics and weapons modeling of the U.S. Navy/Marines newest attack aircraft, the F/A-18 E Hornet.

If you've got the hardware - and I mean a SERIOUS system such as a 600+ mHz PIII or Athalon, go for it. Otherwise, hold off until Jane's either optimizes the code or you get a faster machine. Even on my Coppermine with a GeForce DDR, this thing can CRAWL during a campaign.

The graphics are nothing to write home about (not as good as Hornet Korea, a 3-year-old Hornet sim, IMO), but if you can get past that, there's some serious fun to be had delving into the many weapons systems and comms. To be fair the game does have good weather and lighting effects, although nothing that hasn't already been done on non-flightsims for a few years.

The manual is sparse. At only 200 pages, it doesn't begin to cover the avionics systems in depth. You'll have to find your own way or resort to reading newsgroups.

There are also LOTS of complaints about freezing on the newsgroups, so expect to have to wait for a patch before it's truly playable for the long-haul.

Would I recommend it? Yes. It's not the best flightsim I've ever seen, but it's close. If you're new to hardcore flightsims (anything non-Novalogic should qualify), and are looking for an entry level sim into the genre, start with Hornet Korea and then move up to Jane's F/A-18 after you understand what it's all about. Just keep in mind, his thing WILL bring your system to its knees, and if you don't have the hardware, stay well away.

A Step Backwards?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 13 / 14
Date: January 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

After playing FA/18, I expected to see an awesome addition to the excellence achieved by USAF. FA/18 doesn't come close. The graphics seem to be equal to some shareware products, compared to USAF, and the game doesn't capture the feeling of realism that USAF did. I guess if it had come out before USAF, it probably would have impressed me more. It appears to be F15 reincarnated, staged in a different theatre. The carrier take offs and landings are ok, but even the older Microprose F14 Fleet defenders' carrier activity appeared more exciting. It's definately not what I expected to take the stage after USAF. I was somewhat of a disappointed to me. If you're just dying to catapult from a carrier, at least wait several months, this way you can pick it up in a clearance bin for $19.99.

Not up to Jane's usually high standards.....................

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: February 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I had expected something that would be on par with Longbow 2, F-15, and possibly Falcon 4.0. But, I think this product still has a long way to go. The cockpit detail doesn't even come close to Falcon 4.0, the documentation is incomplete, and the training missions are really poor. Basically, you are told what 2 or 3 keystrokes to do to get an air-air or air-ground kill and then you are finished with the training mission. Then, you are told what further things you can do with a "did you know...." screen after you exit the training mission. But, you are not told how to use some of the more advanced avionics features. In fact, you really have to dig through the very small manual to find out how to use the avionics equipment, and even then you may not find what you need. I hope that Jane's is working on a patch real soon, because it is definitely not state-of-the-art and is definitely not for the hard-core flight sim fan. Shame on you, Jane's, you have sold out to the marketing suits.

Isn't worth anything

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 1 / 12
Date: February 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is a major upset.I bought it immediatly when it cameout and played it twice.It was suppose to beat falcon 4.0 but it isn'teven close.Falcon 4.0 is the closest game to real life.When i played f-18 the handleing of the aircraft was inpossible to real life,it moves way to easy.Also the cockpit is a disgrace of a plane,it is so horrible.I just wish i could get my money back because it was a major waste.If your looking for a great flight sim i suggest falcon 4.0 because it is so accurate and graphic,eventhough you need the patches.The game is way ahead of its time. END

Splendid

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: February 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I have to disagree with all the negative comments and reviews. This product truely out performs any sim I have encountered so far. This ranges from the Microsoft products up to Jane's Combat Simulations. No crashes or so many upsetting bugs as in Falcon 4.0 or FS-2000 Professional. Superb 3D graphics, avionics utterly realistic created, and too many numerous other new features. As a dedicated flight simmer, I will give this product a definite 5/5.

WOW! This game rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: March 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

The people down at the Janes company have really outdone themselves this time. If you buy this game, you WILL have fun. You may die on every mission,. but you will die HAPPY, Cause this game is fun.

Jane's Only Short-Coming

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: March 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

When I read that this awesome new product by Electronic Arts was coming out, I couldn't help but be excited, knowing, that it HAS to be greater than USAF. I was wrong. It installed quickly and disapppointed me even quicker, realizing that I just bought the F15 all over again, just a different plane, different theater. This is fine... ...if it was 1997. The overall graphics are okay and the carriers landings are an improvement over other flight simulations, but the cockpit graphics, flight manual and aircraft handling are upsetting, letting you know that this latest edition to Jane's was a rushed job. My recommendation is to hold off on getting this, look at the number of disappointed flight sim jockeys and wait for Jane's to get their act together before trying to sell us a $40 dessert after a full course meal of an excellent, well-reviewed "USAF".

Listen! This is the best sim.... period...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 12, 2000
Author: Amazon User

You'll read about poor graphics and slow frame rate. If you have the hardware this is what you should buy... The most realistic sim you will find. You won't get the USAF kind of sim, you will get the real stuff, ok, the graphics are not that good, but the game is really exciting, you will love it... of course it from jane's. Just don't think you will get a novaligic or a USAF secual, this is very diffrent. I recomend you try it, you just need more than 400 mhz. I have an atholon 600 and a banshee and I love the way it runs.

BEATS USAF, FALCON 4.0, AND ALL OTHERS HANDS DOWN!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 31 / 32
Date: March 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Falcon is a great game, but way too many crashes and bugs...my copy finally found the trash. And USAF is fun, if you don't mind sacrificing realism and detail for ease of play. Jane's F/A-18 has stability, blazing graphics and gameplay, and realism with detail beyond compare. It does everything other flight sims try to do, and puts it all in a finished, well rounded package. The manual is well written, although the use of a few of the weapons could have been expanded on. Online training missions have filled that need. FA/18's graphics equal and sometimes surpass Falcon's. The 3-D cloud, weather, and lighting effects are groundbreaking. Try dropping out of a 7000 foot stormcloud ceiling, watching the mist dissipate around you and lightning flash in all directions...see the glow of your afterburners from behind and watch your left side light up as you fire an AIM-120 to pierce through the darkness, winding it's way to an unsuspecting MIG-27. After the orange fireball plunges into the cold water, turn and head towards your carrier group. As you break through a low layer of spotty clouds, you see your carrier cutting through the shimmering moon-lit sea. You know your biggest challenge is yet to come...catching the tailhook of your 45,000 pound fighter on one of four wires, while your flight deck rocks and sways in the choppy waters. Communications realism is incredible, including dozens of commands that can be given to your wingman, section, division, or entire flight. Direct a few squadron members out front to take out enemy SAM sites or AAA, clearing the way for you and your wingman to deliver the strike while another section provides air cover. Contact AWACS to request information on enemy group locations and bearings. Unlike many flight sims, in Jane's your AI planes will do what you tell them, without crashing into the ground or performing unexplained maneuvers. Weapons are also modeled with excellent realism, and there are many to choose from: Laser guided bombs, GPS guided munitions, stand off lond distance weapons, anti-personnel, anti-armor, and several versions of the AIM-120, AIM-7 Sparrow, and Sidewinder series. Go into custom arming and pick a predefined loadout or load each of the ! eleven! weapon stations individually. Use data link pods, FLIR targeting pods (forward looking infrared), air launched decoys, or just pickle a "dumb bomb" by planting the crosshairs on your target. Launch the harpoon anti-ship missile after choosing options such as flight profile and skim or pop-up final attack. I've heard complaints about the virtual cockpit and lack of 2-D cockpit. Personally, I never play any sim using the 2-D cockpit, as you can't swivel your "virtual head" to see what is to the sides or behind you. So while Falcon's 2-D cockpit is a bit prettier, F/A-18's virtual cockpit beats Falcon's virtual and works very well. I'll take functionality over beauty any day. Many missions available online complement the great ones included. You'll also find training missions and add-ons like custom cockpits and aircraft skins online. This is the best fighter simulation available this year! F/A-18 isn't good at one thing...it's great at everything. I run it on a PIII450 with 96MB RAM and a Viper550 graphics card and it runs very smooth at full detail. If you have a decent system that can handle other simulations of this quality, you will not be disappointed. I've flown F-15, and this blows it away.

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