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SWON = Underrated

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: July 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I don't know WHY this game only rates three stars. No, it's not a straight-on flight sim. No, the graphics aren't the best on XBox. Graphics should take a backseat to gameplay at any rate, and SWON has fantastic gameplay. Easily the best arcade flyer LucasArts has come up with, outstripping the Rogue Squadron series. The vast collection of planes you earn should send any WWII historian and aviation buff into ecstasy (no Corsair, though, sigh).

The plane models are extremely detailed, no problems there. The landscape is a bit bland at times, but specific locations (i.e., the Cliffs of Dover) are instantly recognizable. Other details (explosions, ground vehicles) are simple, but you'll be too busy (and moving too fast) to notice.

The gameplay, as before, is great. Again, it's not a flight sim, so don't judge it as such. Although it is a bit embarrassing to plow into the ground when you're trying to whip around to take out an enemy fighter (whoops). The game's most interesting feature is the time control. You can slow or speed up the flow of time to gain the advantage in a dogfight or to cut down on travel time between target areas. The targeting system helps you lead shots properly, though that can be turned off to see if you're as good as the guys that did this for a living.

The sound and dialogue are all way above par. Every plane has a distinct engine sound, which was actually recorded at an air museum in California. The voice acting is lively but not melodramatic, and helps immerse you in the game. Where the sound really shines, though, is the phenomenal music. I rarely buy game soundtracks, but when I saw SWON's was available, I snatched it up.

The game feels a bit short, though 36 stages is still impressive, and there are several two-player scenarios. (Live subscribers can get even more planes and missions.) The difficulty is above average, also a plus for us older gamers. The replay value is a bit low, but there are always hidden objectives in any given mission. Still, you'll pick it up again after a while because it's just that good. LucasArts and Totally Games, keep up the good work, and hopefully give us another Secret Weapons game sometime soon!

Average at Best

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

My buddy bought this when it came out and we were both disappointed when we played it because it had such great promise.

Pros: Graphics are good but not spectacular. Controls and learning curve are easy. I appreciate plane engine stall outs as this seems realistic on some of the more acrobatic moves.

Cons: Poor reality. There is not elevation indicator (not sure if the old WWII planes had those or not) which made it hard to know how high or low you wanted to be. The accelerator and deceleration doesn't appear to truly change enough while playing. I was flying low between palm trees and the wings would go right through the wing without any damage - very unreal!

It's an okay game but if you want to get it, you'd be better served to wait until it comes down in price or you'll likely be as disappointed as we were.

Forget naysayers, this game is fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: May 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Ok, look, so the game isn't 100% realistic in every aspect. But how many of us are pilots? There are all the major indicators, airspeed, altitude, horizon, etc. etc. just the amount of gauges you need to fly without really knowing how to fly for real.
In any case, this game is fun. It has hard but doable missions that both pose a challenge, and offer a good sense of accomplishment when you finish them.
This game is fun. I liked Crimson Skies a lot, and this is very similar in its mechanics. The historical tie in makes it that much better though. Check this game out, it's worth it.

Secret Weapons Over Normandy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: June 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If you love crimson skies you will love this game.Your name is Chase and your fighting Germany Nemisis and Japan fighters during world war 2.In this game you are fighting against the enemys with your allies Russia,France and Britain.If you like a hard video game this is one.Your not only fighting against planes but also gun turrents,tanks,patrol boats,u2 boats,destroyers and others.On a few missions you get to shoot the planes from the ground in a destroyer or turrent but these are few and far between it's mostly fighting from the air.In between different levels you also have challenges.You unfortuanly must play all challenges,all primary,secondary and bonus missions to get the xwing and tie fighter from star wars.It's not always so easy to get to the bonus missions but you can always go into history and play it later and if you beat it you still get the prize and requisitions to upgrade your planes.There are different planes in this game.My favorite is the JU 262 Jet which you will get to fly in level 12 it is incredibly fast.With requistions you can upgrade your planes armor,enjine,amount of ammo etc.Your armor can be upgraded to 4 the same for the other upgrades.As you go thru the game you get different secondary weapons and on some you can choose which one you use on several missions.You get Missiles which can easily take out ground and air targets from a distance,different types of bombs,torpedoes for navel enemies,cannons and other secondary weapons my favorite is the medium missiles.Also you can choose between 1st person view and 3rd from the menu.1st is much harder because you can't see your plane.As with a comparison between crimson skies and normandy crimson is easy I've beat it over 6 times this one is hard because some of the planes fly high over you and you can't reach them or you will stall.Also it is easy to crash in this game if your going for ground targets.I love the explosions they look good when planes,tanks,boats,hangers,anti aircraft guns and others explode.If you plane takes a lot of damage you can fly to the parmoson airfield for repair and get your weapons replintished but landing is tricky and sometimes you can crash or even get shot down while your on the ground rolling to the airfield.Also friendly fire happens.You can accidently shoot down your allies if your not careful althougth the enemies and allies are labled sometimes it is still possible because of so many planes in the sky.Some missions involve you protecting your allies while there taking out targets,etc and some involve specific targets you must knock out.There is all kind of enviroments hear.You get to fight at night with the stars and moon in the background,There is snow cover in the russian missions,mountains,oceans etc.The gunfire sounds pretty relistic.Also you open up mini video movies from the history channel in between missions that tell you what actually happen in WWII with actual footage.Also get the Prima Guide to go with this game it is pretty helful.If you like current jet fighter air games get ace combat 4 which is even better than this one.It even has actual jet sounds and cockpit view.It is the reason I have a Ps2 because it isn't on xbox so I have both consoles.Here is some strong and weak points of this game.

Strenths
Choice between 1st and 3rd person view.
A large variety of planes and secondary weapons.
Nice enviroments.
When you finish you get the xwing and tie fighter from starwars to play in challenge mode.

Requisitions to upgrade your plane are easy to get.
Explosions look good and weapons sound relistic especially bullits.
Training missions to show you how to fly,dogfight,drop bombs etc.
You can call on wingmen to help defend you if you need too.

Weakness
No cockpit view
Planes stall too easily
The game is hard get ready to see your plane shot down many times.
Some secondary and bonus missions are hard to complete

If you like this game also pick up crimson skies.Normandy is very addicting you will love it if you love air combat or war games.

Not even close to a sim!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 17, 2003
Author: Amazon User

If you're hoping for a combat sim along the lines of the original "Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe" (as I was), forget it. I could write a book about how amazingly unrealistic this game is. It's even fair to say that it's been seriously dumbed down. Consider it a 3D arcade shooter. Lawrence Holland should be embarrassed to have his name connected to it.

Even with that caveat in mind, it isn't a great game. Characters and storyline are forgettable. Graphics and sound are not up to the capability of the Xbox. "Crimson Skies" is much better.

All that said, SWON can still be entertaining. The levels are varied and well designed, and there's an amazingly wide variety of land, sea, and air targets to blow up using an amazingly varied arsenal of planes and weapons.

If you're looking for arcade flying fun on your Xbox and can afford two games, you should start with SWON and then have even more fun with Crimson Skies. If you do the reverse, you'll regret spending $50 for SWON.

Looks great and much fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I heard that this is not a flight sims game that you all seemed to think. This is more of an action fun game designed for the console rather than the more intense flight sims that's from this company. I find the graphics impressive looking and very detail oriented and easier to play for beginning gamers like me. I'm so hooked. I think you would enjoy this more if you know what the game is intended to do from the sites below. Try out the demo and see for yourself!

Official site: http://www.lucasarts.com/products/normandy/
Mini site: http://www.totallygames.com/games/swon.htm

Rent it, dont buy it.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Its about time that xbox released a decent flight simulator for the xbox, with Ace Combat for the playstation series it was proven that excellent combat flight simulators can be made for consoles and unfortunatly Secret Weapons just doesnt hack it.
This game however fun is just no flight sim, all aerodynamic are shot and the control of the plane is very limited. Flying becomes very two dimensional as the banking of the plane stops at 45 degrees, not allowing you to pull off barrel rolls or sharp turns.
If you treat it as a shooting game, and not a flight sim it may be more enjoyable. The aircraft are all fun, ranging from jet fighters to fighter bombers. And the weapon upgrades make it more fun.
Graphics wise the game is fairly lacking for the year it was released, and it is clear that the game designers were trying to keep it as plain as possible as to make it easier to put on multiple consoles.
The game play ranges from very easy to moderatly hard, but remains fun the whole time. And it can be beaten in a couple of days leaving it not too long and not very short.
I do not recommend buying it, but rent it since it is a fun game knowing you didnt spend 30+bucks on it.

a ship without a rudder is like a ship without a rudder.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: June 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game could be a whole lot better with rudder controls. If this game wishes to capture WWII combat it needs the barrel rolls and arial stunts, as it is the planes all the planes fly like rockets, not like hawks. Despite this major flaw, I like the target system, and the lanscapes are not bad. However for all around game play SWON should seek some advice from her bueatiful cousin Crimson Skies. Better dogfighting next time, secret weopons of the cold war? I'd love to fly a spyplane.

I will save you some money

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: December 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Yes, if you want some honest advice, here It is "DO not buy this game". I bought it 2 hours ago and i played it for about 5 minutes and i am done with it i will returned it tomorrow.

The graphics in this game are horrible. It looks like te old play station or nintendo 64. I believe that says it all. It's your choice, but in the event you decide to buy it you will want to return it the same day.

Is it as good as SWOTL?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 13
Date: November 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I am a little wary that this new game is not up to standard obtained by the old DOS based SWOTL game. After devouring all the information the SWON website had ... I am left wondering if SWON has nearly the depth as SWOTL. Will I get to: Determine what technologies are researched, which engines are built, which air frames are manufactured? If this new game is just about flying and graphics...then we might be better off keeping our 486's alive and grabbing our SWOTL floppy disks.

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