Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII review

Although Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII has appeared on multiple formats, this is the first time Gamestyle has taken to the skies with UbiSoft's historical dogfighter. Such titles have now become the exception, with few developers taking flight unless its part of a sandbox approach. In theory the added power of the current generation and potential of online play should warrant more candidates, but actually pulling off an enjoyable and varied flight experience is easier said than done, as playing through Blazing Angels highlights.You take the role of an American volunteer pilot, eager to prevent the continuing German conquest of Europe and dismayed at the lack of action from the United States. Instead of waiting for the US to declare war, you pack your bags and head to Britain to take a role in a volunteer squadron, comprising of similarly minded yanks. While this brings an American perspective into what could have been a primarily British focused RAF release, Gamestyle is sceptical as its more likely a convenient marketing ploy to ensure the US market has some interest here.Interestingly the storyline follows your squadron as you move across the WWII conflict map. Your squad first plays a role in the Battle of Britain, preventing bombers from destroying Tower Bridge and then helping the evacuation at Dunkirk by providing air cover. If this wasn't enough, you'll then you find yourself in North Africa, playing a role in tackling Rommel, before taking in Pearl Harbour, Midway and the final moments of the war in Berlin.While it may seem you are a harbourer of doom, there is no real need for this approach with Blazing Angels. While each of the locations are famous historical encounters, here they are reduced trivial events, failing to provide the experience Gamestyle had hoped for. Each lacks the sense of scale or destruction, with Dunkirk merely a few boats in a flat sea and a coastal town nearby. The environments are static, lacking any detail and unquestionably are hampered by the multi-format approach. Needless to say any sense of occasion or immersion is lost when the level commences. Visually this is the blandest PlayStation 3 title we've experienced to date, there are some reasonable explosions on offer, and a nice slipstream effect when you put your plane into full throttle. However nothing to really justify being on the PS3, and frankly very reminiscent of an old PC title. The sound however is cracking; even the voice actors are doing a reasonable job. Comments from both sides during dogfights are plentiful, and for the most part well placed. The machines themselves sound fantastic, screaming engines and constant gunfire adding some much needed adrenaline. In comparison the orchestral soundtrack fails somewhat to heighten moments of tension, content to underscore the sound effects on offer. In terms of game play there is no development on offer here, as this is a by the numbers flying game. Simply head towards your latest mission target, destroy what is required and then move onto the next when prompted, until the mission is over. With less than 20 missions on offer (including a couple of new ones on this version) the main story mode is extremely short, and multiple checkpoints condense it even further. The only real incentive to return is to achieve those higher ratings, which are rewarded with medals and secrets. To boost playtime Ubisoft Romania has included over thirty aircraft for you to unlock. These are individually rated and comprise of some of the most famous examples from the period. These faithful recreations devalued by the inclusion of a special ability on each mission, and these can vary from a wingman repairing your craft in flight (by matching the buttons onscreen), taunting or distracting enemies from your tail and so on. Other modes include the ability for quick arcade encounters, ace duel and mini-campaign, with neither really offering a viable alternative to the main story, which in itself is fundamentally flawed. Online however things are a little better – if you are able to find someone else to play against. Dogfights either against one or as part of a squadron are harmless fun. At times there is little skill on display and it’s the first to line up a decent barrage of shots that wins. An influential element is your choice of aircraft, with some able to turn with alarming speed, while you are just going into the manoeuvre. The option for co-operative play exists, although fans of Crimson Skies will know, the best experiences are as part of a group. This is shown in the exclusion Adversarial mode where you and your squadron buddies take to the skies to destroy your opponent’s base. It’s a nice twist on the FPS favourite and is the highlight of Blazing Angels by a long stretch.Some effort has been made to introduce the motion aspect of the Sixaxis controller into onscreen events. If you are bold enough then it is possible to fly your aircraft by motion along, although aiming and firing becomes a little more difficult. It does work, but Gamestyle preferred the old fashioned way, with your right stick controlling the throttle. Shame there is no rumble supported by this system.Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII is the definitive average experience. You can play through this title with little effort and come out at the end with next to no lasting impression of any kind. It merely exists to pass away a few hours and should be consigned to the history books.