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Imagine everything that made European Air War fantastic, and set it twenty years later.

Remember European Air War? Remember how much it kicked ass? Okay, now picture everything that made EAW good and set it twenty years later and you have Strike Fighters. Covering the ‘60s, a unique period for aerial combat because while air combat had moved beyond the guns only mode of Korea the missiles were nowhere near as sophisticated as the modern era, leading to a lot of close-in engagement. Speed was definitely life during this period.

Now, while the title is set during the ‘60s don’t expect it to cover Vietnam. Instead, the game will be set in a fictional Middle Eastern region. While that might put a damper on some fliers’ enthusiasm maybe this will help perk them up: the campaign is dynamic, and will even feature a mercenary element where players will earn money for successful missions, which can then be used to upgrade their hardware and in keeping the guns full and the tanks filled.

European Air War was the best WWII flight sim on the market until IL2 Sturmvorik, and even then it’s still the best sim covering the ETO. Taking all that made it what it was and transporting it to a very neglected era in flight sims (and also bringing it up to today’s machines; the detail level on the aircraft is amazing) should make Strike Fighters one hot flight sim. Throw in Third Wire’s commitment to supporting modmakers and you have a potential winner. Who say’s flight sims are dead?

Reviewed by Scott R. Krol, PC Gameworld.