Genre: Simulation
Perspective: 1st-person
Vehicular: Flight / aviation
Setting: Historical events, World War I
Published by: Sierra On-Line
Developed by: Dynamix
Released: 1990
Platform: DOS
During his dizzying career, the best ace of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen, nicknamed "Red Baron", has become an indisputable symbol of the highest flying skills and air superiority. Where his blood-red Albatross appeared in the sky, the most brutal battles unfolded, and von Richthofen's numerous victories inspired his companions for feats and earned him respect among opponents. Red Baron will give you the opportunity to experience the thrill of aerial combat and join the military campaign of both the Entente and the Central Powers. Will you prove to be a loyal ally of the Red Baron in order to win the most outstanding victories with him? Or oppose him, once and for all dispelling the image of the invincible ace? In Red Baron, both are possible ... but only for those who are not afraid to become one with their war machine and conquer the skies over Europe.
Starting a new career, you are free to choose not only the side, but also the time when your alter ego was called to the front. December 1915, October 1916, January 1918 - of course, the choice will affect the nature and goals of the missions received. Starting as an ordinary pilot in a squadron, you can, if successful, climb high up the career ladder, which will give additional opportunities in the form of a request for transfer to another section of the front, getting a private jet, newspaper notes and other pleasant benefits. The campaign mode provides a dozen different types of missions, including simple dogfights, escorts, defending ground bases, tracking and destroying airships, and many other tasks that make up a pilot's everyday life. At first, you have to fly as a wingman, but as you grow in ranks, you will be able to independently form a squadron, choose weapons for your subordinates, and issue a number of commands right in the air.
Aerial combat is the cornerstone of Red Baron, and in this regard, the game can only be praised and praised. Each of the almost three dozen aircraft presented in the game is made in real 3D and has its own dashboard, and the models themselves are made of such high quality that they will never be confused even in the turmoil of the battle. The main perspective in the game is the view from the cockpit, but at any time you are free to turn your head to the left or right, as well as inspect the tail, or even place the camera outside the plane. Cars clearly obey commands, but with careless piloting and sharp turns they may well start to overwhelm and get out of control.
The game is friendly to beginners and at the same time leaves a lot of room for action for veterans who have gone through fire and water. This is achieved due to the detailed adjustment of difficulty, which radically changes both the behavior of aircraft in the air and the strength and cunning of opponents. In addition to the standard settings that limit the reserves of fuel and ammunition, there is something more interesting here, such as accidental jamming of machine guns, the possibility of freezing the carburetor and even turning on / off sun glare. The planes also have their own vulnerable zones, which are the larger, the lower the enemy's skill level. Such an abundance of settings seriously lowers the entry threshold, at the same time allowing the game to remain interesting even after long training and experience accumulation.
If you don't want to devote time to completing the campaign, there are also separate missions available in the game, the goals of which can be chosen independently. And if this is boring, and your dream is honest air duels without external interference, then there is such a mode in the game. Moreover, you can choose one of two dozen of the most famous military aces from both Germany and Great Britain as an enemy. Such battles will be remembered for a long time!
Finally, for history buffs, there is an archive containing information about the great pilots and their planes. About the first, you can read the facts from the biography, and turn the models of the second and how should be considered from all sides, at the same time reading the summary about their strengths and weaknesses.
Red Baron will be a wonderful gift for all lovers of classic military aviation and will allow you to personally take part in the most grandiose events of the past years. For the abundance of possibilities and detailed combat mechanics, the game deserves the highest praise and no less high rating. The Red Baron is waiting for loyal allies and worthy rivals, and if you are one of them, join!
