Having dispatched a Mig 21 over Syrian territory with a Short-Ranged Attack Missile (SRAM), I continue flying toward my primary target Syrian Air Command Headquarters. Radar picks up four surface-to-air missiles (SAMS), and two enemy aircraft on an intercept course. Arming a medium ranged missile (MRM), I fire at the first aircraft. Turning my attention to the four SAMS, I dispatch two flares and engage electronic counter measures (ECM). Two missiles disappear from my radar display. A third explodes on a flare. I watch as my missile impacts the first aircraft and my computer display flashes the message, “Enemy Plane Hit”.
The target is rapidly approaching. Arming bombs, I dive toward my target ignoring the last enemy aircraft and SAM. Dropping the bombs, I pull up and see on my computer display that the target is hit. I immediately turn to line up a secondary target, WHAM! WHAM! I’m hit by the last SAM and an enemy SRAM from the last enemy aircraft pulling up out of the wild dive; I’m treated with a hail of cannon fire from the enemy aircraft. Too low to bail out, my mission ends as I slam into the ground!! This is the action in Micro prose’s newest game F-15 STRIKE EAGLE.
The action is fast and furious. Not paying attention or, conversely, concentrating too hard on one target can lead to disaster. The game has three levels of play. The Arcade level is purposely simple, so that you can get used to the game. It allows no rolls. The Pilot level simulates the situation in a real aircraft, with rolls, loops, etc. The Ace level is the most difficult. In it the SAMS, heat seeking missiles, and enemy aircraft are hard to avoid.
The graphics are excellent, considerably better than Micro prose’s MIG ALLEY ACE. The game has a 3D display through the cockpit. Not only are there air targets, but ground targets as well. Bombing ground targets, while dodging enemy aircraft and missiles, is your primary goal. Unfortunately, the ground targets are only triangles on the ground, not the buildings I expected to see. This, however, is minor and doesn’t detract from the game. As pilot, you’re treated with a cockpit display and a Heads up Display (HUD).
The HUD includes a Navigational Chart display which shows enemy positions, your base, and your aircraft position; and a radar screen which can be set to short, medium, or long range. This display shows SAM launches, enemy aircraft, and ground targets as they come in view. Above the radar are four warning lights showing radar lock, infra-red heat source lock, low altitude (below 600 ft), and low fuel warning. And a weapons status display (WSD) in the form of a picture of your aircraft showing all weapons on your aircraft.
At the bottom centre is the amount of fuel in the tanks. In the centre is the cockpit view. On this are pitch lines to show aircraft attitude, and an Air to Air Reticle (put enemy aircraft in the centre of this to score gun hits). Also included is an Air Target Designator box (showing where an approaching enemy aircraft will appear), and a Missile Designator Box (showing where an approaching missile will appear). These boxes move in relation to your aircraft and enemy aircraft and missile movement. A pilot can bank, roll, dive, and do other manoeuvres. You can do a Split S, Jinking, High/Low Speed Yoyos, Loops, and any other combat manoeuvre you deem necessary. All these are explained in the excellent documentation included in the game.
The only problem with the game is an omission in the documentation. The manual says you have to return to the base after completing a mission to rearm, refuel, and repair your aircraft. This means landing at your base. No where in the documentation does it tell you how to land. After several tries, and several crashes,
I found that you have to approach he base at below 1000 ft and you are automatically landed. F-15 has seven missions. Six are based on historical situations, and one is hypothetical. Mission selection is done only in the beginning of the game. The six historical missions are Libya (1981), Egypt (1973), Haiphong (1972), Syria (1984), Hanoi (1972), and Iraq (1981). The hypothetical mission is the Persian Gulf (1984). Overall, F-15 is an excellent simulation. If you liked Mig Alley Ace, you will love F-15!
September 12th, 2011 
