When I installed this game, I couldn't wait to get up their shooting down enemy fighters and bombers, but I very suprised when I found out that there is NO joystick option on this game!! Yes, an air combat game with no joystick control! You control the planes' ailerons and elevators with your mouse, and the throttle & rudder with the WSAD keys. At first, I was going to flog it on, but then I had a go of the free flight, then started the missions. You get used to the mouse/keyboard controls very quickly, and it becomes a very good game. I would give it 1 out of 5 for realistic simulation, but 4 out of 5 for enjoyment. Your commanding officer who gives you your orders seems to be a Yank, which is strange. A Brit would have been better. You can also fly straight into another aircraft, and you'll bounce off each other! You have that old fashioned 'sheild' effect whereas the more you get shot, or the more obsticles that you crash into, the worse condition you plane gets into.
Overall, a great fun shoiot em up game, with great graphics, but not a simulator!