''Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator: WWII Europe Series'' is the first version of all three

combat flight simulation game Combat flight simulators are vehicle simulation games, amateur flight simulation computer programs used to simulate military aircraft and their operations. These are distinct from dedicated flight simulators used for professional pilot and milit ...

s from

Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology corporation producing computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services headquartered at the Microsoft Redmond campus located in Redmond, Washin ...

. It was released on 28 October 1998 and it is set in the

European Theatre The European theatre of World War II was one of the two main theatres of combat during World War II. It saw heavy fighting across Europe for almost six years, starting with Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 and ending with the ...

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. This game spawned two sequels: '' Combat Flight Simulator 2'' in 2000 and '' Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe'' in 2002.

Gameplay

''Combat Flight Simulator'' features 6 modes, Free Flight, Quick Combat, Single Missions, Campaigns, Multiplayer, and Training Missions. Free Flight allows players to fly around the entirety of Europe. Quick Combat puts the player into the air against waves of AI opponents. Single Missions are missions where you have to take-off to complete tasks, before landing. Campaigns are more elaborate mission sequences. Multiplayer was a mode that allowed you to fly online with other players, fly in formations, and engage in dog-fights. Training Missions are missions that teach you dogfighting techniques and the basics of flight.

Reception

Sales

''Combat Flight Simulator'' was a commercial success. It was the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

' 19th-best-selling computer game during the first half of 1999, and totaled 260,708 sales and $10.8 million revenues in the country by that October. The game's defeat of its direct competitor, '' Jane's WWII Fighters'', contributed to the end of

Electronic Arts Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) is an American video game company headquartered in Redwood City, California. Founded in May 1982 by Apple employee Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer game industry and promoted the ...

Jane's Combat Simulations ''Jane's Combat Simulations'' was a brand of PC flight and combat flight simulators released by Electronic Arts (EA). The Jane's Information Group branding was licensed by Electronic Arts to lend authenticity and accuracy to their growing line of ...

brand. Global sales surpassed 450,000 copies by June 2000.

Critical reviews

''Combat Flight Simulator'' was a finalist for '' Computer Gaming World''s 1998 "Best Simulation" award, which ultimately went to ''

European Air War ''European Air War'' is a combat flight simulator developed and published by MicroProse and published for Microsoft Windows in 1998. It is a sequel to '' 1942: The Pacific Air War''. It simulates the Battle of Britain, and the Allied Air offensiv ...

''.

References

External links

Official website
via

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...