Reviewed
03.06.2016
Publisher
CRI
Developer
CRI
Format
GD-ROM
Origin
Import
Available
Feb.
15, 2001
(Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
1st/3rd
Person
Genre
Flight/Sim
Player(s)
1
Options
Backup
14
Link
Mission
Stick
Modem
Rumble
VGA
Box
VMS/VMU
Requires
n/a
Importable
90% |
| Intro |
|
> Aero Dancing i (i stands for internet) is the sequel to
Aero
Dancing F. It's the third (full) game in the Aero Dancing series,
and the last (full) game on Dreamcast. The main new feature is multiplayer
online dogfights. Unfortunately, that mode was only available to
Japanese players. Other new features include air to ground attack
modes, more weather options, custom insignias, WWII planes and the awesome
AV-8B Harrier.
> Importing is the only way to go, since this game never crossed the Pacific.
Just like prior Aero Dancing titles, as long as you know what controlling
a multi million dollar jet is about, then you should fare well. There's
a mixture of Japanese and English in the menus, but most of the selections
are easily made. |
| Graphics |
|
> To begin with, Aero Dancing i has the smoothest framerate
and most detail in the series for Dreamcast. CRI has come a long
way since Aero
Dancing ~featuring Blue Impulse. Locales and aircraft are beautifully
modeled. The afterburner graphics are greatly improved and rather
impressive. Aircraft have wheel lights that glisten when viewed from
certain angles. The weather effects include clear, rain, clouds,
and fog. Time of day varies from morning to mid-day to night.
The coolest new graphic feature is the wing vapor and vortices created
during high-G maneuvers. Lastly, the sense of speed at low altitude
is very convincing. |
| Control |
|
> The gameplay in Aero Dancing i is phenomenal. You
control thrust, rudder, flight stick, airbrakes, weapons, targets, gear,
and views with ease. When you select the "Professional" flight model,
you'll get the most realistic physics in a console flight game. I
really enjoy Free Flight mode where you can take an aircraft out for a
spin and attempt a perfect landing on the runway or a carrier.
> It's worth noting the AV-8B Harrier controls quite differently.
Once you apply full power for a vertical take-off, you have to tip the
plane in the direction you want to fly in order to gain enough speed to
transition into normal flight mode. To me, the ability to slow down
in the Harrier leaves something to be desired. That being said, I
still think the gameplay is top notch overall. |
| Sound |
|
> The sound of the jet engines has been tweaked nicely. Firing rockets
and exploding targets thunder more realistically too. Gun fire, tires
screeching, gear extension/retraction and voice cues sound largely the
same as before. This game has new tunes which are decent enough and
not bothersome. Besides, if you don't like the music just turn it
off in the options. |
| Fun |
|
> Aero Dancing i is perfectly fun. You get 32 missions
among four categories: Air Attack, Surface Attack, Dogfight, and Operation
(surface and dogfight). Free Flight mode (my favorite) has 13 maps
with varying weather/time conditions to select including, clear, rain,
fog, dusk, night, etc. The game has a ton of aircraft to fly/unlock,
including some with multiple liveries. Top it off with an excellent
Replay mode, an Emblem Editor and 4 types of Training Missions to combine
for the ultimate flying game I've ever played! |
| Bottom Line |
| >
Aero
Dancing i is the best game in the series for Dreamcast. It
has many options to tweak the realism, a plethora of aircraft to fly and
loads of missions to master. CRI did a reasonable job of setting
the control scheme for the Harrier too (it's not perfect, but it works
decently). Any self-respecting flight/sim fan will want to own and
master this game. |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
9.7 | Graphics: 9.8 | Control: 9.5 | Sound: 9.6 | Fun: 10 |
~
Shinobi ~
| Widescreen
Mode |
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