Reviewed
03.01.2003
Publisher
CRI
Developer
CRI
Format
GD-ROM
Origin
Import
Available
Aug.
23, 2001
(Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
1st/3rd
Person
Genre
Flight/Sim
Player(s)
1-4
Options
Backup
15 +14
Link
Mission
Stick
Modem
Rumble
VGA
Box
VMS/VMU
Requires
n/a
Importable
90% |
| Intro |
|
> Before Dreamcast, consoles never got enough flight sim releases.
Thanks to CRI, the Aero Dancing series has 6 titles for
Dreamcast,
including Aero Dancing iSD (ADiSD). This is a Special Disk
release to complement Aero Dancing
i. Each new game in this Elite
Series has added new aircraft to master and missions to complete.
ADiSD has even added up to 4 player internet battles!
> If you want ADiSD then importing is the only avenue. No problem though,
unless you know nothing about flying an airplane. Otherwise, most
of the menus are in English, while the voices and descriptions are in Japanese.
The hardest part will be to figure out exactly what needs to be done in
the training missions. |
| Graphics |
|
> ADiSD's graphics mimic Aero Dancing i closely, yet draw largely from
Aero
Dancing F with various enhancements to boast. When
compared to ADF, ADiSD features a higher frame rate, minor visual tweaks,
much better afterburner flames, and higher polygon counts for the aircraft
and locales. One thing that is weird would be the fact you can't
access all the views while in flight, as previously possible. Now,
they're only available in replay mode. My only complaint would be
that the flight locales are relatively small, so they repeat scenery too
often. This is one glaring element that hasn't changed since the
first Aero
Dancing. |
| Control |
|
> As usual, you can select from normal and professional control schemes.
The difference being that professional is closer to reality. Other
factors, like your HUD display, can be altered in the options menu.
Overall though the gameplay hasn't changed much (which is mainly good).
The remaining problem, IMO, is that most planes brake way too slow.
I have witnessed real F-14's land and come to a complete stop in less than
3,000 ft. (which can be very difficult to perform in this series). |
| Sound |
|
> Very good. Some new guitar themes help melt away the hours you'll
be spending trying to master the AV-8B Harrier. Once again, all the
voices are Japanese, which means you won't be understanding the mission
descriptions. If you don't like the music just turn it off.
The sound effects are the same as ADi (which is good). |
| Fun |
> I love games where there's an infinite number of possible outcomes.
Flight sims fit comfortably in that description. There's a lot of
modes to keep you busy here:
-
AV-8B Challenge - participate
in increasingly difficult and complicated training missions.
-
Cat Survival - more
or less a Survival Mode where you pilot a lone F-14 against increasingly
difficult bandits.
-
Free Flight - choose
from Air Attack, Surface Attack, Solo Flight, or Random missions.
-
Internet Battle - dogfight
with up to 4 online opponents.
-
Dancing Audition 2001
- see tons of user replays from Aero Dancing i.
-
Premium - see video
clips and download special data saves for all the Aero Dancing games.
-
Hangar - watch training
videos, use the replay theater, create custom emblems, and hit some official
web links.
I guess it's fair to
say ADiSD offers the most gameplay modes of any Aero Dancing
game.
This is flight gaming at its best and most fun. |
| Bottom Line |
| >
If flying a WWII or Harrier aircraft entices you, then ADiSD is for you.
Excellent graphics, great gameplay and a plethora of options. The
new bombing missions are cool too. Even so, I'd only recommend this
game if you don't have Aero Dancing i or you love flight sims (like me). |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
9.7 | Graphics: 9.8 | Control: 9.5 | Sound: 9.6 | Fun: 10 |
~
Shinobi ~
| Widescreen
Mode |
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