Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Evasive Action delivers a sprawling campaign that guides players through four distinct “world wars,” each defined by its own era of flight. From the wood-and-fabric biplanes of World War I to the sleek jet fighters of a near-future World War III and the sci-fi spacecraft of World War IV, the sim offers an impressive variety of aircraft. Each plane feels unique under the throttle, with historically informed flight models that capture the quirks of lift, drag, and engine power specific to each era.

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Missions range from classic dogfights and bomber escort runs to high-stakes strike sorties and space skirmishes. Early WWI assignments put you over trench-laden fields, dodging ground fire as you learn basic controls, while later WW2 operations task you with large-scale bomber formations and naval engagements. By the time you reach the modern fighter campaigns, you’re launching precision missiles, using radar locks, and pulling high-G maneuvers. Finally, in WW4, zero-G navigation and energy-based weapons mechanisms bring a fresh twist to aerial combat.

The learning curve in Evasive Action strikes a careful balance: newcomers can rely on an in-depth tutorial system and adjustable assists, whereas veteran sim pilots can disable most aids for a truly hardcore experience. Controls map intuitively to both gamepads and HOTAS setups, and keybindings are fully customizable. Whether you prefer a simplified arcade feel or the full complexity of torque roll and prop-wash stalls, the game adapts to your style.

Multiplayer enthusiasts will appreciate skirmish modes and PvP dogfight arenas, where friends can duke it out in custom lobbies. A mission editor rounds out the package, letting creative players design bespoke battles anywhere from the muddy trenches of 1917 to the void of a lunar battlefield. The result is a gameplay loop that remains engaging even after dozens of hours, thanks to its era-spanning variety and deep simulation mechanics.

Graphics

Visually, Evasive Action sets a high bar for flight sims. The aircraft models are meticulously detailed: rivets and fabric stitching stand out on WWI frames, while riveted aluminum panels gleam on World War II fighters. Modern jets exhibit realistic wear and tear, and the futuristic spacecraft of WW4 feature imaginative HUD displays and glowing engine cores. Cockpit interiors are fully modeled, with working switches, animated gauges, and dynamic lighting that enhances immersion.

Terrain and environmental art are equally impressive. You’ll swoop low over muddy trenches and shattered villages during the Great War, then soar above the bomb-ravaged cities of WWII. In the WWIII stage, lush mountain ranges and sprawling deserts provide varied backdrops for supersonic engagements, and the final space chapters expand your view to asteroid fields, orbital stations, and planetary ring vistas. Day-night cycles and weather effects—rain, snow, and swirling dust storms—add both visual flair and tactical challenge.

Particle effects, from tracer rounds to rocket contrails, feel weighty and believable. Explosions bloom with shockwaves that momentarily distort the screen, smoke trails linger realistically, and debris fields populate the air after a successful hit. At high settings, every mission feels like a cinematic sequence, yet the engine remains well-optimized, maintaining smooth frame rates even in large-scale dogfights with dozens of AI planes on screen.

For pilots with VR headsets, the cockpit experience becomes even more compelling: you can lean forward to peer over your instrument panel or twist your head to track an enemy at your six o’clock. Performance tuning menus allow you to fine-tune shadows, texture resolutions, and post-processing effects, ensuring that both high-end rigs and mid-range setups can enjoy the game at respectable detail levels.

Story

Rather than a single linear plot, Evasive Action weaves a thematic narrative across each war era. In the World War I segment, you take the role of a rookie pilot thrust into the chaos of trench warfare, forming bonds with fellow squadron members as you learn the ropes. Briefings are delivered by grizzled veterans whose voices carry the weight of a conflict that redefined modern combat.

The World War II arc introduces a new cast of characters and geopolitical stakes. You’ll participate in historical events such as the Battle of Britain and island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific. While the developers take some creative liberties—occasionally combining missions for pacing—the overall series of events feels grounded in real-world strategy, and voice-acted cutscenes add emotional context to each sortie.

When Evasive Action shifts to a speculative World War III scenario, it propels players into a tense near-future drama. Rival coalitions vie for air superiority, and high-tech fighter jets equipped with advanced avionics become your tools. Mission briefings emphasize stealth strikes and electronic warfare, forging a distinct narrative tone that underscores the rising stakes of a third global conflict.

The final chapter—World War IV—ventures into sci-fi territory. As an ace pilot recruited by a coalition of spacefaring nations, you undertake missions ranging from asteroid defense to zero-gravity dogfights around orbital platforms. While the story here is more loosely tied to real history, it succeeds in delivering a grand finale that ties together themes of human ingenuity and the ever-evolving face of aerial (and space) combat.

Overall Experience

Evasive Action stands out as a comprehensive flight sim package, offering unprecedented breadth in a single title. The game’s strongest asset is its era-spanning scope: few simulators let you jump from a Sopwith Camel biplane to a laser-armed starfighter without feeling disjointed. Here, each era flows seamlessly into the next, providing a sense of progression that keeps you invested across dozens of hours.

Despite its depth, the game does not shy away from accessibility. Newcomers can master basic flight controls in the tutorial before branching out into more advanced maneuvers, and the adjustable difficulty ensures that both casual flyers and hardcore sim fans can find their sweet spot. Multiplayer skirmishes and the mission editor extend replayability, while the sprawling single-player campaign tells a multi-chapter story that feels both educational and emotionally engaging.

On the technical side, performance is rock-solid across a range of hardware, and the visual presentation is consistently top-tier. The sound design—engine roars, radio chatter, and the thunderous crack of high-explosive rounds—further elevates immersion. Minor quibbles include the occasional AI pathing issue during large formations and the fact that some space-combat mechanics feel less polished than the atmospheric dogfighting of earlier wars.

Overall, Evasive Action is a must-have for fans of flight simulation and military history alike. Its ambitious four-war campaign, polished graphics, and flexible gameplay options create a package that’s both deep and approachable. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot looking for the next challenge or a newcomer eager to experience the evolution of aerial combat, this sim offers an experience that’s hard to pass up.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10