Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

JetFighter: Full Burn shifts the series toward a more arcade-style experience while still retaining enough simulation flair to please flight fans. Players take the stick of modern jets like the F/A-18 and F-22N for NATO or the fictional MiG-42 for the Russian side, engaging in linear, pre-designed missions that blend dogfighting, ground strikes, and fleet engagements. The controls are intuitive, trading off some of the more intricate flight dynamics of Jetfighter III for faster, more accessible action.

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The campaign structure is straightforward: you choose either the NATO or Russian viewpoint and fly through a series of missions surrounding a conflict over Norwegian oil fields. Between sorties, Full Burn sets itself apart by delivering FMV cutscenes reminiscent of Wing Commander’s interactive movies. You move between ship or command-center rooms, click on hotspots to advance dialogue or receive mission briefings, and watch tensions flare on screen.

Multiplayer support for up to 16 players adds a welcome layer of replayability. Dogfight arenas, team battles, and objective-based skirmishes take advantage of the same arcade-leaning flight model, making pick-up-and-play sessions both quick and thrilling. While die-hard sim pilots may find the physics a touch forgiving, the fast tempo and clear mission objectives suit competitive play.

Graphics

Built on the engine from Jetfighter III, Full Burn’s visuals show their age but remain serviceable for an arcade-action title of its era. Cockpit detail is modest yet functional, with clear HUD elements and weapon indicators that make it easy to stay on target in the midst of a heated dogfight. Exterior models of the F/A-18, F-22N, and MiG-42 are cleanly rendered, with just enough polygon count to look convincing at a distance.

Environments vary from icy fjords to rocky islands and open ocean landscapes. Texture resolution can be grainy on large surfaces, but the game compensates with dynamic lighting effects—afterburner glows, missile smoke trails, and explosions—that bring visceral energy to each engagement. Weather effects such as rain and low clouds occasionally hamper visibility, adding an element of challenge to precision strikes.

The FMV sequences are a highlight for vintage-game enthusiasts. Shot on soundstages with practical sets and actors in flight suits, these videos capture the 1990s aesthetic perfectly. While the film quality is not HD by today’s standards, the production value and voice performances immerse you in the escalating drama of the NATO-Russia clash, making the intermissions feel like mini-episodes of an action thriller.

Story

The narrative of JetFighter: Full Burn hinges on a geopolitical skirmish over oil rights in Norwegian waters, offering a dual-perspective approach that encourages players to replay the campaign as both NATO and Russian pilots. This structure lends depth to the conflict, allowing you to experience the same events from opposing moral and strategic standpoints. It’s a pleasing twist on the usual “good vs. evil” air combat trope.

Full Burn’s interactive movie sequences drive the storyline forward, providing context for each mission and introducing a cast of commanders, intelligence officers, and squadron mates. These vignettes use clickable hotspots to guide you through dialogue choices and briefings, heightening the immersion as you learn about shifting alliances, resource shortages, and political maneuvering on both sides of the Cold War-style divide.

While the plot follows a largely linear progression, small branching moments in the FMV segments can affect mission order or unlock bonus objectives. This adds replay value and invites players to experiment with different dialogue paths. The stakes ramp up steadily as skirmishes escalate into pitched battles, culminating in dramatic showdowns that tie back into the overarching oil-field dispute.

Overall Experience

JetFighter: Full Burn delivers a fun, action-oriented flight experience that sits comfortably between pure simulation and arcade shooter. Its blend of crisp FMV storytelling and straightforward mission design makes for a nostalgic trip for fans of 1990s PC air combat, while the accessible flight model ensures newcomers can jump in without fear of a steep learning curve.

Though its graphics and FMV quality show their age, the game’s brisk pacing and engaging setpieces help it hold up surprisingly well. Multiplayer modes extend its lifespan, and the dual campaigns encourage multiple playthroughs. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, storyline-driven jet fighter with enough realism to feel authentic but a focus on cinematic thrills, Full Burn remains a worthy pick.

For potential buyers, consider Full Burn as an arcade combat sim with a heart—one that prioritizes story engagement and dogfight excitement over exhaustive flight mechanics. Its mix of linear missions, interactive movies, and multiplayer skirmishes offers a well-rounded package that’s both accessible and entertaining, making it a solid addition to any flight game collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10