Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Twin Calibre brings together two distinct simulation experiences under one roof, offering both deep-sea submarine warfare and high-adrenaline aerial dogfights. In 688 Attack Sub, players take the helm of a Los Angeles–class nuclear submarine, managing sonar systems, weapon loadouts, and silent running protocols. The complexity of sonar tracking and counter-detection measures provides a satisfying challenge for those who enjoy methodical, strategic gameplay.

Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat adds a contrasting pace, placing you in the cockpit of iconic fighter aircraft from World War II and the early jet age. Mission types range from bomber escorts and ground-attack runs to classic one-on-one dogfights. The flight model strikes a balance between accessibility and realism, allowing newcomers to pick up basic controls quickly while rewarding mastery of maneuvers like high-G turns and energy tactics.

Both titles feature mission briefings, dynamic weather, and varying difficulty levels that cater to simulation purists as well as more casual players. While 688 Attack Sub focuses on resource and risk management—deciding when to fire torpedoes or deploy countermeasures—Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat emphasizes split-second decision-making and situational awareness in three-dimensional space. This duality makes Twin Calibre a compelling package for simulation fans seeking variety in their arcade-sim experiences.

Navigation between missions and simulations is seamless, with a straightforward menu system that clearly distinguishes submarine sorties from aerial campaigns. Unfortunately, the control schemes for each game are distinct enough that players may need to customize key bindings or controller profiles for optimal comfort. Still, once set up, both games run smoothly and respond well to input, making each sortie or patrol immersive and engaging.

Graphics

Given their original release dates in the late 1980s and early 1990s, neither simulation pushes modern hardware to its limits, but both deliver period-appropriate visuals that hold nostalgic charm. 688 Attack Sub’s cockpit view emphasizes functional instrumentation over flashy effects; sonar pings and radar sweeps are rendered in simple color palettes, conveying critical data without unnecessary clutter.

Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat features cockpit panels filled with gauges and indicators, while outside views offer enough detail to identify friendly and enemy planes on the horizon. Terrain textures in ground-attack missions are basic by today’s standards, yet they effectively guide your flight path and target acquisition. The minimalist HUD keeps the focus on essential flight information, and warning indicators provide feedback during high-stress maneuvers.

Both games maintain stable frame rates even in the most action-packed scenarios, ensuring that split-second decisions aren’t hindered by graphical slowdowns. While you won’t find advanced lighting or high-resolution textures here, the clear presentation of tactical data and the functional design of on-screen elements support the simulations’ core objectives—realism and playability over visual spectacle.

Story

Neither 688 Attack Sub nor Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat relies on narrative flair akin to modern single-player campaigns. Instead, story elements are woven into mission briefings and debriefs, situating you within Cold War tensions or World War II/early jet-age conflicts. In 688 Attack Sub, your orders come from a naval command structure, assigning you tasks like tracking Soviet ballistic missile subs or escorting friendly vessels through contested waters.

Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat frames its missions around historic or fictionalized combat scenarios, referencing legendary pilots and pivotal battles. Briefings often include situational maps, target priority lists, and recommended altitudes, helping you infer the broader strategic context. While there’s no overarching character-driven arc, the scenarios evoke the thrill of piloting for freedom or homeland defense, lending a palpable sense of purpose to each sortie.

For simulation enthusiasts, the sparse storytelling is a feature rather than a flaw, allowing the gameplay mechanics to shine without unnecessary cutscenes or forced dialogue. The narrative framework provides sufficient motivation to tackle each mission, and optional mission logs offer additional background for those interested in military history or aviation lore.

Overall Experience

Twin Calibre offers an attractive value proposition by packaging two well-regarded Electronic Arts simulations into a single collection. The juxtaposition of undersea stealth and high-speed aerial combat ensures long-term replayability, as you can switch between strategic submarine patrols and adrenaline-fueled dogfights whenever you desire. This variety prevents the experience from feeling repetitive and keeps both halves of the compilation fresh.

Players seeking authentic military simulations will appreciate the attention to procedural detail in sonar operation and radar management in 688 Attack Sub, as well as the flight dynamics and damage modeling of Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat. Although modern sims may offer more polish or graphical fidelity, Twin Calibre’s straightforward design reduces setup hurdles and allows you to dive directly into the action.

The learning curve is moderate: newcomers may find the subsimation controls initially daunting, while aerial combat novices might struggle with energy management and deflection shooting. However, the games include training missions and adjustable difficulty settings that help ease players into their respective systems. Veteran sim pilots will likely relish mastering every nuance and hunting for the perfect engagement.

Overall, Twin Calibre: 688 Attack Sub + Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat remains a worthwhile purchase for simulation enthusiasts and retro gaming aficionados. Its dual-focus design offers contrasting yet complementary experiences, demonstrating how Electronic Arts once set the standard for military sim titles. Whether you’re plotting an undersea ambush or pulling off a clutch dogfight, this compilation delivers hours of strategic and tactical fun.