Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Air Combat throws you into the cockpit as a freelance mercenary, taking on a string of linear missions that steadily increase in difficulty. From the outset, you’re tasked with engaging terrorist strongholds, escorting friendly convoys, and neutralizing enemy air units. The mission briefing system clearly lays out primary and secondary objectives, while optional side tasks provide extra cash for upgrades—keeping the gameplay loop fast-paced and rewarding.

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The game’s controls strike a balance between arcade simplicity and flight-sim authenticity. You can switch between a first-person cockpit view and a third-person chase camera reminiscent of Afterburner, tailoring the experience to your comfort level. Targeting and lock-on mechanics are accessible to newcomers yet allow for skillful play: mastering flare timing, managing weapon loadouts, and conserving fuel all add strategic layers to each sortie.

Progression comes down to cold, hard cash. Completing missions and side objectives nets you money to purchase new aircraft, advanced missiles, and wingmen support. Bringing along AI pilots creates dynamic dogfights that feel more like real combat scenarios rather than isolated skirmishes. On top of the single-player campaign, there’s a split-screen 2-player deathmatch mode and a handful of hidden mini-games and bonus planes, ensuring there’s always a new challenge or secret to unlock.

Graphics

Despite its PlayStation-era pedigree, Air Combat delivers crisp, colorful visuals that hold up surprisingly well. Enemy jets, ground vehicles, and explosion effects are rendered with just enough polygon detail to convey speed and impact, and you’ll appreciate the smooth frame rate as you barrel-roll and loop-de-loop through a variety of landscapes. Mountains, coastlines, and desert bases each have distinct palettes, helping missions feel unique.

The choice between cockpit and third-person views not only affects gameplay but also presentation. In cockpit mode, you get a functional HUD with radar, altitude, and weapon indicators, while the external view gives you a cinematic sense of scale and drama. Textures may look blocky by modern standards, but the animations—like missile trails and smoke plumes—are surprisingly convincing and add to the arcade-style adrenaline rush.

One standout feature is the ability to play your own music CDs in the background, letting you curate a custom soundtrack for your dogfights. This simple but powerful option injects personality into each mission and helps you get in the zone. Overall, while Air Combat doesn’t push the graphical envelope compared to later titles, it still provides a satisfying visual feast for a mid-’90s console flight game.

Story

Air Combat’s narrative is straightforward but serviceable: you’re a hired gun flying for governments, corporations, and any other organization willing to pay top dollar. Each mission briefing sets the stage with political and military stakes, though the story rarely ventures into deep character development or plot twists. Instead, it focuses on the visceral thrill of aerial combat and the escalating challenge of more formidable foes.

The lack of cinematic cutscenes and voice acting keeps the pace brisk, allowing you to jump into the action without wading through exposition. Briefings are text-based, with occasional still images to illustrate key targets or locations. While this minimalist approach may feel sparse, it aligns with the game’s arcade roots and keeps you motivated by the promise of bigger paychecks and deadlier hardware.

Variety comes from mission settings rather than narrative complexity. You might start by quelling a small terrorist cell, then move on to intercepting a hijacked passenger jet or disabling anti-air batteries in enemy territory. Though the story framework is thin, the changing objectives and rising urgency of each assignment maintain a sense of purpose throughout the roughly dozen-mission campaign.

Overall Experience

Air Combat shines as a pick-up-and-play flight game that still feels engaging decades after its release. The combination of arcade-style controls, mission-based structure, and upgrade mechanics creates a satisfying loop that keeps you coming back for “just one more sortie.” Whether you’re a seasoned flight-sim veteran or a newcomer craving airborne action, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Replay value is boosted by a local split-screen deathmatch mode, hidden jets to unlock, and quirky mini-games tucked away in the extras menu. The option to blast your own CD playlist further personalizes the experience, making each session feel uniquely yours. Though the single-player campaign is relatively short, these additional modes extend the game’s longevity.

On balance, Air Combat delivers a compelling blend of accessible gameplay, nostalgic graphics, and simple yet effective mission design. It may lack the narrative depth and realism of modern flight simulators, but its arcade spirit, steady progression, and secret content ensure it remains a worthy purchase for fans of aerial combat and classic PlayStation action.

Retro Replay Score

7/10