Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Combat Wings: Battle of Britain plunges you directly into the heart of aerial warfare without bogging you down in lengthy pre-flight preparations. From the very first mission, you’re handed the controls of authentic World War II fighter planes and told to get on with the job—shoot down enemy aircraft, protect bombers, or intercept incoming raids. This streamlined approach ensures that every moment you’re in the cockpit feels intense and focused on dogfighting.

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The control scheme strikes a balance between accessibility and depth. You can adjust flaps and landing gear, which adds a tactical layer when engaging enemies at different speeds or preparing for an emergency landing. Quick commands to your AI wingmen allow you to coordinate attacks or call for support, creating a sense of camaraderie in the chaos of battle. While hardcore simulation fans might miss complex physics and fuel management, most players will appreciate the immediate, arcade-like thrill of turning, climbing, and lining up the perfect shot.

With 23 missions spanning both bright daylight and the dark of night, Combat Wings offers a variety of objectives—defensive patrols over the English countryside, bomber escort runs, and high-stakes interception sorties. The mission design keeps you on your toes: sometimes you’re outnumbered, other times you’re racing to intercept bombers before they reach London. Multiplayer modes, including deathmatch and team deathmatch for up to 10 players, add even more replay value and let you test your skills against real opponents.

Graphics

The visual presentation in Combat Wings is one of its standout features. Detailed landscapes stretch out beneath you—rolling fields, patchwork farmlands, and coastline vistas give a strong sense of place over wartime Europe. Atmospheric effects such as drifting fog, dynamic cloud cover, and the glare of a setting sun heighten immersion and force you to adapt your tactics based on visibility and lighting conditions.

Aircraft models are authentically rendered, with nine distinct planes ranging from the nimble Supermarine Spitfire to the lumbering Handley Page Halifax bomber. Cockpit interiors, while not fully interactive, are convincing enough to make you feel you’re in a WWII-era cockpit. Explosions, tracer fire, and debris effects during aerial engagements contribute to the visceral feel of each dogfight.

Sound design further bolsters the graphics, with roaring engines, the whine of machine guns, and radio chatter from your squadron creating a believable audio environment. On occasion you may notice pop-in of distant terrain or lower-resolution textures when flying at extreme altitudes, but these minor drawbacks don’t significantly detract from the overall visual appeal.

Story

Combat Wings doesn’t aim to deliver a sprawling narrative but rather focuses on recreating the urgency and heroism of the Battle of Britain. Each mission comes with a brief historical backdrop and specific objectives that tie into real events, such as intercepting Luftwaffe raids or defending key airfields. These concise mission briefings set the stage without dragging you through long cutscenes or heavy exposition.

While there’s no central character or branching dialogue, the game provides enough context to make you feel invested in each sortie. Hearing your squadron leader’s radio calls—urging you to “clear the skies” or warning of incoming flak—adds personality and variety to the missions. The lack of a dramatic storyline might disappoint players craving a narrative-driven experience, but fans of action-focused flight sims will appreciate the straightforward, mission-oriented structure.

Historical enthusiasts will find value in the authentic aircraft roster and mission scenarios, even if the storytelling is minimalist. Combat Wings prioritizes the immediacy of combat over character development, which helps maintain a relentless pace and keeps you coming back for more dogfights.

Overall Experience

Combat Wings: Battle of Britain delivers an engaging blend of arcade-style flight action and historical authenticity. Its core strength lies in the immediacy of aerial combat—no setup phases, no complicated avionics menus, just you, your gunsight, and the vast skies of wartime Europe. For players looking for quick, exhilarating dogfights, this game hits the mark.

The inclusion of both single-player and multiplayer modes broadens its appeal. Solo players will enjoy the 23 varied missions set against changing weather and lighting, while competitive pilots can jump into deathmatch or team-based skirmishes with up to 10 participants. This flexibility ensures that whether you prefer cooperative squadron tactics or free-for-all dogfights, Combat Wings has something to offer.

Packaged in the North American release are two additional City Interactive titles—Combat Wings and World War II: Pacific Heroes—providing extra value for buyers. While hardcore flight-sim aficionados may crave deeper systems and physics, casual and mid-level players will find Combat Wings: Battle of Britain a satisfying and accessible entry into WWII aerial combat.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10