Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Total Air War delivers a multifaceted flight simulation experience by blending high-fidelity F-22 sorties with a fully dynamic, ever-evolving campaign theater. Players can jump into the cockpit of the premier air superiority fighter and engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, or switch to the E-3 AWACS mode and exert strategic control over the entire battlefield. This duality ensures that you’re never limited to a single style of play; whether you prefer dogfighting at supersonic speeds or orchestrating allied task forces on a tactical map, Total Air War offers both without compromise.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The heart of the gameplay lies in its procedural campaign generator. Set along the volatile shores of the Red Sea, the game automatically shuffles multiple factions—regional powers, superpowers, and insurgent groups—into fluid alliances and opposing coalitions. As the virtual war rages, Total Air War spawns fresh flight missions in response to frontline developments. You can choose to accept these missions straight away, tailoring your personal progression, or dive into the robust mission editor to tweak every parameter, from weather conditions to enemy strength.

This feedback loop between mission outcomes and the broader campaign map is particularly compelling. Successful F-22 sorties can tip the scales in your favor, weakening enemy air defenses or disrupting supply lines, while failures may embolden the opposition and force strategic retreats. Meanwhile, when manning the E-3 AWACS, you’re not flying in the traditional sense but commanding a live battlespace in real time—issuing directives, vectoring fighters to intercept threats, and managing assets on a hex-based tactical layer. It’s a true two-in-one package that rewards both stick-and-rudder skills and strategic acumen.

Graphics

Released in the late 1990s, Total Air War’s graphics bear the hallmarks of its era but still manage to impress through attention to detail and clarity. Cockpit instrumentation is crisply rendered, with legible dials and indicators that mirror the real F-22’s flight deck. Outside views of the supercruising Raptor, complete with accurate geometry and sleek lines, evoke the feeling of piloting one of the most advanced fighters ever built.

The terrain engine does a commendable job of simulating the varied coastal and desert landscapes around the Red Sea. From towering mountain ranges to arid plains and shipping lanes, the map textures, while somewhat blocky by modern standards, allow for quick terrain recognition and effective tactical planning. Weather effects—dust storms, broken clouds, and fluctuating visibility—add both visual diversity and genuine challenge to mission planning and execution.

On the AWACS map, graphical simplicity is a virtue. The top-down hex grid and icon-based units may not be photo-realistic, but they provide the clarity required for strategic decision-making. Real-time movement paths, threat arcs, and target designations are all visually intuitive, letting you focus on battlefield management without getting bogged down by overcomplicated visuals. In sum, the graphics serve the gameplay well, balancing performance with functional presentation.

Story

Rather than a scripted narrative with fixed cutscenes, Total Air War’s “story” emerges organically from its dynamic campaign engine. Every playthrough constructs a unique geopolitical scenario around the Red Sea, pitting established military powers against each other in fluid, shifting alliances. This emergent storytelling means that no two campaigns unfold the same way, and your actions directly shape the conflict’s outcome.

The minimal backstory—centering on regional tensions exacerbated by global superpower involvement—provides just enough context to set the stage without overshadowing player agency. As you engage in repeated sorties or guide your side from the AWACS platform, the ebb and flow of victories, stalemates, and setbacks create a personalized war chronicle. You become invested in the fortunes of your wings, the resilience of civilian zones, and the strategic value of key islands and ports.

In lieu of cutscenes, the game uses mission briefings, debriefings, and command communiqués to convey the evolving narrative. Debrief reports track your kill ratios, target damage, and mission failures, then translate those results into shifts on the campaign map. This procedural narrative approach fosters genuine immersion, since you witness firsthand how a well-executed SEAD run can pave the way for a decisive push or how a failed defense mission can unravel your entire air superiority strategy.

Overall Experience

Total Air War stands out as an ambitious blend of first-person flight simulation and high-level tactical warfare. Its dual-modes cater to both the adrenaline junkie who craves head-to-head dogfights and the strategist who prefers to orchestrate an entire air campaign from the comfort of a command node. This versatility extends the replay value indefinitely; each new campaign offers fresh tactical puzzles and flight challenges.

The learning curve can be steep, particularly for newcomers to complex flight sims or operational-level command games. Mastering the F-22’s avionics, weapon loadouts, and energy management takes dedication, while effective AWACS play demands strong situational awareness and timely decision-making. Fortunately, the mission editor doubles as a training ground, letting players craft custom scenarios to practice air-to-air engagements, ground-attack runs, or large-scale coordinated operations.

Ultimately, Total Air War’s greatest strength is its living, adaptive war theater. By linking individual missions to a broader campaign facet, it delivers a cohesive sense of purpose to every sortie. Whether you’re raining down precision strikes in the Raptor or guiding allied squadrons from the AEW platform, you’ll find yourself invested in the battle’s long arc. For enthusiasts of realistic flight sims and operational command, Total Air War remains a captivating, if era-bound, gem that rewards both stick time and strategic insight.

Retro Replay Score

8.2/10