AeroWings (series)
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AeroWings is a flight simulator series produced by CSK Research Institute (now CRI Middleware) for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 consoles and the Windows operating system.
Introduction
Aerowings/Aero dancing is considered by the fans as the first true attempt of combat flight simulation on console. On the contrary of the Arcade-oriented "Ace Combat", Aerowings series provides fairly accurate flight physics, 3D cockpits views, real weapons loads, possibilities to take off, land on airbase or carrier, refueling and a replay video system which is able to record your entire flight and offers you the possibility to create your own movie with more than 30 different cameras (including the popular "shaky cam"). The last Aero dancing called Aero Elite in the U.S. is also the last of the series because of the splitting of the creators company (CRI). This series is recommended for flying enthusiasts who like a fair amount of accuracy in a console flight game.
Games
AeroWings / Aero Dancing
The first game of the series was AeroWings. This game is focused on the formation flight and aerobatic, and the player is a flight team leader. It was only released for the Dreamcast.
AeroWings 2: Airstrike / Aero Dancing F
The second game in the series is AeroWings 2: Airstrike, or AeroWings 2: Strike Force in UK. Unlike its predecessor, it features aerial combat simulation. It was released for the Dreamcast and Windows. On release, Famitsu magazine scored the Dreamcast version of the game a 30 out of 40.[1]
Aero Dancing i
The third game, Aero Dancing i, was only released in Japan, for the Dreamcast and Windows. The "i" stands for Internet, as it was the first title of the series with an online mode. It was also the first in the series to offer air-to-ground missions. On release, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 31 out of 40.[2]
Aero Elite / Aero Dancing 4
The fourth game in the series is Aero Elite: Combat Academy. It was only released for the PlayStation 2. The last sequel of the series was also considered the best: quality graphics, very detailed and animated 3D plane models, over 60 planes to fly (including Mig 29, SU27, Mirage2000, Harrier, A10, Tornado, etc.), challenging missions and new original features like the "scramble" mode - a random interception mission where a player must take off, intercept an unknown intruder plane, take pictures to identify it, then return to the base and land to finish the mission. On release, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 30 out of 40.[3]