Review by:   Mark Arnott

Game:        Jetfighter III
Publisher:   Eidos Interactive
Format:      CD-ROM
Available:   Out now

Requires:
 
O/S:         Dos 5+
Processor:   486DX2/66+
RAM:         8Mb+
Graphics:    SVGA 1Mb
CD-Rom:      X2
Soundcard:   All major cards supported

Tested on:

O/S:         DOS 6.2 - Windows 95
Processor:   Pentium 100
RAM:         32Mb
Graphics:    SVGA 1Mb
CD-ROM:      Quad speed
Soundcard:   Soundblaster AWE 32
Controls:    Keyboard & Joystick

Jetfighter III

Probably the most influential Flt Sim ever was F18 Interceptor. I flew it on an Amiga and maybe it was available on other platforms. I also remember trying to drop a life-raft near a downed pilot a few times, but that's another story. The chap responsible for that masterpiece was Bob Dinnerman. While looking through the credits in the manual for JF3 I happened to notice his name mentioned under the headings for design and program, 3D models and game design. This got me very excited, and I knew that this would be a good one.

The 180 page manual is excellent and makes good reading as it is not taken straight from the original aircraft manuals. It has good pictures and is well laid out, and also includes a key-map for the budding aviator to prop up next to his monitor. No problems were encountered during installation. Most of the scenery is left on the CD and as recommended in the readme.txt I set a large Smartdrv cache for the CD-ROM drive, some of the frequently used scenery directories can be copied onto the hard-drive for faster access, these are identified in the manual.

When EF2000 was released it forced me to upgrade my system, Jetfighter III has had the same effect (well a new graphics card is on order). This Sim really does need a top of the range PC to run it with all the knobs and sparkly bits on show. The creators have compensated for this by providing four different screen resolutions to choose from, the first being VGA 320x200, which does actually work OK, right up to Super SVGA 640x480. The visibility can be set to clear, hazy or foggy to adjust the frame rate further. If you are unfortunate enough to be using a DX 486 2-66 as recommended as the minimum spec' machine, then the clouds, cockpit, terrain shading and head movement can get the chop as well. I'll just mention that "head movement" is a feature that makes the viewpoint float slightly, so if you 'wang' the stick left, your virtual head hits the right side of the canopy, it is a novel feature but can make you airsick.

As recommend in the manual I was running JF3 in WIN95 DOS-mode, unless you have one of the computers that was used on Toy Story I suggest you do the same, or the words Chug, Clunk and Jerk will become well known in your house.

Instead of having a load of boring menu pages the player walks around the aircraft carrier visiting rooms such as briefing, operations and cabin amongst others, there is a pull-down shortcut menu if you want to get straight to a room. In the library you can access the Aircraft encyclopaedia which is 500 pages of photos, drawings and script which is stored on the CD and is a nice break if you've been splashed once too many times. You can even visit your own cabin and check your Email which changes from day to day, or gloat over the medal case. I didn't visit my cabin much :(

There are two campaigns available and the usual freeflight, instant mission etc. The first campaign uses Cuba as it's scenario, Argentina is the second. I always believe that a few training missions are in order when flying a Sim of this standard. There are thirteen training missions to complete, ranging from basics to weapon delivery, when these are complete you can start your campaign. On all missions you are accompanied by a wingman, he can be given orders to attack targets which is handy when you are out of weapons and a big help if you have an SU27 in your "six" that will not shake off. The main aircraft used is the F22 but there is an option to fly the F18 also. The F22 is an aircraft built using stealth technology and my biggest moan is that the radar can not be turned off to maximise the stealth effect. I don't understand how this fact has been overlooked. The radar can be set to only detect hostiles which is a good feature when a lot of aircraft are about. The ECM can be turned on and off but that's no use if the radar is lighting you up like Piccadilly Circus.

Viewpoint options are many and varied. The HUD contrast can be adjusted. The radar screen can be overlaid on the head-up view. There is a virtual cockpit. Loads of MFD's to look at. There is a good full screen map that can be zoomed, this is useful for getting an overview of the situation. If a SAM is fired at you it is possible to see the smoke generated by it's launch and that gives you a good feel for where you should be placing the aircraft to avoid it, along with generous offerings of chaff and flare. Radio chatter is well portrayed, you can hear your wingman passing bits of info and other aircraft in the area can also be heard, this all adds to the general atmosphere and is feature that I feel is too often ignored.

The textured scenery is very pleasing to the eye, there are no joins or big blocks if you get below 500Ft. It was modelled from real satellite photos and flying high is just as much fun as being down in the weeds. There are hills and valleys to fly over and through, and a scattering of cities and airfields.

Dogfights are fun because the enemy AI is rather good. If you fire a missile from way off they can act accordingly by chucking flares around as you would, this tends to draw you in to close combat with short range sidewinders or cannon. There is more satisfaction to be had by a few minutes of dodging his missiles then getting into his six for a good close lock-on and wasting him with a vengeance rather than a clinical long range kill when all you see is a dot disappear from the radar.

Landing back on the carrier can be interesting. Autoland is available but I prefer not to use it. The wave height can be set to varying degrees so the whole task is made that much more difficult. There is an ILS system and I tried to land according to the manual but it did not go well and ended up devising my own method of approach. You are awarded points for the accuracy of the landing.

JF3 is a worthy addition to any flight Sim collection, but take heed of the machine specifications needed to run the game.

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Rating: 8/10 (Recommended)
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