Jane's WWII Fighters

So, you were lucky enough to receive Jane's WWII Fighters for Christmas, but after a few hours of getting your butt shot out of the virtual skies you're feeling a bit frustrated? That toughness lends the game depth, making it well worth your time to master. And, this strategy guide will get you started on the path to do just that.

So, you were lucky enough to receive Jane's WWII Fighters for Christmas, but after a few hours of getting your butt shot out of the virtual skies you're feeling a bit frustrated? Well, don't feel bad-with realistic physics and damage models, and ruthless AI opponents, this is one tough sim. But that toughness lends the game depth, making it well worth your time to master. And, this strategy guide will get you started on the path to do just that. (If you received another flight sim-such as Microprose's European Air War or Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator-read on. Much of the info here will help you too!)

As most air-combat vets will tell you, the best tool to become a great pilot is training, training, and more training. Allied pilots were the best-trained pilots in the second World War, and look who won? Sure that's over-simplifying the matter, but it's a big reason why the Allies dominated the skies in the Battle Of The Buldge (superior numbers didn't hurt either, of course). So, before we get into the meat of WWII Fighters, we're going to take a moment here to explore the extensive training tools the sim offers. These may seem like obvious tips, but they are so often overlooked by people new to the genre.

First Things First
Once you've installed the game, my first recommendation is to click on the Fly Now icon on your desktop, and jump right into some combat-even if you haven't glanced at the manual, or even flown a flight sim before. Why? Well this should satiate your hunger to see what the game looks like, and to fire some guns. But most of all it should teach you that you need to spend some time in training if you hope to do well.

That Jane's name that accompanies the game isn't there for show-there's a real good reason EA spent all that dough to include it. Did you notice that thick manual, and extensive control chart (the best I've ever seen included with a game) that fell out of the box when you opened it? Well, pick those up off the floor and take a look at 'em.

The Obvious
Next, leave your computer, go to the fridge, grab a bottle of beer-or your favorite non-alchoholic beverage (this may be wisest as it's even dumber to drink and fly than it is to drink and drive)-sit in a comfy chair, and read that manual cover to cover. I know it's tough, as no one likes to study to play a game. But if you wanted this sim, the odds are you're also a war-history buff and won't mind. There's tons of excellent information to be found inside-particularly regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each of the aircraft in the game, and how to perform various air-to-air and air-to-ground combat maneuvers.

When you're done, study the reference card. If you absolutely refuse to read the manual, this card is good enough to get your through the game by itself if you use it. Now, finish your drink, and go back to your computer. Place the reference card flat in front of your monitor, if you have the space--if not, place it on your lap. This little foldout could save your virtual life (it often did mine). Study the viewing system, which may seem a bit complex when you first use it, very closely. After a little practice-and memorization of the key-combinations to cycle through air and ground targets-you should be appreciating its complexity.

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