• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1992
• Similar Games: Red Baron (Macintosh), Red Baron (Arcade), Red Baron (Commodore 64/128), Red Baron (IBM PC Compatible), Aces Over Europe (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Aces of the Pacific, part of the Great Warplanes Series, is the follow up flight combat simulation to Dynamix's successful Red Baron. The game comes packed with options for the fledgling fighter pilot, including a mission builder, mission training mode, historical missions, and dog fighting to name a few. More than thirty authentic aircraft make their appearance in Aces of the Pacific, including Japanese and American craft (you can choose to fly as either). Each plane is detailed to incorporate unique handling abilities in maneuvering and combat. Career (campaign) mode or single mission flights are optional. Training missions (as well as regular missions) include Aerial Gunnery, Dive and Torpedo Bombing runs, and carrier landings, ground attacks, escort missions, and intercept missions and more. Animated cinematic sequences handle medal presentations, and printed newspaper headlines and articles detailing progress. Aces of the Pacific features multiple plane dogfights and squadron attacks as well as solo raids. Included is a detailed and comprehensive manual that provides background and historical recaps of the major Pacific Theater encounters, along with flight characteristics and notes on all available aircraft used in the game. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

A continuation of the Great Warplane Series designed by Damon Slye, Aces of the Pacific is the follow up title to Red Baron in this flight simulation by Dynamix. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

A well-rounded package and cohesive structure takes you through the full scope of the Pacific war. Further enhancement is available through add-on scenarios. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Production Credits

Director and Designer: Damon Slye

Director of Programming: Bob Lindstrom

Lead Simulation Programmer: Lincoln Hutton

Lead Shell Programmer: Christopher Reese

Programming: Nathan Dwyer, Paul Bowman, Ryan Hinke, Caedmon Irias, Dayne Freitag, Nancy Hamilton

Mission Scripts: Norman Nelson

Art Director: Mark Peasley

Lead 3D Graphic Artist: Cyrus Kanga

3D Graphic Artist: Damon Mitchell

Artists: Peter Lewis, Jarrett Jester, Tito Pagan, Mike Jahnke, Ron Clayborn, Mark Vearrier

Photography: Dale Tendick

Audio Director: Alan McKean

Original Music Score: Jan Paul Moorhead

Sound Effects, music: Christopher Stevens

Historical Research: John Bruning

Director of R&D: Darek Lukaszuk

QA Manager: Forrest Walker

Actors: Maurice Matsumori, Todd Michael Crowson, Masakatsu Dannoura, Gregg Furukawa, Jim Hoffman, Dan

Giustina, Robert Canaga

Director of Publications: Lynne Tunstill

Publications Manager: Kevin Lamb ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

More advanced and complex than the earlier Red Baron, there is a definite learning curve required before Aces of the Pacific reaches full potential for the wannabe ace. Do not expect this game to be as easy to master as the "seat-of-your-pants" flying that made Red Baron such a successful and popular title. However, rather than a complaint, that is a good thing. Dynamix improved their flying series in various areas that include smarter enemy pilots through a better AI, better sound, training missions for learning flying, combat, ground attacks, carrier landings, and an auto-pilot feature that launches you directly into the action rather than requiring interminable flight time to get there. Enhanced story line peripherals include animated cinematic sequences that kick in when receiving medals, and progress reports in the guise of newspaper reports.

Aces of the Pacific chronicles the real life air war of WWII in considerable detail. It is obvious the Dynamix development team did their homework in producing a viable simulation of the Pacific war from Pearl Harbor to V-J day. Even with the huge number of missions included in the game, this review would not be complete without mentioning the superb add-on package developed shortly after the game's release. WWII:1946 is a re-write of the end of WWII where the United States is faced with taking the war to Japan's soil without benefit of the atomic bomb. The add-on notwithstanding, Aces of the Pacific provides ample opportunity with the original missions and the mission building capability to keep you strapped in the cockpit for a long time, assuming you do not eject with accompanying injuries, or fall into enemy hands, another enhancement included in the game.

At the time of release in 1992, Aces of the Pacific contained state-of-the-art graphics, a decent frame rate, and realistic sounds associated with the various aircraft and combat situations. With the option to fly as either a Japanese or American pilot, replay value is assured when coupled with the large number of aircraft available to choose from. Scrambling, escort missions, dog fighting and patrolling are just some of the actions you can choose in this representative look at the Pacific air war theater. The investment of time required to master the various aircraft is not intrusive, but actually enhances the playing experience significantly as does the realistic use of bright sun, clouds, and damage that will affect your plane's performance. Whether flying the F4U-1 Corsair, the Zero (the Japanese plane of choice), the F4F-3 Wildcat or any number of the more than two dozen aircraft available, you will have your hands full in keeping your "six" from being shot off in this realistic depiction of air warfare. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

Simplistic by current standards, but extremely well done for a game released in 1992 that requires decent frame rates and smooth flowing VGA graphics. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

Engine pitch, flak, and metal tearing when strafed by the enemy are just a few of the enhanced sounds you will experience. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

If at first you do not succeed (and even if you do!), try and try again. With a multitude of missions, aircraft, and the choice of sides to fight for, the sky is the limit on replays. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

Contains engaging history of the WWII air war, with explicit instructions on flying the many aircraft and missions available in the game. ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide

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