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Platform: PC, PS2, XB Genre: Flight Action Publisher: LucasArts Developer: Totally Games ETA: Winter 2003
Related Links: Review: Aero Elite - Combat Academy (PS2)
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Secret Weapons Over Normandy
Whenever I hear mention of "Totally Games" or "Lawrence Holland" I can't help but break out in a cold sweat. Although I certainly enjoyed both X-Wing and TIE-Fighter, the mission designs were devious. I used to lay awake at night imagining combat maneuvers and trying to work out approach patterns. "Take out the first wave of TIEs, then switch to the ion cannons after unloading all my proton torpedoes into the nearest frigate." Even today I can drop into a mission and know exactly what to do -- I have at least 60% of the game memorized thanks to the number of times I attempted each mission. To say X-Wing and TIE Fighter were difficult games is an understatement but they were addictive, too. It's that bit of background information that will continue to roll through my brain until Secret Weapons Over Normandy (successor to the original Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe) arrives Winter 2003. But enough of my rambling, here is the official information:
Spanning a period of four years when world domination by the Third Reich seemed a near certainty, Secret Weapons Over Normandy allows players to relive the most infamous air battles of that era to help swing the balance of power back to the Allied Forces. The game follows a historically accurate timeline of key conflicts, beginning with the dramatic Evacuation of Dunkirk; the fierce Battle of Britain; Germany's daring planned invasion of England, known as Operation Sea Lion; the pivotal Battle of Midway; and culminating in the war's most brutal battle, the D-Day invasion. Among a multitude of legendary Allied, German, and Japanese aircraft in Secret Weapons Over Normandy, players can pilot the twin-engine P-38 Lightning; the P-51 Mustang, one of the fastest piston-driven fighters of the era; the dangerously unstable Me 163 Komet rocket plane; Me 262 turbo jet fighter, the first-ever jet fighter in combat; and even be a gunner in the B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber. Secret Weapons Over Normandy features the voice of Will Lyman, best known for his narration of the PBS series Frontline. Academy Award nominated Japanese actor Mako delivers authentic World War II Japanese Imperial dialect. Adding to the overall experience, the game's sound has been derived directly from field recordings of actual World War II-era aircraft. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of Secret Weapons Over Normandy offer single and multiplayer cooperative modes. The PC version includes a mission builder that will allow players to create their own World War II experience.
Join a secret squad of pilots dedicated to thwarting the most heinous plans of the Third Reich. Fly over twenty authentic aircraft across thirty daring missions in this new WWII action-flyer. Lawrence Holland, the legendary creator of Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: Tie Fighter and Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe returns with an exhilarating new game of action and intrigue. Can you be trusted with the most dangerous secrets of the war?
Features: Immerse yourself in intense WWII flight action as you make your way through the ranks of an elite fighter squadron.
Fly more than twenty realistic aircraft across a variety of combat theaters over World War II Europe and other territories.
Engage in over thirty action-packed missions featuring air-to-air and air-to-ground battle scenarios.
With the flood of games that drown the Fourth Quarter I always have a tough time actually looking forward to games that are scheduled to hit just before Christmas. But I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to Secret Weapons Over Normandy. Not only because Totally Games is behind it, but because of all the features that are being promised, especially the PC version's mission builder.
Watch for it Winter 2003.
- Omni (July 20, 2003) |
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