Janes F/A-18 Simulator

Jane's have brought us some of the best, most detailed simulators in recent times, and F/A-18 is no exception; this game has all the quality we have come to expect from Jane's. Climbing into the pilot seat of the F/A-18 Super Hornet in this game is a pleasure. Like most flight simulators, a solid grasp of basic avionics and a quick read of the manual are almost essential to a successful flight.

The graphics have not been too accurately rendered in this game, but as a result, the frame rate remains high and the game is smooth through even the most hectic combat scenarios. There is a useful key map provided, which at a glance can give you most of the information you need. There is also a detailed tutorial, which will give you most of the flight basics.

Joystick functions are well supported and using rudder and throttle controls on your stick are a big advantage. The extra joystick buttons can also be used to move through the aircraft master modes, such as air-to-air, or air-to-ground. The sound is surprisingly quiet but good, and the other air traffic voices provide a to range of relevant information.

As with many modern flight simulators, F/A-18 has a fully operational cockpit, in which all the switches and dials can be controlled. But at the same time, there is a good level of options to make the game playable at all levels--novice or top gun. If you enjoy flight sim, this is one of the better offerings in the world of naval aviation. --Chris Hall