Jetfighter IV

Pros • Easy to learn how to fly the plane • The game has some really cool theme music as well as decent sound effects • Game has a very comprehensive plot • Completely customizable game and display options maximize the power of your computer • Top notch graphics and frame rates • Controls and buttons laid out effectively	Cons • There really is not too much difference between the fighter planes with respect to handling and control • The game is not too stable and does crash occasionally • If you’re of Russian, Chinese, Korean or Middle-Eastern descent, you may object to the portrayal of your country with respect to the plot • Game released without Multiplayer support
Bottom Line Part Simulator, mostly arcade, this game gets the job done when it comes to air combat action. The World is at war with the United States. Jetfighter IV combines virtually every past adversary of the United States into a Tom Clancyesque plot where the American interests are being threatened worldwide. Israel is under attack from many Middle Eastern countries. Not only that, a coalition between Russia, Korea and China is set to attack California. It is up to you and the rest of the U.S Armed Forces to protect your homeland. While the overall premise is quite inflammatory to a more liberal mind, the game does a great job of combining the intricate plot with mission campaigns. The arcade style handing and feel of the game makes for some fast and intense action. The strongest aspect of JFIV is the detailed graphics, especially when flying in the city. Simulation fans may find the game a bit simple, but the arcade-style action and challenging missions make this game worth a go.

The United Sates is under attack from the Coalition. Russia, China and North Korea want to attack America. The reason is unclear, but when does war ever really make sense? The Western Pacific is the battleground and the U.S.S. George Washington, on which you are stationed, must defend California. At the same time, the Middle East is on fire as all of Israel’s enemies are banding together and attacking Israel. The premise of this game, though very intricate and highly integrated into the game’s plot, is very simplistic and inflammatory. It makes no bones about who America’s enemies are on the world stage. In a day and age of a more educated population, government decisions and attitudes are more likely to be questioned. And if I didn’t know any better, I would have to say this game almost seems like anti-Russia, anti-China, anti-Korea, and anti-Middle East propaganda.

The controversial plot notwithstanding, JFIV does have many assets to its benefit. The game is very well developed in the graphics category. Whether or not you use the hi-res graphics (provided on the second CD), the game looks absolutely fantastic. The cities and the surrounding mountains and water bodies look quite real. The game boasts that the source for the land and cityscape is the U.S. Government itself. Flying through the various locales in this game is fun on it’s own as it feels like a world to explore. Players with more powerful computers will be able to reap all of the benefits of the graphical potential of this game. However, even with the graphical settings lowered, the game still looks quite real.

To the graphics, add easy to control fighter planes, to the point where the realism of flying them is suspect. The planes handle more like U.F.O.’s in the sense that they can pull off impossible maneuvers. If you have a bogey on your tail, you can almost pivot the ship on an axis to turn and face them. All in all, this is not really a drawback as it just makes the game easier to play for novice and intermediate pilots; simulation fans be warned. The HUD does take a little getting used to, but works very well at providing you with all the info you need. The default joystick and keyboard controls are quite ideal and require almost no changes to make sure that you can fly and attack effectively.

The action in this game does get frantic at points. Enemy surface-to-air missiles, AAA guns and, of course, enemy fighter planes will keep you on your toes to avoid getting blown away. The missions in this game are sometimes complex and involve multiple objectives. There is a whole myriad of enemy targets, each with its own respective strengths and weaknesses. One problem I always run into is flying in formation with your wingman, and this game is no exception. Sometimes it is just better to go on your own and annihilate the targets yourself. The one-player campaign mission is long and rewarding throughout, with fairly quick progression. If you are tired of these missions, you can make your own. Choose the type and number of enemies, set up the parameters and away you go on a custom mission.

One drawback of JF4 is that it is not the most stable of games. It sometimes freezes and occasionally doesn’t even load. To avoid complications, make sure that you have the latest drivers and directx. The JF4 website (www.jetfigherIV.com) also provides you with numerous patches and updates to correct some of these problems. Another unfortunate aspect of this game is the lack of multiplayer mode. Although the menu screen provides this option, the game was released without multiplayer support. Fortunately this problem is likely to be fixed with another patch.

Overall, Jetfighter IV is a well-developed and comprehensive flying experience. The game is a “War-in-a-box” package, complete with arch-villains and propaganda (nationalism not included). If you can get past the jingoistic premise, you will be able to reap the rewards of an arcade-style flight (and fight) simulator. The high-end graphics work well in conjunction with the intense missions to give you a pulse pounding air combat experience. The arcade control and feel make flying and attacking quite easy to learn and get used to. The game is completely customizable in almost every category including graphics and difficulty. Although the game is unstable at times, ongoing updates from the website do help a little. Multiplayer support, though not included in the boxed version, should be available soon from the website.

Mandip Sandhu

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