Having read Per's "Top 10 Games" list (which reads more like a "Top 10 Games That Either Suck Or Are Known To About Six People, Likely Because They Suck" list), I decided to write my *own* top 10 list. But like the no-good lizard he is, Per cheated and actually created two *separate* top 10 lists, one for single player games and another for multiplayer games. Not me, though. Unlike reptiles, we rodents do *not* deceive people with such perfidious schemes. Oh, no. We have *integrity*. Therefore I'm going to post a single, unified *top 20* list that contains no ambiguous bullshit and leaves no doubt regarding my gaming preferences. In your face, lizard!
Anyway, let's get started:
20. Red Baron, Dynamix / Sierra Entertainment (1990)
One of the two flight sims I actually enjoyed (the other is Crimson Skies, and no, it won't make this list), this World War I air combat simulator was one of my very first PC games and the first game that blew me away with its realism, fantastic presentation and sheer playability. While not so realistic as to alienate a newbie player like me, Red Baron still boasts a decent flight model and provides a solid flying experience. Dogfight action is superb for such an old game, and difficulties such as the player getting injured or machine guns jamming at worst possible times only add to the challenge.
The game offers an impressive number of diverse British, German and French aircraft, from Morane-Saulnier Bullet to Sopwith Camel to Red Baron's own Fokker Dr.I. The simple, yet handy mission generator provides ample opportunity to take those birds out for a spin, though the campaign is where the real fun's at. Spanning the entire 1914-1918 period and letting the player assume the role of a British or German fighter pilot, the campaign is not only extremely entertaining, but also historically accurate. As months go by, new, more advanced aircraft are deployed and become available to the player. As the war unravels and fronts shift, the player is transferred from airbase to airbase and notified of important events, such as crucial battles and deaths of real-life fighter aces. Speaking of which, certain missions give the player opportunities to test his or her skills against famous historical pilots, including Manfred von Richtofen himself. Good performance on the player's part yields awards in form of medals and promotions, which create a genuine sense of accomplishment and do wonders for one's ego.
It's also worth noting that a sequel called Red Baron 3D came out in 1998, but it was broken to the point of being nearly unplayable. Official patches fixed some burning issues, introduced 3D acceleration and made the multiplayer mode not suck. Even after the official support ended, laborious fans continued improving the game on every level, from graphics to flight model, and as of 2005 the game is completely patched up. What's more, the latest mods add vastly improved flight and damage models, stunning visuals and a number of new fighters, making Red Baron 3D the best WWI flight sim ever, bar none. It isn't on this list because I haven't played it properly yet, even though I have been planning to for ages now. Once I do, there is a good chance this list will need an update.
Anyway, let's get started:
20. Red Baron, Dynamix / Sierra Entertainment (1990)
One of the two flight sims I actually enjoyed (the other is Crimson Skies, and no, it won't make this list), this World War I air combat simulator was one of my very first PC games and the first game that blew me away with its realism, fantastic presentation and sheer playability. While not so realistic as to alienate a newbie player like me, Red Baron still boasts a decent flight model and provides a solid flying experience. Dogfight action is superb for such an old game, and difficulties such as the player getting injured or machine guns jamming at worst possible times only add to the challenge.
The game offers an impressive number of diverse British, German and French aircraft, from Morane-Saulnier Bullet to Sopwith Camel to Red Baron's own Fokker Dr.I. The simple, yet handy mission generator provides ample opportunity to take those birds out for a spin, though the campaign is where the real fun's at. Spanning the entire 1914-1918 period and letting the player assume the role of a British or German fighter pilot, the campaign is not only extremely entertaining, but also historically accurate. As months go by, new, more advanced aircraft are deployed and become available to the player. As the war unravels and fronts shift, the player is transferred from airbase to airbase and notified of important events, such as crucial battles and deaths of real-life fighter aces. Speaking of which, certain missions give the player opportunities to test his or her skills against famous historical pilots, including Manfred von Richtofen himself. Good performance on the player's part yields awards in form of medals and promotions, which create a genuine sense of accomplishment and do wonders for one's ego.
It's also worth noting that a sequel called Red Baron 3D came out in 1998, but it was broken to the point of being nearly unplayable. Official patches fixed some burning issues, introduced 3D acceleration and made the multiplayer mode not suck. Even after the official support ended, laborious fans continued improving the game on every level, from graphics to flight model, and as of 2005 the game is completely patched up. What's more, the latest mods add vastly improved flight and damage models, stunning visuals and a number of new fighters, making Red Baron 3D the best WWI flight sim ever, bar none. It isn't on this list because I haven't played it properly yet, even though I have been planning to for ages now. Once I do, there is a good chance this list will need an update.
