Eagle One Harrier Attack
Price 33.99 USD
Despite unremarkable 3-D graphics and a laughable premise, Eagle One: Harrier Attack is nonetheless a fun and challenging air combat simulation that should satisfy most couch-bound fighter jockeys" need for speed. An underground terrorist organization has seized control of Hawaii and brought the nation down on its knees (snicker), requiring the player to save the day by successfully completing 25 missions using four types of aircraft. The missions are played out in consecutive order--with video newscasts in between to provide story details--and can be replayed to improve performance or to seek out the game"s 10 hidden stunt bonuses, which reward fancy flying with a fifth playable fighter plane and a secret mission. The game also features a two-player split-screen mode that comes in two flavors, cooperative play and head to head. The gameplay in Eagle One: Harrier Attack is solid, with simple controls and a well-designed training mode that does an especially good job of acclimating gamers to the hover mode of the Harrier and rescue helicopter. In addition to being able to play from a first- or third- person viewpoint, players can manipulate an external camera view to get a better (or different) look at things around the aircraft when the game is paused; replays can be watched in the same fashion. --Joe Hon Pros: Fun and challenging air combat Hover mode of Harrier and rescue helicopter adds gameplay variety Stunt bonuses add additional mission replay value and unlock secrets Language selection of American English, Spanish, and French Cons: Unremarkable 3-D graphics More suited to hard-core fighter-simulation fans than casual gamers