From: tblackma@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (Marauder)
Subject: Re: Falcon MC Demo (at last)
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 92 16:32:12 GMT

In article <1ekmcgINNh8d@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> ch166@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Louis Moreau) writes:
>
>   I've downloaded Falcon MC demo from umich a few hours ago. Here
>are my first impressions.
> 
>- It runs in 4bit mode; maybe 256 colors would be too slow...
>- The window is smaller than 640x480; to accomodate the 12"
>Apple monitor, I guess.
>- Even tough it's in color and the ground view is much more
>complex, on my IIsi it seems to run as fast as the B&W 2.2.
>- It's very like my old Falcon 2.2: same familar controls, same 
>cockpit instruments etc. I didn't have any problems adjusting
>myself to this "new" F-16 and dog-fighting Migs (Mig-29, BTW)
>or bombing nuclear centrals. But there is no "cheat key" anymore
>(in the demo at least)   :(
>- It has new AA and AS weapons. Some new controls, like a target
> lock-on sound etc. Bitching Betty is still there.
>- The 4 usual views (sides, back and front) have not changed but
>there is a few new views as in Falcon 3 for the PC: tracking, 
>camera, missile (follow your Maverick to its target !) and chase.
>- The major default of Falcon 2.2, I think, was the poor ground
>details. In the MC version this have been fixed. Now flying at
>a few meters above the ground is impressive. You can set the
>amount of details like: "gradient" horizon (in 16 colors you
>cannot really speak of gradient...), far terrain, complex river etc.
>- Some sounds could be disabled (e.g. the sidewinder growling is
>VERY annoying and disabling it is a good thing).
>- The planes (the bandits and yours) are now vectorised i.e. no
>more jerky plane animation.
> 
>   The demo play in the unrealistic 1st Lieutnant mode i.e. unlimited
>ammo for all weapons, super engin, no drag, no SAM etc. But you CAN
>crash and be shoot down and the fuel is (VERY) limited (about 2000
>pounds). Most of the features are disabled in the demo: no black box, 
>2 players play, ejection, choice of mission or level. But it gives a good
>feeling of the game.
> 
>   Falcon is the best flight simulator I've seen and this new version
>keeps it up to date. For thoses of you who have never played Falcon,
>believe me this demo doesn't give it full credit. And for thoses
>who have played Falcon, you know what I'm talking about.
>   I just have 3 wishes: that you can play with an opponent on a PC,
>that the full version is not slower than the demo and... that Spectrum
>Holobyte will let me upgrade for a few bucks :)
> 
>             Louis
>-- 


I downloaded it last night and I was very disappointed in it.  Although it is
a vast improvement over the original B/W version,  its still need lots of
work to be a decent simulator for the mac.  My gripes are

1-  Views out the cockpit absolutely suck.  Sure there are great       
    still shots of detail inside the cockpit, but you can't see anything
    outside.

2-  Only supports a small box on the screen and its still to slow to enjoy,  
    even on my si.

3-  forward cockpit is way to crowded.  To much info and not enough outside
    space shown.

4-  Controls are still bad.  Unless you have a mouse stick, forget it.

5-  No rudder controls.  So far hellcats and Flight sim 4 are the only 
    ones with it.

    Although it is a good improvement over the original, it still can't 
compare to Hellcats.  Yes, it is a great F-16 simulator, but as a flight
simulator and combat simulator its sucks.  To all you falcon fans out there,
wait.  Check out Graphics Sims f-18 simulator in Jan. and then decide.  If
you have seen and played Hellcats (esp. the new missions), I'll bet you
won't be disappointed.

Happy Hunting.....
Tom
-- 
tblackma@gn.ecn.purdue.edu--------------------------Thomas Blackman
Paint em all, let the judges sort em out.          Go team Tippmann