They follow different phases of the war, and a user's mission performance helps dictate the objectives for the following sortie. Pilots blasting fighters out of the sky without also subduing enemy supply efforts and providing close air support to troops will soon find themselves having to retreat. Such realism does not come at the expense of entertainment value. MiG Alley 's outstanding graphics dazzle with good terrain, aircraft and special effects. Clouds, rocket smoke trails and explosions are convincing, though the smoke trailing from damaged aircraft sometimes looks unnatural.
Sound effects are another major factor in the suspension of disbelief.
Radio traffic, weapon reports and wind resistance from bullet holes or air brakes keep PC speakers busy. MiG Alley 's most notable shortcomings result from its lack of attention to novices. While the aforementioned documentation's aesthetics are welcome, it's unfortunate that meager attention is available for new users. The help is sparse for general flight and combat training, and the game's training missions hardly approach the standard set by the Jane's simulations. The manual includes a brief history of the war, but Aviation History readers will probably find it weak.