Pick of the Week

PC Game - MiG Alley

After a long delay, the flight simulator of the year has finally landed. Set during the Korean War, it stars you as a bigshot pilot in the USAF who must protect the South Koreans from the advances of their northern cousins.

Unfortunately, you also have to contend with the Chinese and Russians, whose MiG fighters are infinitely superior to your jets. In five main campaigns, you can fly missions in either pre-set mode or, using a brilliantly designed control interface, completely rehash them. Before you put on your Biggles hat, fly a few sorties in the Quickstart and Hotshot modes - one panicky jolt of the joystick and you'll find yourself hurtling towards the alarmingly realistic Korean terrain. As with their previous gem Flying Corps, the designers have not stinted on detail. Your F86 Sabre, F84 Thunderjet, F80 Shooting Star or P51 Mustang (you can also defect and fly a MiG15) not only look like the real thing, but behave like them too: leaky bits, cranky throttles, sluggish engines and a tendency to go down after a bullet bashing.

And when you don't feel like struggling for air supremacy, you can always read the fascinating manual. 9 out of 10. Empire Interactive: 0181 343 7337 (www.empire.co.uk).

Price: GBP 34.99

Copyright 1999
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