Red Baron II explained

Red Baron II
Developer:Dynamix
Publisher:Sierra On-Line
Director:Tucker Hatfield
Producer:Graeme Bayless
Designer:Doug Johnson
Brian Apgar
Eric Lanz
Programmer:Brian Apgar
Artist:Douglas Brashear
Platforms:Microsoft Windows
Released:Red Baron 3D
Genre:Combat flight simulator
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer

Red Baron II is a video game for the PC, developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line. It is the follow-up to the flight simulation Red Baron, released in 1990. Red Baron II was released in December 1997.[1] A patch was released in 1998 that added support for 3D acceleration and renamed the game to Red Baron 3D.[2] Red Baron 3D was also released as a retail product.

Gameplay

The game features four modes of play: Fly Now (a quick combat mode); Single Mission, which includes several missions and a mission generator to create new ones;[3] Campaign mode, which features one of the only truly dynamic campaigns in a modern flight simulator and which replicates combat on the Western Front of Europe from 1916 through 1918; and peer-to-peer online play.

The game features many German, British, and French combat aircraft of World War I, and features pseudo-realistic flight physics and mechanics such as weapon malfunction, flak, engine damage, and pilot injury.

Reception

Red Baron II received above-average reviews. Next Generation called it "a fine addition to the series, and despite small, technical shortcomings, it establishes itself as one of the most entertaining flight experiences on the market today."

The game was nominated for the "Best Sim Game" award at the CNET Gamecenter Awards for 1997, which went to Jane's Longbow 2.[4]

In 2004, the staff of Computer Gaming World nominated the game's Full Canvas Jacket mod for their 2003 "Flight Simulation of the Year" award, which ultimately went to .[5]

Coupon

Some copies of the game included a coupon for 75 cents off a 12-inch Red Baron pizza. In 2014, YouTube user Clint Basinger of Lazy Game Reviews found the coupon bundled in with the game and, after finding out the coupon had no expiration date, took the coupon to a Food Lion and bought himself a Red Baron pizza with the coupon.[6]

Red Baron 3D

Red Baron 3D is a patch for Red Baron II which improves graphics and mechanics of the game and gives full multiplayer support. Red Baron 3D features 22 different flyable World War I aircraft, along with 18 other types flown by AI pilots.[7]

Reception

Red Baron 3D received more favorable reviews than Red Baron II. Next Generation said of the game, "If you've ever hankered to climb into an open cockpit and do battle with the early knights of the sky, this is your baby. All you need is a leather helmet, a pair of goggles, and a white silk scarf."

The single-player campaign of Red Baron 3D received particular acclaim, with critics commending the game's realistic portrayal of aerial combat and the various missions players were tasked with completing.[8] The game's AI was also noted as being challenging and unpredictable, keeping players engaged and on their toes throughout the campaign.[9]

The game was nominated for "Simulation of the Year" at GameSpots Best & Worst of 1998 Awards, which went to European Air War.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: December 16, 1997 . The Red Baron Flies Again for the PC . . https://web.archive.org/web/19980627112357/http://www.dynamix.com/pr/rb2-pr.html . June 27, 1998 . dead . April 24, 2022.
  2. Web site: IGN staff . August 25, 1998 . Sierra Fixes Plane Game . . . May 15, 2020.
  3. NG Alphas: Red Baron II . . . 17 . May 1996 . 83 . November 16, 2021.
  4. Web site: Gamecenter staff . January 28, 1998 . The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sims, Part 2) . Gamecenter . CNET . https://web.archive.org/web/20000928231623/http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss09a.html . September 28, 2000 . dead . November 16, 2021.
  5. CGW staff . Computer Gaming World's 2003 Games of the Year (Flight Simulation of the Year) . Computer Gaming World . Ziff Davis . 236 . March 2004 . 63 . November 16, 2021.
  6. Web site: Owen . Phil . March 9, 2014 . Man Uses 17-Year-Old Coupon for Frozen Pizza Bundled With PC Game . . G/O Media.
  7. Web site: Red Baron 3D Review . 2024-08-04 . GameSpot . en-US.
  8. Web site: Grabham . Dan . 2021-08-31 . Gaming Greats – Red Baron 3D (1998) . 2023-03-06 . Stuff . en-US.
  9. Web site: Red Baron 3D Review . 2023-03-06 . GameSpot . en-US.
  10. Web site: GameSpot staff . 1999 . The Best & Worst of 1998 (Simulation of the Year - Nominees) . GameSpot . Ziff Davis . https://web.archive.org/web/20001003072542/http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/genre6.html . October 3, 2000 . dead . November 16, 2021.