Join the Mighty 8th and Master the B-17.

• Author: Silbergeld, David LL.
• Position: Hasbro/Microprose flight simulation B-17--the Mighty 8th - Software Review - Brief Article - Evaluation

If you remember the Memphis Belle, the famed U.S. bomber of World War II, an era when:

* Streams of Allied bombers pounded occupied Europe day and night to cripple Germany's war capacity.

* Thousands of U.S. airman risked their lives everyday, hoping to survive 25 missions over enemy controlled territory, guarded by their "little friends"-escort fighters, including P51-D Mustangs, P-47 Thunderbolts or P-38 Lightnings--and challenged constantly by Messerschmitt 109Gs and 262s and FW-190s.

Then, prepare to become a living part of those experiences with a new Hasbro/Microprose flight simulation, "B-17--the Mighty 8th."

Reminiscent of great World War II movies, such as "Twelve O'Clock High," the Mighty 8th is a sim in which you can experience graphically detailed role-playing and strategic challenges in a single, dynamic package, with stunning visual effects and amazing game play.

A sequel to Microprose's 1993 sim, B-17 lets you command a single bomber, and play every one of the 10 positions of the crew-pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator, waist gunner (left or right), engineer, top turret gunner, ball turret gunner or tail gunner. Or you can command a squadron of six planes and their crews, planning and carrying our strategic missions over enemy territory. The normal 12 plane-squadron has been reduced to six for practicality.

Whichever way you choose to play, you'll he in control of B-l7Gs. "G" designates the model of the B-17 that appears in this sim. Before you start, you get to name your bomber, pick your squadron, select your nose art and name your crew--all of them!

This last part is important to the success of any crew, because of the personal interdependence required to survive. Your goal is to make it safely through 25 missions that range from "milk-runs" to deep-penetration flights (sometimes unescorted) to Germany. Game-play options include single missions (bomber or fighter--escort or enemy), training missions (take off, landing, bombing, navigation and gunnery), or full-scale campaigns (historical or squadron).

Squadron campaigns require you to plan your own missions by defining targets hit, aircraft used, routes taken during the long-range "strategic" bombing campaign. All campaigns are dynamic, in that success or failure determines the nature of future encounters and missions.

Seems like a lot of choices, but this remains one of the best features of this sim--no time for boredom. Each choice has the cumulative effect of...