Red Baron II - PC Review - Gamecenter

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Red Baron II
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CNET Gamecenter Review
By Hugh Falk
(1/27/1998)

Game at a Glance
Recap: The Baron's almost back
Ups: Updated flight model; excellent campaign
Downs: Buggy; in need of acceleration
Multiplayer: Good
Single player: Good
Demo: NA
Patch: NA
In his classic 1988 movie The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, director Terry Gilliam poses the musical question: "What has become of the Baron?" Fans of Sierra's classic WWI flight simulator Red Baron often asked the same question while eagerly awaiting the sequel. The answer has finally come, but to understand it, you'll need a brief history lesson first.
Published in 1990 by Dynamix (one of Sierra's developers), Red Baron was a great single-player game with a fabulous flight model, campaign mode, and state-of-the-art graphics that could push even a 486 to its limits. However, it wasn't until 1992 that Red Baron truly became a game for the ages--it was then that RB went live on The Sierra Network (later renamed ImagiNation Network) and became a multiplayer sensation. I ran a Red Baron squadron called the Blue Knights for over a year, which should tell you two things: 1) I loved the original game; and 2) I am a total geek, and any social advice I give should be taken cautiously.
For WWI flight simulation advice, however, you've come to the right place. I've logged hundreds of hours on Red Baron, and I'm one of those who eagerly awaited the release of the sequel. Red Baron II is here, and the answer to Mr. Gilliam's question is: The Baron is back...but buggy.
Look to the Skies
Often I preach that graphics don't make the game; gameplay is much more important. Well, Red Baron II is testing my mettle because it's not graphically impressive. Visually, RBII is a huge improvement on the original; as would be expected after seven years. However, the original had fabulous graphics for its time, and the sequel is far behind current graphic standards. From 300 feet, the terrain is actually quite scenic, but it becomes blocky at close range. The performance is also suspect. RBII needs an updated 3D engine or at least 3D accelerator support because it runs choppy at times, even on the recommended hardware (a P200). Fortunately, the graphics are scalable and upcoming patches Red Baron II are expected to provide support for some accelerators--support that really should have been in the retail version.
My mettle tested well, however, and any gamer that accepts the graphics is in for a truly engrossing experience. First, the multiple cockpit views (particularly the slewable mode, which simulates the pilot's head turning) are a vast improvement over the original and add to the game's realism. The sound also immerses the player in the cockpit. You can distinctly hear different planes' propellers and bullets whip past your plane. You can also hear what direction sounds are coming from, and you'll never forget the first time flak explodes nearby, jolting your plane upwards from the impact.

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Red Baron II

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