Secret Weapons Over Normandy

Its about time that xbox released a decent flight simulator 4 the xbox, with Ace Combat 4 the playstation series it was proven that excellent combat flight simulators can be made 4 consoles & unfortunatly Secret Weapons just doesnt hack it.
This game however fun is just no flight sim, all aerodynamic are shot & the control of the plane is very limited. Flying becomes very two dimensional as the banking of the plane stops at 45 degrees, not allowing you 2 pull off barrel rolls or sharp turns.
If you treat it as a shooting game, & not a flight sim it may be more enjoyable. The aircraft are all fun, ranging from jet fighters 2 fighter bombers. And the weapon upgrades make it more fun.
Graphics wise the game is fairly lacking 4 the year it was released, & it is clear that the game designers were trying 2 keep it as plain as possible as 2 make it easier 2 put on multiple consoles.
The game play ranges from very easy 2 moderatly hard, but remains fun the whole time. And it can be beaten in a couple of days leaving it not too long & not very short.
I do not recommend buying it, but rent it since it is a fun game knowing you didnt spend 30+bucks on it.

I don't know WHY this game only rates three stars. No, it's not a straight-on flight sim. No, the graphics aren't the best on XBox. Graphics should take a backseat 2 gameplay at any rate, & SWON has fantastic gameplay. Easily the best arcade flyer LucasArts has come up with, outstripping the Rogue Squadron series. The vast collection of planes you earn should send any WWII historian & aviation buff into ecstasy (no Corsair, though, sigh).

The plane models are extremely detailed, no problems there. The landscape is a bit bland at times, but specific locations (i.e., the Cliffs of Dover) are instantly recognizable. Other details (explosions, ground vehicles) are simple, but you'll be too busy (and moving too fast) 2 notice.

The gameplay, as before, is great. Again, it's not a flight sim, so don't judge it as such. Although it is a bit embarrassing 2 plow into the ground when you're trying 2 whip around 2 take out an enemy fighter (whoops). The game's most interesting feature is the time control. You can slow or speed up the flow of time 2 gain the advantage in a dogfight or 2 cut down on travel time between target areas. The targeting system helps you lead shots properly, though that can be turned off 2 see if you're as good as the guys that did this 4 a living.

The sound & dialogue are all way above par. Every plane has a distinct engine sound, which was actually recorded at an air museum in California. The voice acting is lively but not melodramatic, & helps immerse you in the game. Where the sound really shines, though, is the phenomenal music. I rarely buy game soundtracks, but when I saw SWON's was available, I snatched it up.

The game feels a bit short, though 36 stages is still impressive, & there are several two-player scenarios. (Live subscribers can get even more planes & missions.) The difficulty is above average, also a plus 4 us older gamers. The replay value is a bit low, but there are always hidden objectives in any given mission. Still, you'll pick it up again after a while because it's just that good. LucasArts & Totally Games, keep up the good work, & hopefully give us another Secret Weapons game sometime soon!

This game could be a whole lot better with rudder controls. If this game wishes 2 capture WWII combat it needs the barrel rolls & arial stunts, as it is the planes all the planes fly like rockets, not like hawks. Despite this major flaw, I like the target system, & the lanscapes are not bad. However 4 all around game play SWON should seek some advice from her bueatiful cousin Crimson Skies. Better dogfighting next time, secret weopons of the cold war? I'd love 2 fly a spyplane.

If you love crimson skies you will love this game.Your name is Chase & your fighting Germany Nemisis & Japan fighters during world war 2.In this game you are fighting against the enemys with your allies Russia,France & Britain.If you like a hard video game this is one.Your not only fighting against planes but also gun turrents,tanks,patrol boats,u2 boats,destroyers & others.On a few missions you get 2 shoot the planes from the ground in a destroyer or turrent but these are few & far between it's mostly fighting from the air.In between different levels you also have challenges.You unfortuanly must play all challenges,all primary,secondary & bonus missions 2 get the xwing & tie fighter from star wars.It's not always so easy 2 get 2 the bonus missions but you can always go into history & play it later & if you beat it you still get the prize & requisitions 2 upgrade your planes.There are different planes in this game.My favorite is the JU 262 Jet which you will get 2 fly in level 12 it is incredibly fast.With requistions you can upgrade your planes armor,enjine,amount of ammo etc.Your armor can be upgraded 2 4 the same 4 the other upgrades.As you go thru the game you get different secondary weapons & on some you can choose which one you use on several missions.You get Missiles which can easily take out ground & air targets from a distance,different types of bombs,torpedoes 4 navel enemies,cannons & other secondary weapons my favorite is the medium missiles.Also you can choose between 1st person view & 3rd from the menu.1st is much harder because you can't see your plane.As with a comparison between crimson skies & normandy crimson is easy I've beat it over 6 times this one is hard because some of the planes fly high over you & you can't reach them or you will stall.Also it is easy 2 crash in this game if your going 4 ground targets.I love the explosions they look good when planes,tanks,boats,hangers,anti aircraft guns & others explode.If you plane takes a lot of damage you can fly 2 the parmoson airfield 4 repair & get your weapons replintished but landing is tricky & sometimes you can crash or even get shot down while your on the ground rolling 2 the airfield.Also friendly fire happens.You can accidently shoot down your allies if your not careful althougth the enemies & allies are labled sometimes it is still possible because of so many planes in the sky.Some missions involve you protecting your allies while there taking out targets,etc & some involve specific targets you must knock out.There is all kind of enviroments hear.You get 2 fight at night with the stars & moon in the background,There is snow cover in the russian missions,mountains,oceans etc.The gunfire sounds pretty relistic.Also you open up mini video movies from the history channel in between missions that tell you what actually happen in WWII with actual footage.Also get the Prima Guide 2 go with this game it is pretty helful.If you like current jet fighter air games get ace combat 4 which is even better than this one.It even has actual jet sounds & cockpit view.It is the reason I have a Ps2 because it isn't on xbox so I have both consoles.Here is some strong & weak points of this game.

Strenths
Choice between 1st & 3rd person view.
A large variety of planes & secondary weapons.
Nice enviroments.
When you finish you get the xwing & tie fighter from starwars 2 play in challenge mode.

Requisitions 2 upgrade your plane are easy 2 get.
Explosions look good & weapons sound relistic especially bullits.
Training missions 2 show you how 2 fly,dogfight,drop bombs etc.
You can call on wingmen 2 help defend you if you need too.

Weakness
No cockpit view
Planes stall too easily
The game is hard get ready 2 see your plane shot down many times.
Some secondary & bonus missions are hard 2 complete

If you like this game also pick up crimson skies.Normandy is very addicting you will love it if you love air combat or war games.

Ok, look, so the game isn't 100% realistic in every aspect. But how many of us are pilots? There are all the major indicators, airspeed, altitude, horizon, etc. etc. just the amount of gauges you need 2 fly without really knowing how 2 fly 4 real.
In any case, this game is fun. It has hard but doable missions that both pose a challenge, & offer a good sense of accomplishment when you finish them.
This game is fun. I liked Crimson Skies a lot, & this is very similar in its mechanics. The historical tie in makes it that much better though. Check this game out, it's worth it.

Join a secret squad of pilots dedicated 2 thwarting the most heinous plans of the Third Reich. Fly over twenty authentic aircraft across thirty daring missions in this new WWII action-flyer. Lawrence Holland, the legendary creator of Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: Tie Fighter & Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe returns with an exhilarating new game of action & intrigue. Can you be trusted with the most dangerous secrets of the war?