Feb 2001 Volume 82 Number 2 "serving the protectors"
By Mike Horsfall

SWAT 3: Elite Edition

Those who have already experienced SWAT3 should try out the Elite Edition, with more missions and extended multi-player action. The graphic detail in SWAT3 is the best seen on any PC, console or even arcade machines. The effort that has gone into such realistic-level design and objects will see players hide behind their keyboards in fear. Muzzle flashes, characters blinking and breathing, C2 gas canisters billowing out tear gas and light-sticks emitting an eerie glow like something from the X-Files are just some of the eye candy players will notice.

If watching shows like Cops or LAPD: Life On The Beat on late-night TV stirs something up inside, then SWAT 3 is just for you. Barricaded suspects, VIP details and escorts, arrest warrants, hostage situations, hot extracts, sieges, terrorists and just plain “keeping da peace” all feature.

If you haven’t seen SWAT 3 running, you should. It’s one of the greatest titles ever, and it’s up there with Half-Life. Be entertained, and go out and save some virtual lives!

To play SWAT 3 you will need a PC with at minimum Pentium 2 233, 32MB RAM 550 MB hard drive space.

COMBAT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2 - WWII PACIFIC THEATRE

In the late ’90s, Microsoft released the very popular and successful World War II fighter plane simulator, Combat Flight Simulator. Now, the much-anticipated Combat Flight Simulator 2 has hit the stores. From the opening screen and mission briefing to successful combats, CFS2 is thoroughly enjoyable – Microsoft has truly hit the mark.

Providing the ability to fly as part of either the American or the Japanese air force, CFS2 provides several significant changes over the previous versions:

• Advanced aircraft detail and damage effects.
• A new, scrollable virtual cockpit system.
• Obliging wingmen and squad mates.
• Landing signal officer.
• Mission builder.

To play Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 you will need a Windows 95 or later PC with a 266 Pentium or better (preferably better), 32MB RAM or 64MB for Windows 2000, and about 400MB hard drive space.

At an RRP of about $99, this flight simulator is entertaining and educational.

MECHWARRIOR 4: Vengeance

The latest version of MechWarrior has just hit the shelves and, to the surprise of many, Microprose does not publish it. This fourth carnation is now a Microsoft product, and this will in no way tarnish the game’s highly regarded name and reputation.

So, what is MechWarrior? You simply pilot a mechanical warrior – a 40-foot high, 80-ton, 90mph, armed-to-the-teeth chunk of steel called a Mech, one of the new inventions you’ll meet in 3063.

The storyline follows on from the previous three, but previous knowledge is not a requirement. You and your lancemates have just returned home from the last battle to find your home world overthrown in civil war. You must reclaim control and assert your authority.

If you played one of the earlier editions, it would have been apparent that you needed a top-end system to get decent frame rates. This is not the case with MechWarrior 4. With a revamped, or possibly an entirely new, game engine, the game should run smoothly on almost any 3D-accelerated PC, keeping in mind that you should always read the requirements on the box before you purchase.

This also refers to graphics, as they have spared no expense to bring you the best Mech sim so far. It’s simply mesmerizing to watch the fluent movements of the Mechs as they walk, run, twist, turn and even fly. The sound is also of high quality, providing a gaming package that is hard to beat. Mechwarrior 4 - Vengeance wins our stamp of approval.

GOLFING GREATS

Although in the upper price range, Links 2001 (Microsoft) is compelling, demanding and feature-packed. The latest in the series of Links golf simulations provides excellent value for money and will find a sweet spot on any sports fan’s PC.

The game features exhilarating graphics that take virtual players closer to the real thing than ever before. Links 2001 claims to be “the most realistic golf sim for the PC”.

The preferred system requirements are a multimedia Windows 95 or later PC with a Pentium II 233 or 266, 64 MB RAM and a video card capable of displaying 32bit colour at a resolution of 1024x768 (800x600 16bit is acceptable). A modem is required for those interested in online play. RRP is $89.

mich@picknowl.com.au

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