I am a sucker for World War II aerial combat games, games like IL-2 Sturmovik or others that feature the option for aerial combat like Invasion 1944 or Battlefield 1942, so when I got an email about the upcoming XBLA, PC and PSN game Dogfight 1942 today I had to go exploring the depths of the internet to find out all I could on this game. Unlike IL-2 Sturmovik Dogfight 1942, which was previously known as Combat Wings, does not take the realistic or war simulation approach to aerial combat. Instead we have a game that is designed to be an accessible arcade based aerial combat game that has three different modes, user friendly controls and twenty different planes to experience.



Normally these kind of fun focused aerial combat games that are designed to appease all kinds of gamers tend to not be all that fun due to a lack of depth and detail, plus they often don't have impressive graphics or controls that fit well with aerial combat, but I am bit more hopeful with Dogfight 1942. First off they are well aware that they are making an arcadey type of plane game, secondly they actually have detailed plane explosions and damage models, third they are embracing co-op and allowing it in all three modes and generally the game doesn't look like trash. Of course I haven't seen it in motion yet, but they will be showing off a playable demo of the game at E3 and if we are lucky we will be attending E3.



Dogfight 1942 is being made by City Interactive, whom are relatively new and the only game I know them for is Sniper Ghost Warrior. They announced today that Dogfight will be a downloadable title, meaning it will not cost $60 and it will be for Xbox Live, Playstation Network and Steam. The three modes it will feature are: Dogfight Mode, Survival Mode and Campaign Coop Mode. All of the co-op seems to be split screen co-op, not online, but I am hoping that it will be for both. In the game you won't just fly planes, but you will also be able to man anti-aircraft sites or you could take control of the gunner position on a bomber.



Sure Dogfight 1942 could turn out to be mediocre like so many other arcade based air combat games, but the game is impressive looking with seemingly high production values and I cannot wait to see it in action at E3. Hopefully this game will reinvigorate the genre a bit. There is a little bit of information available for it if you would like to read more about it. They are going to release a demo of the game before it releases, but they do not have a release date for it yet, however it does seem like it will be coming out sometime in 2012. Thanks for checking it out and I will certainly write about it at least once more.
Main Website (placeholder atm): http://www.dogfight1942.com/
City Interactive Page: http://city-interactive.com/en/Games/Dogfight-1942
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dogfight1942


-Written by Sean Cargle