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Attack on Pearl Harbor (PC)

• Developer:
• Publisher: CDV Software
• Genre: Action
• Official Website: http://www.pearlharbor-game.com
• Score: 3 of 5: Bargain Bin

In a world of realistic PC flight sims, Attack on Pearl Harbor is definitely a stand out title. It's not necessarily better than a more punishing and realistic dogfight experience, but it certainly is different. If you're a casual flier, want to blow up ships, and wouldn't mind winning World War II single-handedly then Attack on Pearl Harbor is just the game for you. If you genuinely care what the gauges read and what all those little switches in the cockpit do then you'll need to look elsewhere because Attack on Pearl Harbor is aimed at a more casual audience.

There's a story to be told, but unless you were sleeping through high school history class when the Pacific theater portion of WWII was covered you know the gist of it. Of note, however, is the manner in which the story is presented. Colorful comic book panels serve as bookends for each mission. They introduce your pilot, explain the mission, and and they're a refreshing take on the same old "Destroy that carrier" mission briefing (even if the Japanese side of the conflict is portrayed a bit stereotypically). They don't make you feel like a real soldier, but they're not supposed to. This is an arcade game you can play at home.

Attack on Pearl Harbor's focus is definitely combat and explosions. The player is punished by flying in any semblance of a straight line due to AI pilots always knowing the player's location. This increases the sense of "Oh crap, can I pull this off" but it would have been nice to fly to the target and then engage the enemy instead of the other way around. In creating a more arcade experience the concept of strategy is completely lost. It's just not possible to fly stealthily, flank an enemy aircraft, and shoot it down relatively undetected. Attack on Pearl Harbor has only one speed - nonstop action.

Missions, although not terribly varied or original, aren't of the "complete successfully and then - and only then - move on" type. Taking a page from Wing Commander's book, the outcome of the mission affects the story down the road. If you fail, the game isn't over, but things may not be quite so convenient further down the road.

It's not deep, and it's certainly not for the hardcore flight sim nut, but if you're prone to grin like an idiot every time you blow up a frigate (like I am) then Attack on Pearl Harbor is a pleasant distraction. Unfortunately, the repetition keeps me from coming back to it very often.

Sep 18, 2007 | 2 comments
Justin Last