Heroes of the Pacific - PS2, X-Box and PC
The Codemasters have released some more screens and loads of info on their upcoming title, Heroes of the Pacific. The game dumps you in the cockpit of a variety of US and Japanese military aircraft to then take part in the famous carrier battles and raids that were unique to the Pacific theatre of war.
Many of the static screens are displayed using the classic Americana design style of the 1940s – so from difficulty level, through to mission briefing and plane selection, the screens will all have that wartime feel.
There are four classes of planes to defend Uncle Sam with: Fighters, for when speed and agility count the most, Dive Bombers that rain bombs from the skies above, Torpedo Bombers so you can hit 'em where it hurts, and Bombers with heavy armament for maximum impact.
The Codemasters are claiming that Heroes of the Pacific will deliver authentic handling across all aircraft from the US, Allied and Japanese forces thanks to a careful balance of real-world physics, flight dynamics and historical accuracy. This means you'll notice the difference in flying a P-80 Shooting Star, the US Air Force's first operational jet fighter, to a massive H8K Emily, the Japanese flying boat.
The US fighter planes will include the P-51 Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, and the P-47 Thunderbolt and meanwhile the more agile Japanese fighters, including the A6M Zero with its exceptional handling, may out manoeuvre your attacks.
As the war progresses, you'll be able to engage in more torpedo and dive-bombing attacks, requiring accurate flying and a good aim to make a direct hit. For that purpose the Codies have included the TBF Avenger and for dive bombing suties there’s the SBD Dauntless, famous for sinking four Japanese carriers at Midway. And the B-25 Mitchell is included for use both as a traditional bomber and a heavy ground attack aircraft.
As you win battles through the Pacific campaign, you can upgrade most aircraft and, with everything unlocked, the Codies say you'll have over 85 unique warplanes to pilot.
Heroes of the Pacific is slated for a September 2005 release on PC, PS2 and X-Box.
