Lets get big the negative out the way to start with. The load times are very bad. From the PSP menu to playing a game takes an amazingly long one minute 55 seconds. Restarting the current map takes 15 seconds. It is simply not possible to have a “quick blast”. Alas this is an issue ... Read review
Advantages: Great graphics Disadvantages: Long load times
Lets get big the negative out the way to start with. The load times are very bad. From the PSP menu to playing a game takes an amazingly long one minute 55 seconds. Restarting the current map takes 15 seconds. It is simply not possible to have a “quick blast”. Alas this is an issue with the PSP more than just this game.
The graphics are lovely. Clear pictures of blue sky, cities and wildlife, the only faults I can come ... ...not quite enough stuff in a city and the wildlife is not animated. The lack of a cockpit might annoy some hard-core flight sim fans but the wildlife is just me being picky. The lack of stuff in a city does let the game down a little, but only a little. The buildings which do exist are well placed, and nicely modelled, and give the impression of a city and not a grey blocky texture on the ground.
Lets get big the negative out the way to start with. The load times are very bad. From the PSP menu to playing a game takes an amazingly long one minute 55 seconds. Restarting the current map takes 15 seconds. It is simply not possible to have a “quick blast”. Alas this is an issue with the PSP more than just this game.
The graphics are lovely. Clear pictures of blue sky, cities and wildlife, the only faults I can come up with for the graphics are – No cockpit mode, not quite enough stuff in a city and the wildlife is not animated. The lack of a cockpit might annoy some hard-core flight sim fans but the wildlife is just me being picky. The lack of stuff in a city does let the game down a little, but only a little. The buildings which do exist are well placed, and nicely modelled, and give the impression of a city and not a grey blocky texture on the ground.
I was pleasantly surprised with the controls. I was expecting either every button to be doubled up, or the controls to be too simple. Instead we have a great mix, only one button is doubled up (the start button is both flap control, and landing gear up/down). The controls take almost no time to get use to and more importantly work well. They could do with some improvement, or at least an extra few keys, the flaps are a three-state toggle. Not a large problem on its own, but mixed with the shared start key it does mean that sometimes instead of bringing the gears down I switch the flaps to “normal flight” instead of “landing”.
It does not have enough training missions; it jumps from a single engine training aircraft to a jet, with no missions between explaining the difference. It has 19 post training “missions” (9 civilian, 10 military), and 10 “Challenges” just enough to make the game worth buying, but not enough to completely satisfy.
The music is fine but bland background music. Does not make you want to run out and buy the album, or turn it off and get and MP3 player out. The in game effects are adequate, and the voice overs do the job.
Do I recommend this game? I know this is a bit of a cop-out, but what are you after? If it is a hard-core flight simulator, then the PSP is the wrong platform. This might get you by when you are away from Microsoft Flight Simulator X, but it is no replacement. An arcade flight sim, you would be better off with Ace Combat X, while this has dog fights and military missions, it does not have many. A mix of the two, or a light flight sim to waste away a lazy Sunday afternoon this is your game. It is simple to pick up and play and great fun without being too easy.
pilot academy , good game. you have a huge range of planes on the game, from a fighter jet - to a seven four seven- to an air tractor, all with amazing capabilitys and brilliant graphics on the game . scenarios on the game are really realistic and their are plenty of civilian missions, millitary style missions and lots of challenges one even asks you to fly under bridges upside down! which takes ages to master. you can take lessons on the planes ... ...a cessener plane which means that you are not really told how to land a seven four seven you have to use you knoweledge of the other planes to master a perfect landing. the game lets you fly to an altitude of 30,000 feet which ive only ever done once ! recommend the game highly ! p.s its loading screens take ages and the music does you head in !! ...
shley 15.09.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pilot Academy (PSP)
Advantages: Missions and competitions Disadvantages: Small range of commerical aircraft
This is a great game if you are into simulation and that sort of genre when it comes to gaming but there are some minor details. If you are into to commercial flying then this is not the game for you. Although many reviews say it has a big range of aircraft, it does. Most of the planes though are military and there are actually only two commercial planes! If you're not that bothered and do not like detailed simulation and are not THAT bothered about ... ...i say not that detailed I mean it is not as complicated as (for example) Flight simulator 2002/2004/ X etc. Also, it does not offer much space to fly aroung although it has a big map, once you've played it several time you get used to taking of from the same airport and there is no navigation either.
Otherwise, it is a realitvely good game with good graphics and the mission s and compertitions it offers you are rewarding in the sense you get upgrade ...
Axel123 14.04.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Pilot Academy (PSP)
Everyone's fascinated by the wonder of flying and Pilot Academy will allow everyone everywhere to enjoy commercial or military aircraft in a host of different planes. The game is built upon staggering technology which represents the landscapes from 30 000ft down to landing - and with three regions to explore each around 64km square this handheld flight sim packs significantly more than its home console counterparts. Controls offer the complexity of piloting a range of aircraft without insisting players are double-jointed and the game will provide specific vocal instructions for those who veer off course. Four eras of combat plane are represented - from World War I through World War II and The Cold War to modern-day combat each with their own challenges. All types and sizes of civilian planes are on offer - from crop sprayers to massive 300-seater passenger jets and everything in between - with appropriate challenges for each class. Stunt aircraft will test dexterity whist commercial aircraft will demand other skills - such as emergency landings in fierce conditions. Each successful completion of a challenge allows players to select other planes and scenarios each unique to the class of aircraft they are currently piloting. Records and achievements are recorded providing further incentive to replay missions and challenges for additional reward. Up to eight players will be able to take part in four different multiplayer games - with the 'Deathmatch' mode available to any PSP owner whether they own a copy of the game or not.
