The graphics in CFS2 are a huge leap over its predecessor, but require a powerful system to really shine. With all graphical options turned on and anything less than a 500 MHz processor, you can expect a fairly stuttery framerate that just isn’t compatible with the precision flying required to down opposing aces. Tuning the graphics down makes things run just fine, but the sacrifice in performance is harsh. Overall, scenery is a mixed bag in visuals, with some dawn raids over islands looking just short of perfection while other daytime missions over unending stretches of ocean can seem more monotonous than impressive. The plane models, however, are a consistent graphical high point, and things only get better when the craft start getting ripped apart by enemy slugs. Bullet holes, smoke and small damaged parts flying off the plane provide an excellent dose of realism and give a real sense that you’d better land the thing quick or learn how to swim. CFS2 also excels in ship detail, if only when the graphic options are set to the highest levels. Carrier decks are a bit bland, but the destroyers and freighter ships you’ll be strafing are plentiful with detail when you’re close enough to see it.

The physics model is realistic and unforgiving, though this is by no means a negative point for a flight-sim gamer. Stalls, diving, turning and complex loop and 180 maneuvers are all modeled to painstaking reality and the development team’s extensive research has yielded a very nice representation of the different quirks present in one plane or another, such as the Wildcat’s superior roll rate or the Zero’s agility. While the learning curve is extremely steep, Microsoft has had the foresight of including options to tone the realism down in a multitude of ways, ranging from adding unlimited ammo and fuel to generally tweaking the harshness of the physics. Training missions in the game aid in learning some, but there’s no better teacher than turning on invincibility and unlimited ammo and discovering what works and what doesn’t without the frustration of repeatedly smashing your authentic bird into authentic fragments and seeing an authentic game over screen. Control in CFS2 isn’t exactly intuitive and takes time to master, but once you’ve got it all down you’re in for a solid gameplay experience. I’d strongly suggest obtaining a high-end joystick if possible though, because I attribute at least half of my crashes to my ghetto uncalibratable $14.99 1990 Sidewinder stick (the other half being attributed to complete lack of skill and/or lack of sleep), and precision control is as essential in this game as in a first-person shooter.

The selection of planes is a little lacking in Combat Flight Sim 2, though the strong fan community for this game will more likely than not produce enough downloadable craft to satisfy any gamer’s wishes. Still, it seems odd having no bomber craft whatsoever; the inclusion of such would certainly have helped the mission variety and multiplayer too. You’ll occasionally have to escort crafts of different types, but you’ll never be put behind the flight stick of them. Fortunately, the seven included planes do handle differently enough to add some variance from mission to mission and you can modify how they’re equipped.

The sheer number of play options and missions available is fairly overwhelming. There’s an extensive campaign for both Japanese and American sides, each providing hours and hours of gameplay through short but plentiful missions. Most of the objectives are based around situations that could have happened but didn’t necessarily occur. However, there are some of the more notable historical battles and, even on the fictional fights, realistic locations are used. The frequent carrier landing makes for an interesting (and insanely difficult) element that more often than not will land the inexperienced player in pieces across the Pacific. Escorting missions, sorties against naval and ground targets, and straight-out dogfights make up the majority of the levels seen in campaign mode, though throughout, the game seems to lack a sense of urgency or character that makes you wish to press on. The war does progress, but even the terse little "scuttlebutt" talk between fellow aviators doesn’t do much to make you feel pulled into it. Maybe I’m expecting too much because of the incredible atmosphere I experienced in Crimson Skies, but the attempts at storytelling fail to capture any real mood. In any case, CFS2 is about flying, and fly for days straight you can, with a single mission option pitting you up against scores of historical aces and trying to match their feats; quick combat mode allowing you to jump into a mission you customize; free flight providing a FS type experience; and the mission builder promising basically endless replay value.

Enemy and wingman AI have taken a positive step since Microsoft’s first attempt. While I did see way too many mid-air collisions on the part of my comrades, they at least did their part in shooting down enemy planes and sometimes even completed the mission objectives for me when I was flying particularly bad or was distracted shooting up stationary ground targets to amuse myself. The enemies perform complex rolls and dives depending on their skill level that manage to make things challenging enough, but not frustratingly impossible. And of course, there’s the included option to play multiplayer so you can test your skills against human opponents while flying with human allies. Multiplayer is hosted on Microsoft Gaming Zone (what a surprise) and has the usual quirks and unpredictability of that service, but it’s free and easy to use and with enough patience you can get a game going so I can’t really complain.

CFS2 makes leaps and bounds over its predecessor, and with all the research put into this game, it’s no surprise. To the hardcore flight sim gamer, the series is definitely worth a new look. Few games have ever covered the Pacific theater so well and the overall quality of the game is fairly high, if quite a few steps away from perfection. You know what you like — and if you’re the kind of gamer that loves fast, dirty, simplistic arcade action, you won’t find it here — but Combat Flight Sim 2: WWII Pacific Theater delivers on aviation realism and challenge.