Heroes of the Pacific review

It’s odd that so many choose to concentrate on the European Theatre of Operations. Storming Normandy and the grim struggle for Stalingrad provide meaty scenarios, but they’re only part of the story. On the other side of the world a different type of war was being waged. A war fought in the endless blue of sea and sky.

Heroes flings you into this frightening azure void with an alarming lack of ceremony. Much like the young pilots of the day you’re thrown into the thick of things before you’re really ready. The early campaign levels are a wake up call to those who’ve mistaken the arcade handling and comic book Americana styling as an indication that they’re in for an easy ride.

Heroes is tough. No scratch that, Heroes is nails. Even on Rookie (the easiest of five difficulty settings) you’re in for a serious pummeling. Not from the struggle with your flying machines though. Choosing to fly with either Arcade or Professional control settings is really just a choice between how you like to handle yaw and roll, rather than an indication of difficulty. It sometimes feels like you’re the only friendly pilot in the skies, dashing from location to location, taking on orders left, right and center like a performer spinning plates.