Air Wars

Air Wars is a fast-paced, multiplayer aerial combat game developed by Martian Games, where players engage in intense dogfights in a side-view, 2D scrolling environment. Released in 2020 for Windows, the game features direct control over various aircraft, blending action-packed shooter mechanics with flight simulation elements. As the first entry in a successful franchise, Air Wars pioneered browser-based multiplayer combat using Unity WebGL, emphasizing community-driven development and competitive gameplay.

Air Wars: A Comprehensive Retrospective on a Modern Combat Flight Simulator

Introduction: The Skies of Conflict Reimagined

In the vast expanse of video game history, few genres have captured the thrill of real-world warfare as viscerally as flight combat simulators. Air Wars, released in 2020, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of aerial dogfights, blending historical authenticity with modern gaming technology. Developed by Masangsoft Inc. and published under the same banner, Air Wars emerged during a pivotal year for the industry—one marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of next-gen consoles, and a surge in demand for immersive, escapist experiences. This review delves deep into Air Wars, examining its development, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and its place in the broader landscape of combat flight simulators.

At its core, Air Wars is a flight simulation game that thrusts players into the cockpit of historically accurate aircraft, recreating some of the most intense aerial battles of the post-World War II era. With support for VR hardware and a meticulous attention to detail—from real-world terrain maps to aircraft specifications—Air Wars positions itself as both a tribute to military aviation history and a technical showcase of modern simulation gaming. Yet, despite its ambitions, the game exists in a niche market, competing with established franchises like Microsoft Flight Simulator and IL-2 Sturmovik. This review seeks to answer a critical question: Does Air Wars soar above its competitors, or does it stall in their shadow?

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Development History & Context: The Birth of a Modern Combat Simulator

The Studio Behind the Stick: Masangsoft Inc.

Air Wars is the brainchild of Masangsoft Inc., a South Korean developer and publisher with a history of creating simulation and strategy games. While not as globally recognized as industry giants like Bohemia Interactive or Eagle Dynamics, Masangsoft has carved a niche in the Asian market with titles that emphasize realism, historical accuracy, and technical fidelity. Their portfolio includes games like War Game and Air Guardians, which share Air Wars‘ focus on military conflict and strategic gameplay.

The development of Air Wars was driven by a desire to bridge the gap between arcade-style flight games and hardcore simulators. The team at Masangsoft aimed to create an experience that was accessible to casual players while still offering the depth and complexity demanded by flight sim enthusiasts. This balancing act is evident in the game’s dual focus: mission-based campaigns rooted in real-world conflicts and VR compatibility that immerses players in the cockpit like never before.

Technological Constraints and Innovations

Released in November 2020, Air Wars arrived at a time when the gaming industry was undergoing a seismic shift. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S had just launched, promising unprecedented graphical fidelity and processing power. However, Air Wars was developed primarily for PC, leveraging the Unity engine to deliver its vision. This choice allowed for cross-platform flexibility but also imposed limitations, particularly in terms of optimization and scalability.

One of the game’s most significant technical achievements is its VR integration. Air Wars supports multiple VR devices, including the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. This feature was not merely an afterthought but a core design pillar, enabling players to physically interact with cockpit controls using motion controllers. The ability to grab the throttle, flip switches, and glance at instruments in virtual reality adds an unparalleled layer of immersion, setting Air Wars apart from its peers.

However, the game’s graphical fidelity is a double-edged sword. While the terrain maps are based on real-world data and the aircraft models are meticulously detailed, the overall visual presentation can feel dated when compared to contemporaries like Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020). The lighting, textures, and environmental effects lack the polish of AAA titles, reflecting the constraints of a smaller development team working within the Unity engine’s limitations.

The Gaming Landscape in 2020: A Year of Upheaval

The year 2020 was one of unprecedented disruption in the gaming industry. The COVID-19 pandemic forced developers to adapt to remote work, delayed major releases, and canceled live events like E3. Yet, it also accelerated the growth of digital distribution and online multiplayer experiences, as players sought escapism during lockdowns.

Air Wars entered this landscape as a single-player, mission-driven experience, a stark contrast to the multiplayer-focused titles that dominated the year (e.g., Call of Duty: Warzone, Among Us, Fall Guys). Its release coincided with the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which set a new benchmark for realism and scale in flight simulation. While Microsoft Flight Simulator focused on civilian aviation and global exploration, *Air Wars carved its niche in **military combat, offering a more structured, narrative-driven experience.

The game’s Steam release positioned it within the indie and mid-tier simulation market, where it competed with titles like DCS World and War Thunder. Unlike these games, which emphasize online multiplayer and persistent progression, *Air Wars doubled down on **historical authenticity and solo play, catering to a more niche audience of history buffs and simulation enthusiasts.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: The Weight of War in the Skies

Plot Overview: From Dokdo to the Falklands

Air Wars distinguishes itself through its commitment to historical conflicts, framing its missions around real-world post-WWII aerial battles. The game’s campaign is divided into six distinct missions, each representing a different geopolitical flashpoint:

1. AIR SCOUT – A high-speed air race over Dokdo (Liancourt Rocks), a disputed territory between South Korea and Japan.
2. DOVE OF BOYRA – A recreation of the 1971 Battle of Boyra, a dogfight between Pakistani and Indian forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
3. BLIZZARD – The Falklands War (1982), pitting British Harriers against Argentine Mirages.
4. DRUG STORE – The Beka Valley conflict (1982), where Israeli and Syrian forces clashed over Lebanon.
5. ALONE FESTIVAL – The 2008 South Ossetia War, featuring Russian and Georgian aircraft in a high-stakes aerial duel.
6. FREEDOM OF AIRWAY – A peaceful airshow in Paris, serving as a palate cleanser after the intensity of combat missions.

This structure allows Air Wars to educate players on lesser-known conflicts while delivering diverse gameplay scenarios. However, the game’s narrative depth is minimal. Unlike story-driven military games like Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, Air Wars prioritizes historical accuracy over character development or overarching plot. Players are cast as an unnamed ace pilot, with missions framed as historical reenactments rather than a cohesive storyline.

Themes: The Futility and Glory of Aerial Combat

While Air Wars lacks a traditional narrative, its thematic underpinnings are profound. The game explores:
– The Cold War’s Proxy Battles – Many of the conflicts in Air Wars were indirect confrontations between superpowers, with smaller nations serving as battlegrounds for ideological struggles.
– The Human Cost of War – The Falklands War mission (BLIZZARD) highlights the isolation and vulnerability of pilots far from home, while DRUG STORE underscores the geopolitical complexities of Middle Eastern conflicts.
– Technology as a Double-Edged Sword – The game’s VR integration mirrors its themes, as players experience both the thrill of mastery over advanced machinery and the fragility of human life in high-speed dogfights.

Dialogue and Presentation: A Missed Opportunity

One of Air Wars’ most glaring weaknesses is its lack of immersive storytelling elements. Unlike Microsoft Flight Simulator, which features dynamic weather and live air traffic, or Ace Combat, which weaves cinematic cutscenes and radio chatter, Air Wars feels clinically detached. Mission briefings are text-based, and there is no voice acting or in-flight communication to heighten tension.

The FREEDOM OF AIRWAY mission—a scripted airshow—is the closest the game comes to narrative experimentation, but it ultimately feels like an afterthought rather than a meaningful conclusion. This absence of emotional or contextual framing makes Air Wars feel more like a technical simulator than a gripping war story.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: Mastering the Skies

Core Gameplay Loop: Dogfights and Precision Flying

Air Wars is, at its heart, a combat flight simulator, and its gameplay revolves around mastering aircraft controls, weapons systems, and tactical maneuvering. The game offers two primary modes:
1. Mission Mode – A structured campaign where players complete historical objectives.
2. Free Flight Mode – An open-ended sandbox for practicing maneuvers and exploring aircraft.

The mission structure is linear, with each scenario presenting specific objectives (e.g., destroy enemy fighters, protect allied bombers, or navigate a race course). Success hinges on precision flying, effective weapon management, and situational awareness—hallmarks of the genre.

Combat and Physics: A Realistic Yet Accessible Approach

Air Wars strikes a balance between realism and accessibility:
– Flight Model – The game employs a semi-realistic flight model, where physics-based controls (e.g., stalling, G-forces, and wind resistance) are present but simplified for controller play. This makes it more approachable than DCS World but less arcady than War Thunder.
– Weapon Systems – Players must manage missiles, cannons, and countermeasures, with each aircraft featuring unique loadouts. The lock-on mechanics are forgiving compared to hardcore sims, allowing for quick engagements without excessive complexity.
– Damage Modeling – Aircraft sustain realistic damage, with critical hits affecting engine performance, control surfaces, and weapons systems. However, the lack of a “pilot injury” system (seen in games like IL-2 Sturmovik) means players can survive extreme G-forces without penalty.

VR Integration: A Game-Changer

The standout feature of Air Wars is its VR support, which transforms the experience from a traditional flight sim into an immersive cockpit simulator. Key VR mechanics include:
– Hands-On Control – Players can physically interact with the cockpit, grabbing the throttle, flipping switches, and adjusting radar displays using motion controllers.
– Head Tracking – Looking around the cockpit feels natural, with depth perception enhancing spatial awareness during dogfights.
– Presence and Tension – The sense of scale in VR is unmatched—bullets whizzing past the canopy and explosions rocking the fuselage create a visceral, adrenaline-fueled experience.

However, VR is not without its drawbacks:
– Performance Issues – The game struggles with frame rates in VR, particularly during intense combat scenarios.
– Limited Customization – Unlike DCS World, which allows for fully interactive cockpits, Air Wars simplifies some interactions, reducing immersion.

UI and HUD: Functional but Uninspired

The user interface in Air Wars is functional but lacks polish:
– Cockpit Displays – Instruments are clearly labeled but lack the depth of real-world avionics.
– Radar and Targeting – The HUD provides essential information (e.g., enemy lock-ons, missile warnings) but feels generic compared to the customizable displays in Ace Combat.
– Menus and Navigation – The pre-flight and post-mission menus are clunky, with awkwardly translated text (a common issue in Korean-developed games).

Progression and Replayability

Air Wars offers limited progression systems:
– Aircraft Unlocks – Completing missions unlocks new planes, each with unique handling and weapons.
– No Pilot Customization – Unlike War Thunder or Ace Combat, there is no RPG-like progression (e.g., skills, upgrades, or cosmetics).
– Replayability – The lack of dynamic campaigns or multiplayer means that once all missions are completed, there is little incentive to return beyond Free Flight mode.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: Crafting the Illusion of War

Setting and Atmosphere: A Global Tour of Conflict Zones

Air Wars excels in recreating real-world battlefields, with each mission taking place in a meticulously researched location:
– Dokdo’s rugged cliffs provide a visually striking backdrop for high-speed races.
– The Falklands’ stormy skies evoke the harsh conditions faced by pilots in 1982.
– The Beka Valley’s mountainous terrain forces players to navigate tight canyons while engaging enemies.

However, the environmental detail is inconsistent. While terrain maps are accurate, the textures and lighting often feel flat and uninspired, lacking the dynamic weather and time-of-day systems seen in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Visual Design: A Mixed Bag of Realism and Simplification

The aircraft models in Air Wars are highly detailed, with accurate liveries, weapon hardpoints, and damage effects. However, the visual presentation suffers from:
– Dated Graphics – The Unity engine struggles to deliver AAA-level visuals, with muddy textures and basic shaders.
– Lack of Environmental Effects – Smoke, explosions, and particle effects are functional but unremarkable.
– VR-Specific Optimizations – The game prioritizes performance in VR, leading to reduced graphical fidelity in headset mode.

Sound Design: The Roar of Engines and the Silence of the Skies

Sound is a critical component of immersion in flight simulators, and Air Wars delivers a mixed experience:
– Engine Audio – The roar of jet engines and whine of turboprops are well-recorded, providing tactile feedback during flight.
– Weapon Sounds – Missile launches, cannon fire, and explosions are punctuated and impactful, though lacking in dynamic range.
– Ambient Soundscapes – The absence of radio chatter or environmental audio (e.g., wind, distant thunder) makes the world feel sterile.
– Music – The score is minimal, with generic orchestral tracks that fail to elevate the emotional stakes of combat.

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Reception & Legacy: A Niche Gem in a Crowded Sky

Critical Reception: Praise for VR, Criticism for Depth

Air Wars received limited critical attention upon release, reflecting its niche appeal. Reviews from players and critics highlighted:
✅ Strengths:
– VR Implementation – Widely praised as one of the best uses of VR in a flight sim, with intuitive controls and immersive cockpit interactions.
– Historical Accuracy – The mission design and aircraft models were commended for their attention to detail.
– Accessibility – The semi-realistic flight model made it more approachable than hardcore sims like DCS World.

❌ Weaknesses:
– Lack of Content – The six-mission campaign was criticized as too short, with no multiplayer or dynamic missions.
– Technical Issues – Performance drops in VR and clunky UI detracted from the experience.
– Weak Narrative – The absence of story or character development left the game feeling impersonal.

Commercial Performance: A Quiet Release in a Tumultuous Year

Air Wars launched on Steam in November 2020, a month that saw the release of next-gen consoles and blockbuster titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. As a result, the game struggled to gain traction, with modest sales figures and limited community engagement.

However, it found a dedicated niche audience among:
– VR enthusiasts seeking immersive flight experiences.
– History buffs interested in post-WWII aerial conflicts.
– Simulation fans looking for a middle ground between arcade shooters and hardcore sims.

Legacy and Influence: A Stepping Stone for Future Sims

While Air Wars did not redefine the genre, it demonstrated the potential of VR in flight simulation and proved that historical accuracy could be a selling point for niche audiences. Its legacy lies in:
– Paving the way for future VR-focused flight sims.
– Inspiring indie developers to explore lesser-known historical conflicts in gaming.
– Highlighting the demand for accessible yet deep combat flight experiences.

In 2022, Air Wars received a DLC expansion titled Air Wars: Simulator Device and VR Compatible DLC, which added new aircraft and enhanced VR features, suggesting that Masangsoft remains committed to refining the experience.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Fascinating Flight into History

Air Wars is a game of contradictions—a technically impressive VR flight sim that lacks the polish and depth of its competitors. It excels in immersion and historical authenticity but falters in narrative, content volume, and technical optimization. For VR enthusiasts and history buffs, it offers a unique and thrilling experience, but for casual gamers or those seeking a deep campaign, it may feel shallow and incomplete.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10 – A Niche Masterpiece with Room to Soar

Air Wars is not a game for everyone, but for those who crave the thrill of aerial combat in VR or appreciate meticulously researched historical missions, it is a hidden gem. Its shortcomings in storytelling and replayability prevent it from reaching the heights of Ace Combat or Microsoft Flight Simulator, but its innovative use of VR and commitment to realism ensure it carves out its own space in the pantheon of flight simulators.

Where It Shines:
✔ Best-in-class VR flight simulation.
✔ Historically accurate missions and aircraft.
✔ Accessible yet deep flight mechanics.

Where It Stumbles:
✖ Short campaign with limited replay value.
✖ Dated graphics and technical hiccups.
✖ Lack of narrative or multiplayer depth.

Who Should Play It?
– VR owners looking for an immersive cockpit experience.
– Flight sim fans who want historical combat without the complexity of DCS World.
– History enthusiasts interested in post-WWII aerial warfare.

Who Should Skip It?
– Players seeking a deep story or RPG progression.
– Those who prefer multiplayer-focused flight games (War Thunder, Ace Combat 7).
– Gamers who prioritize cutting-edge graphics over gameplay depth.

Final Thoughts: A Game That Deserves a Second Look

Air Wars may not have soared to commercial success, but it represents an important step in the evolution of VR flight simulation. With further refinements—expanded missions, multiplayer support, and graphical upgrades—it could become a classic. As it stands, Air Wars is a flawed but fascinating journey through the skies of history, worth experiencing for those who dare to take the controls.

For the right pilot, the skies of Air Wars are waiting—and they are glorious. 🚁✈️💥