Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII

Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII is an action-packed flight simulation game set during World War II, where players command an elite secret squadron equipped with experimental aircraft and prototype weapons that were never deployed in real battles. The story follows the squad’s globe-trotting adventures to exotic locations, engaging in high-stakes dogfights, bombing missions, and aerial stunts to prevent the enemy from developing an ultimate superweapon, all while issuing commands to AI wingmen and exploring enhanced multiplayer modes like Capture the Flag and Epic Battle.

Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII: Review

Introduction

Imagine soaring through the smog-choked skies over a besieged Moscow, your prototype fighter plane weaving between Katyusha rocket barrages and swarms of Luftwaffe bombers, all while unraveling a Nazi plot to unleash a superweapon that could rewrite history. This is the pulse-pounding allure of Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII, a 2007 flight combat sequel that trades the historical fidelity of its predecessor for audacious alternate-history what-ifs, arming players with experimental aircraft and gadgets straight out of a pulp adventure novel. As the follow-up to Ubisoft’s 2006 hit Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, which recreated real WWII air battles with arcade flair, this installment builds on that foundation by introducing secret prototypes and globe-trotting espionage, turning dogfights into cinematic spectacles. Yet, beneath the explosive set pieces lies a game that prioritizes accessible thrills over simulation depth, a reflection of the era’s push toward console-friendly action. My thesis: Blazing Angels 2 is a triumphant evolution for arcade flight sims, blending WWII nostalgia with inventive fiction to deliver exhilarating, if uneven, aerial warfare that elevates the genre’s entertainment value, even as it sacrifices realism for spectacle.

Development History & Context

Ubisoft Bucharest, the Romanian studio behind the original Blazing Angels, took the reins once more for the sequel, operating under the broader Ubisoft SRL banner and leveraging the publisher’s global resources. Founded in 1992 as a Ubisoft outpost in Eastern Europe, the Bucharest team—comprising talents like lead designer Bogdan Bridinel, technical director Horia Pintilie, and art director Constantin Gian Simion—had already proven adept at crafting mid-tier action titles, including contributions to Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific. For Blazing Angels 2, released in September 2007 across Xbox 360, Windows, and later PlayStation 3, the vision was clear: expand the arcade roots of the first game into a more narrative-driven experience, inspired by the success of Crimson Skies and the rising demand for WWII-themed blockbusters like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

The 2007 gaming landscape was a transitional one, dominated by the Xbox 360’s early momentum and the impending PS3 launch, which emphasized high-fidelity graphics and online multiplayer. Technological constraints were evident: the game ran on Ubisoft’s in-house GDS engine, a step up from the original’s Unreal Engine 3 integration, but it still grappled with PC optimization—issues like clunky mouse/keyboard controls and resolution bugs on Windows 7 foreshadowed the era’s cross-platform growing pains. Console versions shone brighter, benefiting from analog sticks for fluid flight, while middleware like Bink Video handled cutscenes and DemonWare powered multiplayer. Development focused on 50 aircraft types (including prototypes like the Horten Ho 229 flying wing and Messerschmitt Me 262 jet), drawing from historical blueprints but fictionalizing their deployment to fit the “secret missions” theme. Budget-wise, as a Ubisoft mid-range title (priced at $49.99 on launch), it avoided AAA excess, prioritizing replayable missions over groundbreaking tech. This context positioned Blazing Angels 2 as a bridge between the sim-heavy flight games of the PS2 era (e.g., IL-2 Sturmovik) and the accessible, story-rich shooters of the seventh gen, reflecting Ubisoft’s strategy to diversify its portfolio amid the post-World War II glut in military gaming.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its core, Blazing Angels 2 weaves an alternate-history tapestry that transforms WWII into a high-stakes spy thriller, centering on Captain Robinson, a stoic American ace leading an elite Allied squadron codenamed “Wildcard.” The plot kicks off with a postwar airshow flashback, Robinson narrating his exploits as the game dives into 1940s chaos: defending an RAF airfield from a Luftwaffe raid, escorting agent Marguerite onto a French train, and assaulting the Italian fleet at Taranto aboard HMS Illustrious. As the squadron—comprising hotshot Teach, brooding Milo, and rookie Thorpe—coalesces, they uncover General Von Kluge’s shadowy program for an “ultimate weapon,” blending real prototypes (e.g., V-2 rockets, Dora rail gun) with fictional horrors like Tesla-coil dreadnoughts and suicide rocket subs.

Characters drive the emotional stakes, though dialogue often veers into B-movie territory. Robinson serves as the silent protagonist, his voiceover providing wry commentary like “Time to even the odds” during dogfights, while wingmen offer banter: Teach’s cocky quips (“Eat lead, Fritz!”), Milo’s tactical insights, and Thorpe’s wide-eyed enthusiasm. Marguerite, the French resistance operative, adds intrigue as a damsel-turned-heroine, her arcs involving betrayals (e.g., exposed in Paris, rescued from a hellship) and sacrifices (e.g., ordering a strafing run on her position). Secondary figures like German defector Max and Von Kluge (a sneering Luftwaffe antagonist) inject moral ambiguity—Max’s redemption arc culminates in his death, underscoring themes of loyalty and betrayal. Dialogue, delivered via radio chatter and comic-strip cutscenes, is functional but clichéd, with accents (thick German and Japanese foes speaking broken English) evoking wartime propaganda films. Subtitles on PC can glitch, frustrating immersion.

Thematically, the game grapples with heroism amid absurdity: WWII’s grim reality is subverted by pulp sci-fi, from blinding enemies with experimental flares in Swedish icebergs to hijacking Ho 229s over the Himalayas. It romanticizes Allied invincibility—your squad averts disasters in Moscow, Rangoon, San Francisco, and Rome—while critiquing unchecked ambition (Von Kluge’s hubris). Themes of camaraderie shine in co-op moments, like protecting evacuation trains, but the narrative’s linearity and historical liberties (e.g., American jets under the Golden Gate Bridge) prioritize escapism over education. Clocking 10-16 hours, the 18-mission campaign builds to an epic finale escorting Lancaster bombers against a lightning-shielded carrier, disbanding the squad on a poignant note: Robinson offering Marguerite a world tour, symbolizing hope post-war. It’s no Wings of Glory, but the story’s blend of fact and fantasy crafts a rollicking tale of underdogs toppling tyrants.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Blazing Angels 2 refines the arcade flight loop of its predecessor into a seamless blend of action and strategy, emphasizing behind-view dogfights, bombing runs, and squad command over hardcore simulation. Core gameplay revolves around 18 missions spanning WWII theaters, where you pilot from a roster of 50+ aircraft (e.g., Supermarine Spitfire, Mitsubishi A6M Zero, prototypes like the Dornier Do 335), selectable outside scripted requirements. Controls default to arcade mode—simple analog stick inputs for flight, with auto-leveling and forgiving physics—while simulation toggles realistic stalls and stalls for veterans. PC players suffer here: keyboard/mouse feels unresponsive for precision maneuvers like barrel rolls, demanding a gamepad or joystick (Logitech Wingman support is spotty), as noted in user complaints about Windows 7 compatibility.

Combat is the heartbeat: machine guns for basics, but secondary weapons like rockets (replenishable via pickups) and homing missiles dominate, turning foes into fireworks. Lock-on assists trivialize pursuits, locking onto up to 16 enemies in epic battles, while special abilities (e.g., flare countermeasures, afterburners) add flair. Squad commands—via radial menu or hotkeys—let you direct wingmen to “Attack my target,” “Defend me,” or activate abilities like Teach’s taunt or the mechanic’s auto-repairs—streamlining teamwork without micromanagement. Progression shines via an upgrade tree: earn stunt points (collect icons mid-mission) and mission scores to unlock enhancements like improved armor, maneuverability, faster guns, or proximity-detonating missiles. With 50 plane variants customizable via paint jobs and editors, it fosters replayability, though you’ll max everything by mission 15.

Innovations include dynamic objectives—switch planes mid-mission (e.g., land, steal a bomber over Russia), stealth takedowns in Paris, or escorting subs through icebergs—breaking monotony. UI is clean: a minimalist HUD shows radar, health, and ammo, with cockpit views for immersion (though simulation mode restricts them oddly). Flaws emerge in balance: early missions breeze by with overpowered rockets, but spikes (e.g., Moscow’s vague Red Square defense) frustrate, lacking robust checkpoints until later. Multiplayer expands to 16 players: deathmatch for chaos, co-op campaign (up to 4 for missions), squad-based CTF, and Epic Battle (capture/destroy bases on dynamic maps). Power-ups (double damage, repairs) clutter skies, and sparse servers (even in 2007) limit longevity, though LAN/co-op shines locally. Overall, mechanics deliver addictive loops—fly, fight, upgrade—but uneven difficulty and PC woes prevent mastery.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Blazing Angels 2 crafts a vibrant, alternate-WWII globe-trotting sandbox, where historical locales morph into fantastical battlegrounds, enhancing atmosphere through visual and auditory immersion. Settings span exotic vistas: Cairo’s pyramids under Zeppelin assaults, Moscow’s snow-swept spires amid Katyusha fire, Rangoon’s monsoons during Japanese invasions, and San Francisco’s fog-shrouded bay against V-1 barrages. World-building leans fictional—Nazi superweapons like Tesla dreadnoughts and carrier subs inject pulp energy, while real elements (e.g., Flying Tigers in China, Champs-Élysées chase) ground it in WWII lore. Dynamic weather (rain, turbulence, night) affects handling, fostering tension: low-visibility stealth runs or iceberg lure-offs amplify peril, turning maps into interactive theaters of war.

Art direction excels on consoles, with Constantin Gian Simion’s team delivering colorful, detailed environments—procedural cities bustle below, canyons twist realistically, explosions bloom with particle effects. Planes model authentically (e.g., Me 262’s jets), customizable via editors, though PC textures pop less, plagued by slowdowns in dense fights. The behind-view camera captures scale, zooming from intimate dogfights to panoramic bombings. Sound design, helmed by Mihai Gheorghiu and composer Jason Graves, elevates the drama: orchestral swells evoke Pearl Harbor-style heroism, WWII motivational marches underscore rallies, while engine roars, flak bursts, and radio static immerse you. Voice acting is solid—wingmen’s banter feels authentic, though enemy accents caricature foes. Cutscenes use Bink Video for comic-strip flair, but repetitive themes grate over 10 hours. Collectively, these elements forge an exhilarating atmosphere: not photorealistic like IL-2, but a thrilling canvas where history’s heroism meets Hollywood bombast, making every takeoff feel epic.

Reception & Legacy

Upon launch in September 2007 (Xbox 360 leading, PS3 in November), Blazing Angels 2 garnered solid but mixed praise, averaging 72/100 on Metacritic across platforms—higher than the original’s 70s, signaling improvement. Critics lauded its accessibility and spectacle: IGN (8/10) called it “Xbox 360’s best arcade flight shooter,” praising upgrades and multiplayer; GameTrailers (7.9/10) highlighted “innovative gameplay in a by-the-books genre.” European outlets like Gamesmania.de (84/100) and 4Players (75/100) appreciated varied missions and co-op, while GameSpot (7/10) noted its ease but fun in “blowing up a billion German fighters.” PC versions dipped lower (e.g., PC Gamer 68%) due to controls and bugs, with users decrying joystick woes and patches failing Windows 7 fixes. Commercially, it sold modestly—bundled in packs like Blazing Angels Pack (2008)—lacking the blockbuster status of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed, but it appealed to flight sim niches, ranking #696 on Xbox 360 MobyGames.

Reputation evolved positively among retro enthusiasts: once dismissed as “Crimson Skies lite,” it’s now valued for bridging arcade and sim gaps, influencing Ubisoft’s later Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. (2009), where Bucharest devs recycled flight tech for modern jets. Its alternate-history bent prefigured games like Wolfenstein reboots, while multiplayer modes inspired squad-based aviation in War Thunder. Legacy-wise, it preserved WWII aviation for casual audiences—featuring 30+ historical planes amid fiction—amid a genre decline post-2000s. Critiques of historical inaccuracy (e.g., Eurogamer’s 6/10 on “unforgiving difficulty”) persist, but its cult following endures via demos and re-releases, influencing indie flight revivals and underscoring 2007’s shift to accessible warfare sims.

Conclusion

Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII soars as an underappreciated gem in the flight combat pantheon, refining its predecessor’s arcade formula with inventive prototypes, globe-spanning missions, and robust upgrades that make progression feel rewarding amid explosive chaos. While PC technical hiccups, uneven difficulty, and multiplayer sparsity temper its highs, the game’s thematic blend of WWII heroism and pulp fantasy—coupled with stunning visuals, evocative sound, and squad dynamics—delivers pure aerial adrenaline. In video game history, it occupies a vital niche: a seventh-gen bridge from sim purism to blockbuster accessibility, paving the way for modern flight titles like Ace Combat 7. Verdict: Essential for aviation enthusiasts seeking lighthearted thrills; a solid 8/10 that reminds us why we love dogfights—freedom, firepower, and a dash of impossible heroism. Fire up the engines; this squadron’s legacy still flies high.