Combat Air Patrol (video game)
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Combat Air Patrol |
Combat Air Patrol is a flight simulation game released in 1993 by Psygnosis. Set against the backdrop of the initial Gulf War, players undertake missions launched from the , aiming to defeat Iraqi forces and free Kuwait. The game offers control of two different aircraft: the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, primarily assigned to escort and patrol duties, and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, which is utilized for bombing operations targeting patrol boats, bridges, and SCUD missile installations.
The gameplay encompasses all stages of a mission: from takeoff and cruising to executing objectives, returning, and landing—with landing presenting a particularly demanding challenge. Extended missions require in-flight refueling, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Pilots have the option to report to sick bay to avoid missions; however, frequent use of this feature or repeated ejections will lead to being deemed unfit for service. Should a pilot be lost or incapacitated, a replacement joins the team, allowing the game to proceed from the last checkpoint.
In addition to piloting aircraft, players are responsible for directing ground forces, planning routes, and choosing appropriate ordnance for their planes. The title includes both training scenarios and an instant action mode focused on aerial combat. Success is achieved by either liberating Kuwait or eliminating Saddam Hussein, with occasional intelligence briefings enabling precision bombing strikes.
The Amiga edition was met with generally favorable critiques, while the PC version received a more lukewarm reception.
Reception
Computer Gaming World (1994) remarked that Combat Air Patrol on Amiga "offers much to appreciate despite its shortcomings," describing it as "a promising debut" that could be enhanced relatively easily.