F-15 Strike Eagle II
| Industry | Video game development and publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Products | Video games, including F-15 Strike Eagle II |
F-15 Strike Eagle II is a combat flight simulator developed by MicroProse and launched in 1989 as the follow-up to F-15 Strike Eagle. The series continued with the release of F-15 Strike Eagle III in 1992.
Players pilot the F-15E, armed with an M61 Vulcan cannon and a selection of three missile types: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and AGM-65 Maverick. The simulation offers four distinct theaters: Libya, Persian Gulf, Vietnam, and the Middle East. Throughout missions, users face off against hostile aircraft, missile-equipped boats, satellite installations, and terrestrial targets, aiming to accomplish both main and side objectives while steering clear of friendly fire incidents. Successful completion of missions results in ranks and medals awarded based on performance.
In terms of design and gameplay, Strike Eagle II bore a strong resemblance to MicroProse's earlier title, F-19 Stealth Fighter. Reflecting the standards of its time, the game struck a balance between authentic simulation and user-friendly playability within the constraints of contemporary hardware.
An expansion pack titled F-15 II Operation Desert Storm was introduced by MicroProse in 1991. This add-on included three additional scenarios: two previously seen in F-19 Stealth Fighter (North Cape and Central Europe) and a new Gulf War setting named Desert Storm. Enhancements in this expansion comprised night-time missions, improved audio capabilities, and new weaponry options.
Reception
Upon release, the game earned favorable critiques in Computer Gaming World, being described as "a gamer's game" for prioritizing engaging gameplay over intricate simulation complexity. It was also recognized as less demanding than F-19 Stealth Fighter. In subsequent evaluations during 1992 and 1994, the publication awarded it three and a half stars out of five in their modern wargame surveys.