The emotionally dramatic and historical impact of World War II has left a last impression on the world and it’s many stories have inspired not only Hollywood to continue making movies about it but it has also brought out some spectacular (and not so spectacular) games. While games like Medal of Honor: Frontline or Call of Duty have been lighting up our Xbox as soldiers, aerial combat games are very scarce on our favorite black box. So it’s come as a pleasant surprise to see Ubisoft bring us Heroes of the Pacific for the Xbox.

Much like the LucasArts World War II fighter pilot game Secret Weapons Over Normandy, Heroes also brings its objective-based mission structure that also strays from the world of complex flight simulator. The game tells the story of a Navy pilot named Crowe who enlisted because of his brother and, while stationed in Pearl Harbor on the fateful day of the Japanese attacks, is tossed into the beginning of war for the United States. Discovering your brother’s ship sunk by a feisty and skillful squad of Japanese pilots, you set out to war with revenge on your mind. Soon, not only do you get knee-deep in the war’s most famous aerial conflicts but you also try to track down the Japanese squadron for a little payback.

Crowe’s loyalty to his country, though, finds him going off to battle using a choice of America’s best flying and fighting machines. The bulk of the missions are concentrated in the South Pacific Theatre where Japanese fleets have concentrated their positions, it’s also the spot where many of the war’s fiercest air and sea battles took place so you will relive them in all their vicious glory. Many of the missions have multiple objectives but it’s the main objectives that are ones thrill seekers will love the most. Some missions have you performing a bombing raid on different positions that are marked for you on screen. You’ll even have to dive bomb, launching torpedoes to sink Japanese battleships.

The game does go for historical accuracy so you will lend a hand in evacuating Wake Island and further down the line you’ll be in the thick of some truly devastating battles at Midway. Punctuated by real footage of air battles and a number of planes to unlock that are true to the period, this is a game that attempts to bring us a true aerial war game and pulls it off nicely. As for the controls, though, don’t expect a simulator. Think of it more like Crimson Skies with more emphasis on action and fancy flying. Even when you stray from the main Campaign mode you’ll find the same type of loose action in a series of historical scenarios that are unlocked by playing the main game mode. There’s also online multiplayer that, while able to put you in the air with up to eight players in total, possesses some pretty basic deathmatch, capture the flag and a pretty good defend mode (where you attempt to defend your carrier from your enemies). 

Heroes is also a great-looking Xbox game with crisp plane models and excellent effects. The planes look great in action and even more so when they’re lit up on fire or exploding. Through gorgeous skies filled with even more beautiful clouds, the battles look intense and realistic enough that it will not fail to bring to mind the images seen in actual footage of dogfights. Cannons from below will fire, leaving spectacular black clouds and when you attempt to sink some ships you’ll be treated to the sparkling waters of the South Pacific.

As for the game’s sound, it’s score is wonderfully appropriate and its voice acting true to the times and the Navy flyboy lingo. Often times, though, the dialogue tries too hard to be 1940s and derogatory terms for the Japanese is used often. Still it’s the game’s sound effects that will catch you off guard. The sound effects are amazing, especially if you have a good sound system. You’ll hear gunfire, explosions, engines and even authentic sounding communications via radio. It does a good job of giving gamers the impression they’re in the thick of aerial combat. 

One of the most satisfying air combat games you’ll find, Heroes of the Pacific might not be unique but it sure is quite a blast to fly these unfriendly skies. Some gamers might prefer the more complicated simulator style that might be more realistic but less flashy when it comes to the fun last-minute maneuvering you get with the more arcade-like style. You can’t go wrong buying this one if you love flight combat at its most thrilling.

Gameplay: 8.0
For those looking for a strict flight/combat simulator be prepared to be disappointed but if you’re looking for a more arcade-like, high-flying action game with a healthy campaign mode the game has the goods. There are a good number of missions and the controls are decent.

Graphics: 8.5
The visuals are pretty sharp and the planes look good in action but it’s the various explosions and enemy planes going down in flames that bring WWII authenticity to the game’s overall look. Even the ocean and enemy crafts look good.

Sound: 7.9
Play this one with a good sound system because the explosions, engine sound and machinegun fire will not sound the same without good surround sound. The voice acting tries too hard to mimic the period but it's not bad either. And nothing sounds cooler than the engines of American fighter planes.

Difficulty: Medium
Because of the loose control scheme, flying is less complex and that’s perfect since you’ll be concentrating on dogfights. The enemy is pretty smart and can maneuver with the best of them so you and your teammates will have to keep on your toes.

Concept: 7.5
The game takes you through the war’s most brutal aerial campaigns in the South Pacific Theatre. There are plenty of great planes to unlock and use in your favorite mission but other than that there’s not much to go back to when you’re finished. Online support is available, although it’s not as great as it could have been.

Multiplayer: 7.0
There’s Xbox Live multiplayer support but there’s some pretty sparse game modes and the framerate is a bit choppy at times. That’s too bad, really, seeing as this could have given fans of Crimson Skies something to cheer about.

Overall: 8.0
Heroes of the Pacific is an enjoyable high-flying aerial combat game that might not be a true simulator but it’s packed with enough action to make it a game worth playing for any flight-game aficionado. So the objective-based missions have been done before but this game handles the action and the WWII situations good enough.