Some background about the game. Aces HIgh II is produced and maintained by a small company (and I mean small, about 10 people) out of Texas. The Hitech Creations crew is constantly working to improve the game's content as well as deal with bugs. Recently, the game received a major boost as the terrain graphics were totally redone. The real heart of the game is online which is what you would subscribe to. The game itself is free to download and offers an offline mode to practice and free player hosted online "8 man" arenas. When playing in the main arenas, players can expect to be up against hundreds of other pilots from all around the world, no computer controlled aircraft here. Although a new version of the game called Aces High: Combat Tour is in the works which would bring in computer controlled aircraft and give a player the option of building a pilot in an rpg style format. The learning curve is very steep since all pilots play in the same arenas regardless of skill level. This will mean new pilots will get shot down a lot but it is all part of the learning process and the game is hardly impossible to master. In general the game community is helpful to new players and a Training Arena is also provided where new players can go to learn the basics of the game. The game also offers regular "scenarios" where players can partake in missions inspired by actual WWII battles in an arena separate from the main arenas. The main arenas are divided up into three countries with no restriction of what sort of aircraft each country can fly. So P-51s will be fighting other P-51s, spitfires v. spitfires and so on although there is an Axis vs. Allies arena where the planeset is limited to what that nation historically had available. The game community also tends to be on the older side and has yet to be dominated by the XBOX Live generation. There are many player made squadrons from very small to huge. An in game vox (radio) is also provided allowing for quick voice communication. While there is nothing stopping somebody from being a lone wolf in this game, it really is worth it to find a squad and be part of the community. With many of the players being around since the original Aces High was in beta testing back in 1999, the game can often feel like you're going down to your local bar as opposed to simply jumped online with a bunch of strangers. The game offers a two week free trial with no strings attached. Anybody who has ever enjoyed this sort of game should check out Aces High II. www.hitechcreations.com
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