This review is almost a decade late. Again most likely no one would read but it is another classic I had to reminisce
All realistic options turned on.
Avionics/Gameplay
First thing one must understand is that the F-15 E "Strike Eagle" specializes in air-to-ground missions. The payload delivery avionics exemplifies this fact. There are a lot of unique features about these avionics that I remember them quite well almost a decade later.
For laser guided bombs you have a gyroscope stabilized laser pointer. The realism behind this system is readily apparent that when you turn the plane and place the target on the blind spot, you will lose visual contact. This laser pointer is not locked specifically on the target, it realistically marks a point on the ground and does not snap into place like most pseudo-simulations (i.e. F-22 series from novalogic). Another system is the ground radar capture, where you can scan an area once and save the image. You can designate points on this captured image and the plane will remember it's location no matter where your nose is pointed. And of course there is the CCIP and the works. If you have F-15 then most probably you've tackled even the most rudimentary simulation like the novalogic installments. Even these "simple" simulations have the basic CCIP, the different gun modes, AA, and AG modes. They are all here of course albeit pushed to the next "absolute" realism level.
The Air-to-Air mode for the F-15 E is not as complex as the air-to-ground experience. The IFF is realistic in all respects. You can depend on the AWACS to verify targets. And if that's not enough hassle for the casual player, when your flight group engages an enemy flight group in a dogfight, you can expect a reply from the AWACS upon inquiry, "Merged." With means that they can't tell precisely who's who. For Air-to-Air engagements, the handling of the F-15 E is "heavy" or "sluggish". If you've played Flanker 2.0, don't expect the same maneuverability here.
Another delightful experience is the refueling training mission. This is a very challenging task when everything is set to realistic and I found myself regularly honing my skills at it. It is almost equivalent to trying to land on an aircraft carrier in Flanker 2.5 or Jane's F/A-18.
There are two campaigns I can remember and from what I can recall, the campaigns are linear in some way.
Graphics
Don't expect any shaders, reflections etc. The graphics are functional at best when compared to today's standards, but taking into account the time of its release, it is impressive and a definite "eye candy". However, it should be noted that the complexity of the avionics, and the gameplay pushes the graphics into the background. This is a characteristic most "classic" games have that contributes to their timeless nature.
Sound/Music
No comment about the music, I doubt anyone playing these type of games would be so attentive to the music. But the Campaign introductions have a catchy tune and can be watched repeatedly without losing their grandeur.
I cannot judge the sound effects since I've never flown an actual F-15 E and cannot vouch for their authenticity. However, gameplay wise, the sounds are top notch. You will jump in your seat every time you hear the warning alarm of an incoming missile.
Overall
A classic.