Review: Plane Crazy
The fantasy flying racing game Plane Crazy will be unveiled at Computer Faire. It combines stunt flying and high-speed racing with 3D graphics and superb sound effects.
Described by its own manufacturers (well, they would, wuldn’t they?) as “one of the most thrilling and exciting 3-D racing games ever to hit the games market, guaranteed to get your adrenaline flowing and your heart pounding in your chest,” it has just become available in South Africa.
Released by Europress and distributed in South Africa by EduTain Technologies/Europress SA, Plane Crazy begins at a place called the Sky Ranch, the home of a radical bunch of extreme pilots known as the Crazy Aces. Living up to the “crazy” part of their name, these mavericks live out their obsession for speed and flying machines by engaging in illegal and dangerous races.
“Plane Crazy is not primarily designed as a flight simulator,” says Voula Philippides, MD of EduTain Technologies. “It is more like drag-racing except you’re two hundred meters above the ground.” Inner Workings’ Fearsome 3D engine generates highly realistic 3D environments which combine with Plane Crazy’s sensational playability and control system.
“The excitement of Plane Crazy is quite addictive. One minute you’ll be shooting skywards in a vertical climb to avoid being smashed against an oil derrick or skyscraper. The next moment you’ll be plunging down a deep ravine to try and grab a valuable ‘power-up’. And as if that’s not enough, you also have to avoid air turbulence and other flyers’ dirty tricks.”
Players choose their plane at the Sky Ranch from a choice of eight different flying machines, each with its own acceleration, manoeuvrability, aerodynamics and top speed settings. They compete against other human flyers and the Crazy Aces to win and achieve the best race time. In the air, the main objective is to get through each checkpoint and achieve the best overall time.
The five different theme courses provide perils from natural hazards or man-made elements, and make use of weather, light effects and orchestral sound tracks to increase the drama and tension during the race. Plane Crazy, allows up to eight players over a network or on the Internet and enables players to choose between a time trial, quick race or a full five-course championship.
During the championship, cash can be earned by achieving the fastest checkpoints and winning, which can then be used to buy plane upgrades and pay the entrance fee into the next race.
