Flight Control HD Review – PC & Mac Version Update

Game: Flight Control HD

Developer: Firemint

Publisher: Firemint (via Steam)

Available On: PC, Mac, PlayStation 3 and iOS devices (PC/Mac version reviewed)

Rather than writing a comprehensive review of the PC & Mac release of this insanely popular puzzle game, I’d like to begin by directing you to the excellent full coverage that Adam Cook provided when he reviewed the PlayStation 3 Move enabled version, back in September. There have been a few changes made for the release over Steam, but the majority of the title remains identical.

The main difference between the PS3 release and this one is the interface. Played on a desktop computer, for example, the mouse is used, but the game also has a specialised control system for using a trackpad if you choose to play on a laptop. Both control methods work well, the trackpad mimicking the control system perfected on the iPhone and iPad Touch, whilst the mouse control system works in a drag and drop manner. There are no real faults with either technique, although they both lack the novelty of the PlayStation Move control.

An extra map has been added too. In the same way that the PS3 version provided the exclusive “Metropolis” map – that alternated from day to night and back again – this release brings us the “Stunt” map. With the stunt map comes a new type of aircraft too, rather predictably, the “Stunt Plane”. In practice, the stunt plane pulls a banner along behind it and as you pass through gates marked by cones on the map, a number will appear on the banner and go up for every gate successfully passed through. If the plane is subsequently landed correctly, the player will have the number of planes indicated on the banner added to their score, rather than just the one plane that is usually awarded.

Wow your friends with your mad stunt-plane skills

This can allow for quite huge scores to be attained on this level – but it is balanced out by the fact that by flying through gates, you have to keep the plane in the air for longer – therefore increasing the chance of crashes. This then leads you to take part in strategy – how many gates can you risk going through before landing the plane? Will there be room in the skies? This new map was certainly the most enjoyable one included in this release, and offers a different challenge from the regular levels, so even for Flight Control veterans, there is something to return for.

The only other real difference for this version is the addition of Steam achievements. Operating in a very similar way to Xbox 360 achievements for example, these can add a bit of an extra challenge to the game, although most will be unlocked through regular play. One achievement though was quite enjoyable to attempt – not landing any planes for three minutes, whilst not crashing either. This again forces you to play the game in a different way, and provides some welcome variety from the standard stages.

Graphics are virtually unchanged and the problem with the soundtrack remains. There is still only one piece of music included in the whole game and if you play a level long enough for it to reach the end of the track, there will be a pause of around a minute – with no music at all – before the same track plays again. This is surely something that could be easily remedied, but disappointingly continues to be present after several updates.

So, rather than giving a final score, one should assess whether the game is worth buying or not. If you have never played Flight Control before in any iteration – this is a great version of it to start off on. But even if you have only played the previous iPod or iPhone versions, then the HD makeover and extra features will probably attract you to make the re-purchase – especially considering the low price point. There has been some new life injected into the franchise with the features brought in for all the HD versions, but now it is surely time for a full-on sequel to justify future purchases.

Flight Control and Flight Control HD are available on a wide range of platforms including PlayStation 3, iOS, Nintendo DSiWare, iPad and Windows Phone 7. It was released on PC & Mac via Steam on November 18th. GodisaGeek reviewed Flight Control HD and gave it a very favourable 9/10 for Playstation 3 here.