Project Wingman

Project Wingman is widely praised as an exceptional indie flight action game that captures the thrilling essence of arcade-style dogfighting. Players appreciate its fast-paced gameplay, diverse aircraft selection, and engaging campaign missions that often evoke comparisons to the Ace Combat series, with some considering it superior in terms of content and immersion. The game features a "Roguelike" conquest mode and multiple difficulty levels, adding replayability and challenge for veterans of the genre. Its visuals, especially in VR, impress with detailed aircraft models and atmospheric effects, although some note occasional performance issues on lower-end hardware.

Critics highlight the compelling soundtrack, strong sound design, and a storyline that balances serious and comedic tones, enriching the overall experience. While the controls can sometimes feel slightly unpolished, and the cloud visuals divisive, the game’s quality and passion from its small development team resonate strongly with players. The community eagerly anticipates more content or a sequel to expand on this beloved title.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game's intense and satisfying dogfighting mechanics, which deliver a powerful jet combat experience reminiscent of classic arcade flight sims. The graphics receive high marks for detailed aircraft and immersive environments, with VR support enhancing the thrill through stunning effects like rocket trails and canopy visuals.

The storyline, though not perfect, is regarded as compelling and emotional, enriched by a phenomenal soundtrack and sound design that heighten the cinematic feel. The inclusion of a "Roguelike" conquest mode and varied mission types keeps gameplay fresh and engaging for repeated playthroughs.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include occasional control issues, such as unresponsive gunfire during critical moments, and some janky mechanics that can frustrate players. The cloud visuals, while visually impressive, are sometimes distracting and may cause performance drops on less powerful systems. Some players desire more content, such as additional planes, missions, or cooperative multiplayer modes, and express frustration over the lack of mid-mission checkpoints in longer campaigns.

VR performance is noted as challenging to optimize, requiring high-end hardware and settings adjustments for smooth play. Additionally, the story delivery could be improved to better convey its narrative depth, and there are minor issues with text translation and subtitles.