Control:  
It’s games like these that make you gripe about the GBA only containing two buttons. With this said, Virtuacraft has done an admirable job of making due with what’s here. The “A” button fires your selected weapon, “B” is primarily used for accelerating and decelerating, and L/R are used for checking your tail with the alternate camera angle. Holding down “B”, and pressing on “L” or “R” changes your weaponry, and the select button brings up a radar that highlights key targets and enemies for you to look onto. With some practice, controlling your craft begins a much easier task, and the controls do a good job of working with you rather than against you.

Gameplay:  
Monotonous – one word that ultimately sums up the gameplay in F-14 Tomcat. It features 20 missions, though as already stated, the levels lack any variety in appearance. Compounding the lack of graphical variety is the fact that objectives are very similar. Missions are began with you reading a slew of text that describe your objectives. After awhile, you’ll begin to notice a general trend – most missions typically consist of destroying some differing types of enemies such as MIG 29s, battleships, cruisers, submarines, and ground defenses – or any combination. Along with enemies, you’ll be mounted with the task of destroying some ground targets as well. The game becomes a constant search, avoid, and destroy – which, depending on your tastes and what you were expecting from F-14 Tomcat, can be a good or bad thing. However, considering that it has the feel of a realistic flight sim/shooter, this arcadeish style of gameplay seems a little out of place.

Even on the easiest difficulty setting – which allows you to bypass take offs and landings – the game is very challenging. Thankfully, since E³, it is now a little easier to locate enemies. Yet, it is still very challenging to keep bogeys on the screen for more than a brief amount of time. Moreover, enemies quickly pursue you without relent and evasive maneuvers are necessary on your part. In my opinion, the challenge does reach a point that the game loses some of its appeal.

All said and done, I did enjoy the action aspects of F-14 Tomcat – to a point. With a little more variety, this game could have been so much more, though.

Sound:
Very realistic sound effects highlight the aural aspect of F-14 Tomcat, as well as background music that is effective in drumming up feelings of patriotism within you. Seeking missiles have a nice purring noise to them, and the repetitious beeping clamor that occurs when you’re nearly mincemeat is actually tolerable. Overall, the sound is very effective.

Multiplayer:
F-14 Tomcat allows for up to four players to take part in multiplayer combat. Thanks to the unpredictable nature of humans, these matches are enjoyable.

OVERALL:
A little bland at times, but a good game nonetheless. Perhaps with a sequel and time to build off of F-14 Tomcat, Virtuacraft can create a stunning flight shooter the second time around. Recommended for a rental if you’re a fan of the genre.

 

The Lowdown on  F-14 Tomcat Aesthetics: Above Average Control: Above Average Gameplay: Average Multiplayer: Above Average Sound: Very Good Innovation: 3/6 Lasting Appeal: 3/6 Overall: Above Average! "A Quality Game"