Flight of the Intruder

Flight of the Intruder is a flight and combat simulator developed by Rowan Software for PC and published by Spectrum Holobyte in 1990. The following year, Amiga and Atari ST versions were also released.

The game is based on or inspired by the novel Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts, which takes readers into the world of the Vietnam War. The same novel served as the basis for the film directed by John Milius, starring Danny Glover and Willem Dafoe, but let's not digress here.

As we know, Rowan specialized in simulations and had already produced the famous Falcon in 1987 and the lesser-known Harrier Combat Simulator. True to form, Flight of the Intruder: The Air War in Vietnam aims for realism, aiming to immerse the player in the complexity and intensity of the Vietnam War by putting them in the cockpit of two aircraft actually used by the Americans: the Grumman A-6 and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The simulation aimed to reproduce many aspects of air warfare in Vietnam realistically, so you will face various problems, from air defenses to decidedly inaccurate missiles. Even the cockpit, with all its indicators and buttons, is quite complicated to understand. If you're a simulator enthusiast, you can even try manual landing, which will require significant practice. Perhaps it's better to let the computer handle it. Lowering the difficulty level will automate many functions and be managed by the computer.

Flight of the Intruder is certainly a well-made game, with a meticulously crafted setting and a level of realism that will please enthusiasts. If you prefer arcade games, it's definitely not for you, but if you enjoy poring over manuals and learning to manage a real aircraft in all its aspects, then this is the title for you.