Tornado

Tornado is a detailed combat flight simulator that asks considerably more from the player than simply pointing an aircraft at the nearest target. Based around the Panavia Tornado, it combines tactical missions, navigation, weapons management, and demanding flight controls into a package aimed squarely at serious aviation enthusiasts. Missions can involve different objectives and changing tactical situations, meaning that preparation matters almost as much as reflexes. The cockpit provides an impressive amount of information, although newcomers may initially feel as though they have accidentally wandered into an aircraft maintenance course. Once mastered, however, the systems give the game a satisfying sense of depth. Tornado belongs firmly to the tradition of simulations that reward patience rather than button mashing. It may not be the easiest flight game to pick up casually, but for players willing to learn its machinery, it offers a convincing taste of modern air combat from behind a very busy instrument panel.