Rise of Flight is the eagerly anticipated World War I PC flight-simulation title from Moscow-based developer neoqb. The flight simulator, set in the Western Front in 1917, was built on the newly developed Digital Nature engine. More than 125,000 square kilometers of the territory have been redrawn from 20th Century maps.Rise of Flight allows virtual pilots to fly the famous Spad XIII and deadly Fokker D.VII biplanes in exciting dogfight battles. Featuring advanced physics, flight and damage models, Rise of Flight promises a realistic, challenging and fun experience for simulation fans of all stripes and skill levels. Rise of Flight also implements full 6 DOF TrackIR support and is compatible with the TripleHead2Go multi-monitor system from Matrox.

Rise of Flight includes a Training Campaign and Single Player missions so players can hone their aerial combat skills. Once they are ready, flyers can embark on a Pilot Career that includes six stages from lieutenant to colonel, and begin one of several campaigns with squadrons for the French, British, German or American air forces. Throughout their careers, players can win awards, commendations and promotions for successfully completing their missions.

The new update to Rise of Flight includes a number of improvements to the combat flight simulator's interface. A new chat system has been implemented in network play, allowing players to communicate more easily. The flight map can now be accessed and navigated more conveniently, and menus and screens throughout the game have been improved. A profile statistics screen now tracks and displays a wide variety of statistics, keeping players up-to-date with data about their accomplishments.

A number of improvements have been made to Rise of Flight's multiplayer capabilities. In addition to the new chat system, connecting to other players for networked games is now easier, and server creation is now fully functional.

Two new airplanes have also been added to Rise of Flight with the update. The British S.E.5a biplane and the German Pfalz D.IIIa fighter join the other meticulously rendered World War I era planes.

Also included are improvements to the artificial intelligence that allow computer-controlled planes to fly and fight more effectively, increasing the simulator's challenge and realism.

Mission types in Rise of Flight include fighter sweeps, bomber escort, bomber interception, balloon attack and ground attack. If they wish, players can use the powerful Mission Builder to create custom scenarios of their own and share them with their friends.

Flight-sim enthusiasts can also play with their friends over the Internet and wage their own virtual air wars against rival online squadrons. Even the greatest of Aces in World War I had a wingman, and Rise of Flight multiplayer action focuses on cooperative teamwork and completion of mission goals. Whichever way you choose to play Rise of Flight, it will surely thrill and excite any simulation fan.

Planned additions to the Rise of Flight experience in the coming months include more flyable aircraft, scenery, objects and features. Hurry! Grab your goggles, leather helmet and silk scarf. Enemy planes are approaching!

CompuExpert's Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War, developed by Russian studio neoqb, is currently available in North America.