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An alternative to Sky Aces:

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Started 16 years ago by Whiterabbit-uk
Latest reply from Boondoggle53

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Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Red Neck posted brief details of a free game galled Wings of War a WWI aircraft simulator. I followed it up and found the site despite Redneck not giving the full link. Anyway, imagine my surprise once I'd downloaded the files and set it up, It's a brilliant WWI shooter, with almost photorealistic scenery and planes that are far better than those you get in Sky Ace. Though with a full 2G required for the final installation you'd expect good graphics anyway. You can find the download page in the comments section. Well you will later, provided my post has been passed by the moderators, as I've queried it's legality as it seems too good to be true, though I’m only a little unsure, so decided to post here anyway. RedNecks link is missing the www. only, so it should be easy enough to find.

Oh well… here ya are:

http://wingsofwar.info/download.htm

You have to download all six files (that are found at the bottom of the download page, together with all the patches, then unpack the six game files using winrar to another file. (if you haven’t got winrar, a link has been provided on the download page to get a copy) Once they have been unpacked, replace the WoW executable with a no CD patch, then install the game to wherever you wish it to go on your computer. If you liked sky aces, you'll definitely like this one. The six files required are 125Mb each apart from the sixth which is 79Mb. The patches are small by comparison. There's a v1.2 patch, and two no CD patches one for the original v1.0 version and one for if you patch it to v1.2. It seems that some WoW community members still play the v1.0 version online, so if you update it to v1.2 you won’t be able to play those. There is both a single player instant action as well as a single player campaign to work through and it seems there’s a dedicated bunch of people who regularly play it online (which is where this game has come from. In fact the guy who runs the server has given it away, but as I said I don't now whether this is an official abandonware title yet). I’m going to do some checking later today once I've had a sleep.

If you decide to download it and have any problems just post here and i'll try and talk you through the installation again.

One final thing, I do hope this is okay as otherwise I'm going to feel like a right idiot. lol As it was posted quite some time ago by Red Neck I can only assume that the moderators have either missed the reference or have deemed it okay.

Good hunting (in the sky that is)

WR

p.s.
I did find a link to a downloadable games manual as well, but fogot to make a note of the link and now can't find it. I'll see if I can find it later, failing that i could upload it if anyone is interested. Though if I found it anyone could. lol

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
After reading your review on Sky Ace I D/L the game,and all went well with install.Started the game to see if there might be any problems,and tried the Quick Game and this went well,just wanted to see what it looked like and would give it a 6 or 7 out of 10.
After reading you comments on WoW I was intrigued to say the least,so I went to the site and decided to give it a try even though I was a little confused by your instructions as to the D/Loading,( no fault of yours ).I am just not that well versed when it comes to all the steps involved.
However sharing your appreciation for this and other types of war games I gave it my best shot, no pun intended.I will try as best as I can to describe the sequence of steps I took.It was slightly confusing as to the order in which to D/L the files,so to keep things orderly I created a main folder and then created sub folders to put each file in.
FOLDER 1. Has the 6 files from bottom of site page.
2. WoW ver1.0
3. WoW ver1.2
4. Executable file link
5. All Access Cheat File
6. WinRaR Unzipping File
This all took over an hour to D/L even with 5 Meg. High speed cable.I should mention my system is a Desktop with Win/Xp Home/SP2 /2-Gig of Ram/200-Gig HD
Radeon 9550 Graphics card/using IE7.
After D/L all files I opened or installed the unzip file which found the folder with the 6 files automatically, because when I checked that folder the icons had changed to ( 3 books with a strap around them ).These were the next steps taken.

1. clicked on file,( war part 1 ) which automatically opened in the unzip app.window,I chose the( extract to) option, and specified a folder I call WoW Game File.This step went fine,checked the WoW Game File,and there were now 16 files in it.

( side note, at this point I did open the Readme file contained in the ( war part 1 file ).Mainly system requirements,and I should be ok,as I have recently D/l latest drivers.)

2.clicked on file ( war part 2 ) specified the folder WoW game file,when I clicked (extract to ) a message popped up, that folder already contains this file,this was the same result for the rest of the 5 remaining files I tried to unzip,and gave up on that.

3.Then proceeded to open the ( war part 1 file ) that did extract and cut the( WoW executable file ) and saved it to another folder,just in case, Then I replaced it with the (WoW_patch.exe ver. 1.2 file )

4. Still in the ( war part 1 extracted folder ) I clicked the ( setup.exe ) file and a full screen window opened with a sub window called ( setup status ) and a progressing status bar showing it loading and switching the full screen to different screen shots.
From what I saw of the screen shots the graphics look fantastic and Sky Ace does not even come close to this game, If I can get it to work I would give it a 10 out of 10.( I'm getting ahead of myself,after the setup status finished,another small window popped up saying ( Direct x9.ob needed to play WoW.Choose yes at next dialog box ) But this option never came up.

5.Now at this point I'm not sure what I clicked next,because I had been at it for a couple of hours,but I do remember another small window popup saying ( unable to launchdxsetup.exe ).

At this point I stopped trying, realizing I need the DirectX 9. and stumped as to why the other files would not extract.

I realize all the time you give to this forum and greatly appreciate all of your reviews, and will only D/L a game after checking your review. If you can be of any help it will be appreciated, AT YOUR LEISURE.
I have tried to be as descriptive as possible and hope it makes sense,even so I know my steps for installation are flawed.
So before you even consider my problems go spend time playing with your Kids.
Thanks in advance!!!

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hi Scubaguy. Read my comment in the thread entitled Freeware games. I explain to Runesage that I was overly excited (as well as tired as ****) when I wrote the instructions yesterday. I'm in the process of rewriting the instructions again in the Freeware thread, though i may actually repeat them here as it does seem more appropriate. I do tend to waffle on though, so I apologise if I've caused you any grief. Follow the link below (in about 10 to 15 minutes time as i'm still actually re writing the instructions, or see below (if there is another post by me, lol)

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2614/page/2?replies=35

By the way I did basically the same as you with respect to placing the files into seperate folders.

I've played the game off and on all day whenever the kids have been playing outside wth their friends (the temperature has been amazing for this time of year at 13 degrees C)and have been throughly enjoying myself, there's just the right balance of action, graphic,s and difficulty as well as the arcade feel instead of a more derious $70 game. There's even power ups to be picked up in game, which i mention in the post that's not quite finished via the link above. We'll get you flying very soon :)

WR

in the meantime check out this video:

http://www.wingsofwar.info/wingsofwar_090104_01_wmvlow.wmv

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Here's the basic installtion instructions though I've posted a much more in depth post in the Freeware thread that i've linked above:

Instuctions:

1) Create a folder on your desktop called Wings of War

2) Using winrar, unzip the files to the folder you’ve just created in the sequence 1 to 6. allow all files to be overwritten.

3) Once you’ve unzipped all six files to the folder replace the executable file labeled WoW, that looks like a set of wings with the No CD patch v1.0. (that looks exactly the same as the executable you’re swapping) You can back up the original if you wish, but I see no reason to)

4) Click on the set up file, which then allows you to select where you want the installation to be installed. Once this is done you’re good to go.

You’ll find a shortcut in the Start menu programs folder called Gathering which contains the game shortcut, online shortcut and a set up shortcut, though no uninstaller

I was wrong about the final installations size; it’s only 1.13GB not over 2Gb as I suggested somewhere else.

I hope this helps.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
Thanks for the quick reply,and don't rush on my account Any frustration is only due to my inability to be more computer savvy.
This game looks like it is definitely worth the wait.
Wish I could say the same about our weather,we have about 2 feet of snow on the ground,and its below 0 here.When the spring gets here I will definitely be outside with my new laptop.
I'm watching the video as I write,looks great!!!
I remember a movie that came out last year,it was about WWI flying aces based in England,great movie!!! I think I might just go and rent it again If I can remember the name of it.

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Check the other thread as I've posted a fuller account:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2614/page/2?replies=35

The weather is supposed to change dramatically here tomorrow.

WR

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
Great, will give this a try,I'm just wondering if I still need to D/L DirectX 9
I checked my ADD/Remove to see if it was there but didn’t see it.
Will check programs file next for it.
I'll let you know how it goes.
THANKS!!

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

To check to see if you hav DX9 go to the start menu click on the run command and type in dxdiag. That brings up the dxdiag tools window At the bottom of the system info list you shoul see the version of DX 9 you have. Mine is v4.09.0000.0904. As it's nearly four years old i don't think you'll require the latest vesion, lol

Let me know if you have any more problems.

WR

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
Success!!!I can see I'll be at this game for hours,now if I can only learn how not to keep flying myself into the ground, LOL!!!Still trying to learn the controls,this game would be much easier with a J-stick.Saw somewhere in the game indicating that one might be used,not sure? Normally I don't care for games that use the keys,but this one is worth getting use to it.
Was also wondering if you knew if there was an instruction manual?After I play some more I'll go back to the site and snoop around.

Do you know any more about the (All Access Cheat File) aside from the obvious,and does it install the same as others.
What deference the (ver1.2 )is?
What does the (Executable File Link)do?
I'm considering D/L it to my laptop with (ver.1.2) to see if there is a deference.
The games offered on GAOTD are ok,and appreciated,but WoW is definitely the type I prefer.Thank's again WR for the great find and all the help!

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

Scubaguy.
I have Wings of War up and running on my Vista Home Premium System;looks great.
Did anyone find a manual we could use or where we might find it to get more info.
I am new to these type of games or sims.I seem to be able to plow more ground than some of the farmers that live around me and its the middle of winter here.I do like the graphics.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Boondoggle53
LoL!!! Sounds like your doing about as good as I am.I keep tearing off the landing gear,and running into the ground as well.Working the mouse and the keyboard at the same time takes some getting use to.
About the manual, Whiterabbit-uk mentioned something about one,most likely on the site somewhere,not sure.I have to take the time to look around for one,but there has to be one!!!
Did you find the options and the hanger for different planes?

I did get to the site you posted and it did look promising,but will have to spend more time looking it over as there is a lot to check out.Although I did see something about purchasing a CD or DVD,so it may not be entirely free,I could be wrong.
Hopefully Whiterabbit-uk or BuBBy will check it out and give us there opinion.
If you didn't know BuBBy is the Obi-Wan Kenobi (Administrator) of the forum.
Hope this helps.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Boondoggle53
Forgot to mention,I'm glad to hear you D/L to Vista,I'm running it on my desktop with XP,and after hearing of your success with Vista ,I will now D/L to my laptop which is Vista.

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

Scubaguy
I did find the options;haven't checked out the hanger yet .On the other site you have the option of buying a CD or DVD if you don't wish to take the time to download all the files for the game or sim.They have over twelve or more different aircraft to fly and more scencery to download.Hope this helps.I'm off to check out the hanger and see if I can stay in the air for more than a few minutes at a time.But I am having fun;if I had know about these things when I was younger I might be a little better at it. I did know about the computers when I was younger,but was not into the games somuch as I was into the hardware,oh well my loss;but I am trying to make up for lost time.Thanks for your help and info.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Boondoggle53
Just saw your profile,I'm retired also who else would be up at this time playing computer games. You will find that a lot of us are retired on this Forum, many of us have snow on top of the mountain as well as in the back yard.
I'm in the boonies in ILL.surrounded by farmers as you are.Lived in the city for many years,and they can have it.Just quit sending all that snow down here!!!!

If you look at the first post in this thread, Whiterabbit-uk did have a link to a manual,He just has to find it.He's in the UK I'm not sure what time it is there now ,so we will have to wait.
Went back to the other site and see what you mean,I will definitely be D/L that as well.

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

Scubaguy
Glad to see that you were able to get to the other site,I have already downloaded all the files from there except for the scencery.I know what you mean about the boonies.I was born and raised in the Mich boonies-a selfnamed "Michigander Redneck".I won't live anywhere else.I have traveled some and have seen some pretty nice countryside but there is noplace like home if you know what I mean.There are still a lot of places that I would like to visit and see for myself Good Lord willing but I like where I am and my children know where to find me(sometimes that can be a problem,especially when I want some quiet time with my beautiful wife."I ain't that Old yet and hope never to be.)I am going to get off here and get some sleep.Valentines Day is here and will check back on the site later tonight to see if there is new info. Have a good nite and thanks for the help.

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

Scubaguy
I did a search and found this link:http://www.polovski.com/WoW.htm. It has more info,mods and cheat keys for the sim.When and if you want to;please check it out and let me know what you think of it.I really like this program and I am still looking for more info so that I can get better at playing it.Hope this helps.

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hi guys, I'm glad you like the game. It's fabulous isn't it. I've had a really busy day today, visiting family, then trying to make sense of all the Emails with registration details of the many games I've bought since my accident. I've been trying to back everything up, but in a sensible way as my previous attempts at backing up have been to just copy everything onto disc indiscriminately, which in the end is not a good idea; also I'm trying to collect all the activation details into one folder so that things ...bla bla bla...sorry.. Waffling mode on.... lol

It was quicker to upload the file i mentioned to you the other day. It's a pdf document so you'll need Acrobat Reader to read it:

http://files.filefront.com/wingsofwarrulespdf/;9634365;/fileinfo.html

It seems from what I’ve read over on the WoW home site that the guys who play it are fanatics. With my track record of never becoming an expert on any game as i'm easily enticed away by the constant release of more great games, maybe it would be an idea if we met online sometime soon. there seems to be three servers up all the time. I reckon as novices we could have a great laugh. Though i am a little shy when online, lol.

As I've been searching for this very game for quite some time it's really exciting for me to actually have it in front of me on the PC. It’s definitely much better than most arcade games I have, though I'd put it in a category in between arcade and big bucks games. For a game that’s 4 years old, it looks really cool. Okay when you get close up to some of the scenery it's a little disappointing, but overall, the enjoyment I'm getting playing this game is fantastic. It's weird how when you're away from the ground the scenery looks marvelous.

This has got to be the easiest flight sim game I've ever played. Though I don't mean easy in the literal sense as the game itself isn't easy. But controlling the planes are much more straightforward than many games I've played. I read somewhere that someone was comparing this in some ways to Crimson Skies, which I would agree with. Though Crimson skies is set in an alternative WWII scenario, with weird looking planes and Zeppelins. I’ll have to reinstall that one sometime as it's been on my shelves gathering dust for at least three years.

It wasn’t me who actually found this game. Red Neck mentioned it in passing so I was just a messenger boy really.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Boondoggle53
Took a look at the site,and there's a lot to check out.I went back to the original D/L page and got a link to a page that gives some more info. but certainly not a instruction manual, will just have to keep looking around for one.
If either of us finds a manual post on this thread.Hopfuly Whiterabbit-uk will get back to us on the manual.Here's the link for the page I was talking about.
http://wingsofwar.info/class_on_classic.htm

Edit- Just saw your post Whiterabbit-uk,will now take a min. to read it.

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

I haven't read the manual yet as I'm working from a recently formatted system and haven't reinstalled Arobat yet, so i don't know how in depth it is. I seem to remember it's either based on or is a copy of the booklet you get with the game. I'll have to sort Acrobat out in the morning as I'm just about to get an imprint of the keyboard on my forehead lol (I've actually done that a few times over the past few years lol)

later

WR

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
This game is great!! Unfortunately about all I've been able to do,is get shot up and fly myself into the ground.I will definitely have to spend more time practicing.
The PDF file is for a card game ,will have to spend more time reading as it does seem to give some info. as to playing the comp. game.
I,am going to get some sleep myself ,will talk to you later.
Thanks for the help.

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

WhiteRabbit-uk
Thanks again for all your help and info.It is people like you and the rest that make life a little easier for the rest of us. I for one really appreciate the time and efforts that you have put into this. I downloaded the pdf file and will take a look at it in a little bit. I agree with you this is a fantastic game,and I don't usually like flight games because I always seem to crash. Scubaguy;again thanks also for all your help and I bookmarked the site you mentioned.If there is ever anything I can do to repaid you guys for all the help,I will tried in my small way to do so.Now I'm off to the wild blue yonder,gotta try to catch up with Snoopy.

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

There's nothing to be repaid, getting the game was enought for me. :)

scubaguy, how are you controlling the flight? I'm using both the mouse and keyboard keys and have no problems flying at all? I haven't hooked up my joystick yet though. I've not used a joystick for a long time, soI'm nor sure whether to just stick with the keyboard s I've got the finger practice sorted now, lol.

Posted 16 years ago #
RunesageMagik
Member

Scubadude, I'm so happy to hear that you, too, are something of an "ACE" when it comes to plowing turf with propellors. I really wanted to see if the developers might have hidden an easter egg raspberry for anyone who flew their plane into a steeple, but I could never keep the thing straight and level at low altitude long enough.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Whiterabbit-uk
It seems like my key board right and left are so sensitive ,I keep over compensating.I'm still trying to get the correct sensitivity on the controls.
Using key board and mouse like you.I did turn the mouse look option off as that got real confusing.Controll of ( right,left,up,down,)is so sensitive I can't get him in the crosshair,very jerky flight!!
I just found my joystick (that sounds kinda suggestive)so will try to hook it up and see what happens.It's frustrating,but I like the game enough to keep trying.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

This game is much easier with the J-stick.I am now stuck at the trench war fair level.Can't find the 3 big guns.

Posted 16 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hey runesageMagi, I'm glad to see you decided to download the game. :) (I owe you an mail still - just been too sleepy and busy (if that makes sense). We should all try and meet up online as there's at least three servers going; thouygh we'd all have to make sure we have the same version. I'm still on v1.0; I thought I'd stick with it for now and probably update to v1.2 later. It's working so I don't see the need to update unless the update adds loads more content. :)

I'll try it with my joystick. Though I'm going to have to search for one of those expznsion panels that connects to an internal MoBo socket as none of my motherboards have external sockets for the Joystick. I do have one somewhere in my spares cupboard :)

WR

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

RunesageMagi
Sorry RM didn't mean to ignore your post,only just saw it until now.
Trying to play this game with the keyboard and the mouse did not work for me,having to look at the key board and taking my eyes off the screen inevitably led to smashing into a building ,mountain or the ground.
Since using the J-stick,this has made all the difference,now the game is enjoyable and have been able to progress to different levels.
The level I'm at now, if you keep flying at to high of an altitude,the flight commander keeps nagging you over and over and over to fly lower,to fly lower!!!
So I shot his plane down!!!! LoL...that will get me put in front of a firing squad!!
Oh well it's only a game.

Posted 16 years ago #
Boondoggle53
Member

WhiteRabbit-uk
I saw that you and Scubaguy are using joysticks in the game.So I hunted up my old Thrustmaster usb joystick. I have to agree that it is more fun using it than trying to fly by the keyboard.At Least I am now getting shot down instead of plowing the ground. I haven't made it pass the first level yet but I am having a lot more fun.If I ever get more than twenty minutes to play;without someone wanting something done,I just might get better.Oh Well such is life,maybe I can talk the wife into trying the game and then maybe seeing if I can get it to run on my home network and play against each other.BTW I think the Good Lord likes to play jokes sometimes; my joystick is the "TOPGUN" model of thrustmaster joysticks. Thats a lot to try to live up to. Now if I can just get both my hands to work together,keyboard and joystick;I might make it to the next level.

Posted 16 years ago #
scubaguy (R.I.P.)
Member

Boondoggle53
The J-stick I'm using is also a ThrustMaster/Topgun/Fox 2/ProShock.It has 7 buttons (or Switches )a thumb control on the base which will control the engine speed (left handed)if this is the same stick you have the only time you have to use the key board is to change camera angle which would be keys (1-2-3-4-5 )and the (F1 ) to get a reminder of what the current mission is.If you need some help as to the set up for which stick buttons to assign what task let me know,as I have tried various combinations and found what seems to work the best (in my opinion).
I was at level 3 but had to do a system restore because of a problem I had with my comp.(unrelated to game) so I may have to start over.

Posted 16 years ago #
Jaddis
Member

I am getting pretty good at just using the keyboard. It took some time and lots of crash landings but I finally got through an entire level. Using pizzadox's cheats to open all the levels has been a real help because I have found some of the later levels to be easier to get through. Level 6 and 8 I think are the ones that I have found seem to be easier to get though so far. Now that I am getting better at flying I should go back and see if I can get through some of first ones.

Posted 16 years ago #

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