Has MicroProse revived the days of proper flight sim fun?
There was a time when flight sims shipped in a big box with a detailed manual to read, preferably before you played the game.
Back in the 16-bit and early PC era, games like F-117A Nighthawk (or its C64 predecessor, Project Stealth Fighter), F-15 Strike Eagle and Gunship struck a near-perfect balance: believable aircraft, satisfying combat, and just enough realism to make you feel clever rather than exhausted. You flew fast jets, blew things up, and had a great time doing it.
Somewhere along the way—roughly around the point Microsoft Flight Simulator became the dominant reference point—that balance tipped. Realism became the goal, fun became collateral damage, and combat flight sims started to feel more like unpaid training exercises.
Which is why the upcoming Steam release of F-22: Air Dominance Fighter is so interesting.
Digital Image Design’s 1990s original
Originally released in 1997 by Digital Image Design, F-22: Air Dominance Fighter arrived right in the middle of the golden age of PC flight sims—and it showed. This was a game that wanted you airborne quickly, but still gave you plenty to chew on once you were there.
You weren’t just locked into a single cockpit view, either. One of F-22’s standout features was the ability to step back and run the wider air war from an AWACS-style command interface. You could oversee the entire battlefield, direct allied aircraft, watch engagements unfold in real time, and then instantly jump into any F-22 when things got spicy.
It felt ambitious without being overwhelming, and clever without being smug about it.
Big maps, busy skies, and lots to do
Set across a large Red Sea theatre, F-22: Air Dominance Fighter throws a lot at you:
- Over 90 missions across seven campaigns
- Air superiority, interception, naval strikes and airfield attacks
- A living battlefield where air, land and sea units all operate at once
This wasn’t a series of disconnected missions—it was a dynamic warzone that kept moving whether you were involved or not. That sense of scale was genuinely impressive in the late 90s, and still feels ambitious today.
The Steam version keeps the spirit intact
The upcoming Steam release sticks closely to the original vision, but with modern conveniences layered on top rather than pasted over it.
Notable additions include:
- 6DoF head tracking, making cockpit awareness far more natural
- Visual options ranging from chunky retro resolutions to 4K, depending on how nostalgic you’re feeling
- Achievements, for those who enjoy a bit of structured challenge
- Modding support, which could give this a long tail if the community gets involved
- A long list of fixes and tweaks to keep things running smoothly on modern systems
Crucially, none of this looks like it’s trying to turn F-22 into something it never was. This isn’t a hyper-realistic study sim. It’s a combat flight game that wants you in the action, not buried in menus.
Why I’m looking forward to F-22: Air Dominance Fighter
Watching the trailer, what really stands out is the tone. This looks like a game that understands why so many of us fell in love with flight sims in the first place. Fast jets. Clear objectives. Manageable systems. The thrill of being an airborne war machine without needing a second monitor just for reference charts.
If you grew up on MicroProse sims (or spent far too much time in the skies of F-117A and F-15 Strike Eagle) this is another like a welcome throwback to a design philosophy that’s been missing for a long time.
MicroProse publishing the game fits its recent move into arcade sim titles, such as the resurrection of B-17 Flying Fortress, and the Geoff Crammond racing games. It’s a name still carries weight when it comes to titles that value gameplay as much as authenticity.
F-22: Air Dominance Fighter is coming soon to Steam, and for anyone who misses flight sims that prioritised excitement over exhaustive realism, this might be one to keep firmly on your radar.
The planned release date is February 26th, and you can wishlist F:22 Air Dominance Fighter now. (I have!)
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
