Combat Skies is a first person aircraft shooter game that simulates the exciting and dangerous part of the world of a fighter pilot on front line active service. It is set in World War One; the pioneering era of aerial warfare. The level of realism is high with the sights and sounds of 3D space accurately simulated.
Flight training is provided free. Up to fifteen aerial battles are available as In App Purchases which the player can choose amongst. Each battle has set objectives with enemies to overcome and threats to neutralise. Targets are aerial, ground based or shipborne. Tactics and skill are critical to success. Success is rewarded by promotions and medals.
The air forces of four nations or empires are represented. By choosing a battle you also choose the national allegiances of the pilot. A total of seventeen fighter aircraft are available when all battles have been purchased.
The player (you) fly your fighter aircraft controlling the flight surfaces to manoeuvre aerodynamically, turning, rolling, climbing and diving and any combination of these manoeuvres. Your aircraft looses speed when climbing and gains speed when diving. Flight control is done by tilting your device in an intuitive way simulating conventional aircraft control. Optionally a MFI (made for iPhone) compatible gamepad can be used with an iPhone or iPad or an on screen touch joystick flight control.
Pilots of the pioneering era of flight were equipped with mark one eyeballs; formidable tools. A small screen doesnt compare with such tools. Several pilot aids help compensate for the difference. Simulated radar detects enemies outside the field of view shown on the screen. On screen touch joysticks provide scanning capability. Enemy aircraft are equipped with halos that increase the visibility of the aircraft.
The enemys weapons include fighter, spotter (or observer) and bomber aircraft. There are also truck and ship mounted antiaircraft guns. The bomber and zeppelin aircraft are equipped with bombs.
The players weapon is a potent machine gun but hitting a target moving independently in 3D space can be challenging and yet satisfying. The gun is fixed and is aimed by pointing the aircraft. A gun aiming aid is provided to compensate for the flight time of the bullets. Red rings appear in the players gunsight when the bullets will likely hit the enemy aircraft. If the enemy is moving to your left or right you should aim in front of him - to lead the target. The red rings appear when you have the right lead.
The player can choose between pilot view and chase view modes. Pilot view simulates the pilots view from the cockpit. The wings of the aircraft more or less seriously limit the pilots visibility depending on the particular aircraft. Chase view provides a better (but less realistic) view from behind the aircraft.
Gauges show altitude, speed and state of health. Contextual help is provided. In flight help is also provided when the game is paused.
An optional hard game play mode increases the challenge of the battles as all enemies have to be destroyed to win each battle.
CombatSkies3 is compatible with the following hardware:
iPod Touch 6th and 7th generation (gen)
iPhone 6 - 15Pro Max including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen
iPad Mini 2nd - 6th gen
iPad 5th - 10th gen
iPad Air 1 - 4 gen
iPad Pro 1st - 5th gen
iPad Pro 10 inch 1st - 2nd gen
iPad Pro 11 inch 2nd - 4th gen
CombatSkies3 is compatible with the following software:
iOS 12 and higher