The sequel to Aerowings is all about dog fighting. What a change! Game Info Publisher Crave Entertainment Developer CRI Genre Action Origin UNKNOWN Release Fall 2000 Fans of the original will appreciate that the replay mode has returned, even even better form.

The first Aerowings game was not a totally original concept, but it was surely one that was rarely used. You had beautiful high-end graphics, a variety of extremely sexy jets, andà no fire button. The only thing that challenged your ownership of the sky was your own lousy piloting, and perhaps many of the trigger hungry fighters out there just couldn't get used to the concept.

Well, you asked for it, you got it. This fall, Crave brings CRI's Aero Dancing F to America as Aerowings 2: Air Strike, and quite unlike the original, the sequel uses full air combat as its motif. Using an array of decked out military planes from the US and Japan, players take to the sky to kick a little airborne butt. Choose from over 25 different fighter jets, including such popular favorites as the F-14 Tomcat and the F-16 Strike Eagle, and get ready to fly.

Air Strike features four different modes of play. The first thing youÆll want to do is tackle the training missions. TheyÆll teach you how to fly and use those weapons youÆre packing in a mature and responsible fashion. Yeah, right. There are over 30 missions for you to test your skills at, and completing them all will unlock some special bonuses.

Once youÆre all trained up, itÆs time to jump into the shark tank. When you think you're ready, dig your way into 15 flight competition stages that will show you how much youÆve really learned. YouÆll need to have sharp piloting skills to match your hotdog gunning skills if you want to come out of these alive.

If you're just looking for a quick game, or maybe a zen-like way to cool off, thereÆs always the Free Flight mode. Strap into your favorite jet, pick a flight arena, and even change the weather conditions. Soar the through the wild blue yonder by yourself enjoying the intricacies of the flight model, or take out a little rage on some enemy pilots, itÆs your choice.

Aerowings 2 isn't just for single player, though. In what's sure to provide much in the way of replay, you can also challenge a friend to split-screen dogfight to the finish. Pick your jet and gun down your buddies without any of the post-anxiety syndrome that comes with being a real fighter pilot! Just remember to watch your head in the canopy. You donÆt want to end up like poor Goose. No word yet on if Crave will be supporting a link cable like the Japanese version did, but we'll letcha' know when we find out.

With the inclusion of dog fighting, the game's concept has definitely been given a serious overhaul, but itÆs not the only thing that's changed. Aerowings 2 has even sharper looking graphics than the already beautiful visuals of the original. Rest assured, your sky battles will be fast and furious. Even better, once you've racked up some kills and performed some death-defying stunts, you can save it all to your VMU to compare with your friends.

That's right, the replay mode from the original is back. You can watch a replay of your flight from up to 20 different camera angles to admire your acts of aerial ability, or to see what went wrong when you crash and burn. If you want, you can even step back into your replays to set right what once went wrong. When you are all done playing with all of these options, save it on your VMU to show off with later.

Aerowings 2: Air Strike looks to build on the already unique and quirky fun of the original. If you are looking for some slick airborne battling, keep an eye on this potential winner due out this fall. Be sure to check back with us soon for some hands-on E3 impressions, and check out our coverage of the import at this address.

-- Shaun Musgrave, IGNDC