Fear the Bones Review

[AMEDooley]

Finished the campaign and thought I’d give my review of it. Full disclosure, I flew the entire campaign in the F-18 with no 120’s, 9Xs, HMD, or Data link. Also I’ve worked with Reflected as a voice actor. Just want to be upfront.

Over all this campaign was very well done. From the VO work to the missions, everything felt top notch. I surprisingly really enjoyed the interviews I got to listen to. It really did set the mood well and gives that late 80’s vibe. I first thought it was a bit campy but after the second one I was looking forward to them.

None of the missions are too difficult but still challenging enough to make you work for it. I really enjoyed the long CAP mission even though it took me twice to get it done.

The VO is one of the best out there. Even though I used the Hornet it was fun hearing from my “RIO” and the rest of the crew were funny and I could feel the emotion from them when the heat came. Great job, easily the best part of the campaign.

While I did enjoy some of the 1980’s pop culture references, too many came from the same place and it wasn’t my bag. But I get it, it’s an F-14 campaign so let the Top Gun reference run rampant. I really did like the pictures that get taken however and it was nice to recreate one of the more iconic aviation photos around.

The only criticism I really have was I wish there was a reference to the BRC and Bingo amounts in the kneeboards. But that is a very tiny complaint in an outstanding campaign.

If you’re looking for a mostly realistic and challenging campaign that’s full of funny and interesting moments, you’ll not find a better campaign that blends the campy and real so well. Tip of the cap to you Reflected. This was an excellent campaign. One that I am glad I finished before I won’t have the chance with your announced changes. Keep up the great work!

[Reflected]

SACRILEGE!!!

 

Just kidding...

 

or am I?

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and writing down your impressions. I'm happy you had fun going through it. You know how I like to seek the utmost realism in my campaign, but in this one I just wanted to do everything I can't do in those, so I squeezed in all the corny 80s mojo I could

I just realized that even now the campaign has some cockpit switch based triggers, you probably missed those, but nothing game breaking. Did you get landing checklists when abeam?

About the Bingo and BRC - in Naval ops they use a fuel ladder rather than a set Bingo (see video below), but for that we'd need cyclic ops and that can't really be simulated in DCS yet. BRC in DCS is constant, but in real life wind changes, the ship turns, you can only be sure of the BRC when you contact Marshal 50 miles out, and even after that if may change - anyhow it's part of the built in DCS ATC comms too.

Again, thanks a lot for the kind words - and also for the great voice overs!
 

 

[AMEDooley]

I definitely did not get those calls lol! But it wasn’t anything game breaking in the slightest. I only wanted BRC for launch not landing. It is needed for Case 1 launches. I could figure it out pretty well most of the time, off by only a degree or two. But like I said it something that wasn’t really that big of a deal. And I totally understand the need to cyclic ops for the ladders, but I thought having a bingo would be a good work around. Again, very small, small things that I added for some constructive feedback. I did like your video on the ladder, it was well explained, even if it’s a bit above my lvl. I enjoyed the campaign man, even with the campy stuff. It kind of lends to its charm. I really thought the interviews with Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen bands was very cool. This is probably my second favorite campaign after the RO series. 

Edited May 1, 2024 by AMEDooley

[PhantomHans]

Just finished the canpaign myself.  Love it, hope we will see more like it, although perhaps a bit more towards the serious side in the future?

With the upcoming Kola map, it may be possible to recreate some of the old Fleet Defender campaigns that were set along the coast of Norway, and eventually I'd love to have all of the classic FD campaigns redone in DCS.

 

(Edit: I guess technically Fleet Defender used a map of the North Cape region, basically the entire coast of Norway and inland to the western bits of Finland, so probably not really the Kola map we will be getting...)

 

Just one thought about the VOs though, if at all possible, can you get someone to replace the AI generated voice for the news reports?  Someone has to have someone in the family willing to read a few lines!?

Edited May 20, 2024 by PhantomHans