A few years after its initial launch, Project Wingman: Frontline 59 takes flight on the PlayStation 5, bringing the combat flight action experience to a new platform with PSVR2 support. Published by Humble Games and developed by Sector D2, the game offers exotic battlegrounds, diverse aircraft, and a mix of arcade-style flying and intense dogfights.
The narrative of Project Wingman: Frontline 59 draws on fictional combat scenarios based in various combat zones around the world, from the Bering Strait to the Yellowstone magma fields. Combined with excellent visuals, this creates an almost Top Gun-like experience, though the most immersive way to enjoy it is limited. The PSVR2-exclusive missions, despite impressive new features like eye tracking and rumble support, are limited to just six, the rest of the missions not having been adapted to VR gameplay.
Project Wingman: Frontline 59 offers a departure from traditional flight simulators, leaning towards an arcade-style experience that favors action-oriented flying and combat. The ability to perform daring maneuvers without stalling adds an element of accessibility for players who enjoy intense air combat but don’t want to study a manual to do so. The Conquest Mode, drawing inspiration from roguelikes and RPGs, introduces a tactical layer, challenging players to build a mercenary army to take on the opposition – a surprising twist in a game like this.
The control scheme is well-suited to arcade air combat, and the only (expensive) things that would make it better is flightstick support for the VR mode. The DualSense controller is very responsive and enjoyable though, and its haptic feedback and rumble features enhance the VR experience.
Graphically, Project Wingman: Frontline 59 impresses with detailed environments, diverse and beautiful landscapes, and well-detailed aircraft. The visuals take a hit when playing in PSVR2 mode, but they’re still impressive – with radio chatter adding to the immersion while you’re in a mission.
Project Wingman: Frontline 59 is a more than competent air-combat experience with engaging content for solo players – and a rare contender in a genre that’s not very populated on consoles. The diverse aircraft and Conquest mode contribute positively to the overall experience, though it’s disappointing that the VR content is so limited compared to what flat screen users get. Perhaps not the VR showcase we were hoping for, but a fine arcade air combat title for modern consoles nonetheless.
Score: 7.2/10
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