F-22 Interceptor

F-22 Interceptor
North American box art
Developer	Lerner Research
Publishers	WW: Electronic Arts JP: Electronic Arts Victor
Producer	Paul Grace
Designer	Ned Lerner
Programmers	Gene Kusmiak Scott Cronce
Artist	Alan J. Murphy
Composer	Michael Bartlow
Platform	Sega Genesis
Release	NA: November 1991 EU: December 1991 JP: February 12, 1993
Genre	Air combat simulation
Modes	Single-player, multiplayer

F-22 Interceptor is a 1991 combat flight simulator created by Ned Lerner and Gene Kusmiak. It was released by Electronic Arts for the Sega Genesis.

The player controls one aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, throughout the game. At that time, the prototype of the F-22, the Lockheed YF-22, had only first flown in 1990. Like LHX Attack Chopper, another flight simulator by EA, the playable aircraft had not yet been developed.

Gameplay

Destroying enemy aircraft results in a great explosion and no survivors.

The player has three skill levels to choose from: Cadet, Training, and Combat. The player must then pick one of four campaigns, called 'US', 'Korea' (North Korea), 'Iraq', and 'Russia' (Soviet Union). In each level, the player's F-22 is targeted by surface-to-air missiles, enemy aircraft, and artillery. The mission is to destroy the targets and complete the objectives using a wide range of missiles, from heat seeking missiles, precision-guided bombs, and chaff. The aircraft is also given two cannons for engaging enemy targets.

At the end of each mission, the player is required to either land on a runway or an aircraft carrier. Sometimes in-flight refueling is needed to prevent the F-22 from crashing.

As the game progresses, the player will be able to unlock an Aces campaign, where they will face off with advanced pilots from North Korea, Iraq, the Soviet Union, and the United States, the four countries the player visits while playing through the first four campaigns.

The game also had a rudimentary mission editor.

Although there is not conventional multiplayer, two players can fly as pilot and copilot; a second controller allows a second player to target while the first player flies.

Reception

Reception

Review scores

Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	7/10, 8/10, 7/10, 5/10
MegaTech	90%

Award

Publication	Award
MegaTech (1991)	Hyper Game Award

MegaTech magazine said the game was "absolutely fantastic. The graphics, presentation and playability are all spot on". Mega placed the game at #30 in their Top Mega Drive Games of All Time.

External links

• F-22 Interceptor at MobyGames