'Red Baron3D' - ancient sim, still playable?

Ranger · November 21, 2005, 05:45:24 PM

Been looking at flight combat sims (there's a thread about this elsewhere)...

But I was a bit disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any recent WWI dogfight sims around...

Anyway, turns out that there is a bit of a 'underground' group of gamers who still swear-by and still play 'Red Baron3D' (which I beleive was released in 1998!!!).

What has happened is that hard-core fans have brought out their own patches and expansions to keep the game improving. And while it can't be compared - graphically - to more modern flight sims, the game play makes it worth seeking out...

IN FACT, I am told you can actually download teh game for free (legally) from this link: Free download of Red Baron 3D

(This seems to be because the game had been deleted from the makers catalogue ~ please tell me if this is incorrect.)

SO...I'm gonna give it a go. The forums tell me that this DOES work with XP (despite having being written with Windows 95/98 in mind).

Nothing like a good old tangle with the Red Baron, eh? (Who needs missles and smart bombs anyway?)...

Chocs away, old bean!

sulky_uk · November 21, 2005, 08:49:15 PM

if it doesnt work with xp try a dos emulator and see how you get on with that

RizZy · November 21, 2005, 11:48:26 PM

sounds interesting, i'll check it out sometime when i remember.

Benny · November 22, 2005, 09:24:42 AM

Can't you run it in compatability mode?

Ranger · November 22, 2005, 10:09:57 AM

Cheers guys...

According to various 'Rad Baron' forums it doesn't appear to be a problem getting it going with XP. Many people have (famous last words there!).

The trick is then to apply all the (many) patches and mods on top to make it a more up-to-date game. Apparently the graphics and game-play are improved over the oiginal.

This web page seems to offer a lot of help for the XP user: Red Baron 3D for Beginners!

But I will let you guys know how this has gone on (probably a weekend project).

Penfold · November 22, 2005, 11:40:13 AM

I've played Red Baron - in fact I've still got the game CD's knocking around. I seem to remember that it was fine for dog fighting but as soon as you tried doing missions it became really long and tedious.

I think navigation was an issue as well as limited time constraints.

Talking about 90's games and flight sims I remember for F19 Stalth fighter in the early 90's - a great game with crap graphics and then Falcon 3 where you could pit aircraft against each other - i.e. the Red Baron bi plane vs a mig etc - called for some fun interpc games.

Red baron is fun - let us know how you get on with it - I wonder if it's available multiplayer - if so then I challenge you at the next LAN and we'll do some dogfighting.... could be a laugh.

PEN

Dewey · November 22, 2005, 02:55:29 PM

Pen, it says you can play it multiplayer on the forum that Ranger mentioned, I think thats one of the main upgrades they've done too the game.

RizZy · November 25, 2005, 09:34:41 AM

Has anyone managed to get hold of this & play it yet? I've been trying to dl it on & off for a few days but it always seems to be busy.

Norm · November 25, 2005, 02:54:44 PM

Got it but cant get it to work.

Anonymous · November 25, 2005, 03:05:49 PM

Can't even get it

gave up :angry:

BLOOD_THIRSTY · November 26, 2005, 02:44:10 PM

Also having problems with the download

Ranger was you a chocs away fan 2 ?

God i bet that game looks bad now tho.

RizZy · November 26, 2005, 05:56:36 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Norm@Nov 25 2005, 02:54 PM
Got it but cant get it to work.
[post=102830]Quoted post[/post]
[/b]

Same here, I got lost in the whole installation process & gave up, someone out there must be able to work it out & tell the rest of us normal folk how to get it working.