Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron – Flyboyz Edition

Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron – Flyboyz Edition is just another entry into the ever-expanding Warhammer series. This game however, is made as an aerial combat game that sees the player take control of an orc to fly, shoot and destroy enemy targets across 41st millennium battlefields. For fans of games like Crimson Skies, Ace Combat and Combat Flight Simulator, Dakka Squadron is fun, fast-paced, flying action.

Shooting in Da Skies

As an aerial combat game, Dakka Squadron offers a more entertaining and fast-paced way of flying compared to similar games. The planes fly speedily and can change direction in a blink of the eye. This helps the game maintain it’s wild and bombastic tone, as players are more able to scrape their way out of compromising situations with high maneuverability.

While the graphics are nothing to shout about, the general atmosphere of the game can’t be denied. From the sight of dozens of planes duking out in aerial combat, to the scrappy, Mad Max-esque desert environments, the game has a tone that’s in your face and proud of it.

I Believe I Can Fly

Anyone who has played aerial combat games will be familiar with the sort of missions available in Dakka Squadron. Unfortunately, as the game is still in development, the game’s single player offering isn’t something you can commit hours and hours of gameplay into. Players can expect to shoot down enemy planes in any number of mission-based contexts, but ultimately the core gameplay boils down to two things: fly and shoot.

The game does promise to have a more interesting future with its eventual multiplayer release, which has been described as having up to 60 concurrent players in a free-for-all match. And while this sounds incredibly fun and a great new take on the aerial combat genre, it feels like an over-promise on the game that players currently have access to.

Niche, Niche and More Niche

The biggest issue that falls upon Warhammer 40,000: Dakka Squadron – Flyboyz Edition is the fact that it belongs to the Warhammer IP. For players who aren’t familiar with the extensive Warhammer lore, then there is incredibly little to be found here.

The game does very little to try to explain aspects of the Warhammer lore, and new players might wonder who exactly the Orcs are, and why they talk in their distinctive dialect. In fact, the way the Orcs speak is one of the biggest annoyances. In the Warhammer universe, Orcs have a phonetic, almost faux-cockney way of speaking, which becomes grating very quickly.

PROS:

• Lots of details and fun bits of lore for Warhammer fans
• Gameplay is light, fun and satisfying
• Unique setting

CONS:

• Very niche with little to offer for newcomers
• The game isn’t currently finished
• Voice lines are overbearing and too frequent

Personal rating - 4/10