GAMES WE LOVE

Sky Gamblers - Infinite Jets

Highway to the danger zone

Romanian developer Atypical Games made a name for itself with Sky Gamblers, an ultrarealistic flight-simulation game that blew gamers away when it debuted more than five years ago. Since then, the studio has served up several well-crafted sequels, but Sky Gamblers: Infinite Jets may be its most ambitious to date—a dogfighting experience so authentic that it’s certain to send your heart aflutter as your stomach drops.

The game is divided into two modes. There’s the single-player campaign, which begins with a practice exercise over a populated city that goes awry when jet fighters shoot live rounds at your fliers. It’s up to you to take to the skies over places like San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro to unravel a treasonous plot.

There are also the online multiplayer PvE or PvP battles, in which as many as 14 jets duel in Mach-speed 7v7 showdowns.

Even by Atypical’s already-high standards, the visuals in Infinite Jets are impressive. Jets come to life with meticulous detail in expansive environments that stretch as far as the eye can see. Everything pops with beautiful lighting, particle effects, advanced geometry, and more. It’s a true showpiece.

Amazingly, the graphics ultimately take a back seat to the robust selection of jets. The game packs more than 100 planes, each with unique attributes in structure, maneuverability, speed, stealth, and evasion. Upgrade and customize them with different paints and decals so your enemies can identify you before you shoot them down.

The real draw, of course, is the dogfights, which are nothing short of intense. Infinite Jets features intuitive controls for quick access to pitch and yaw, thrust, and weapons. In minutes, you’ll find yourself barrel-rolling between skyscrapers before blasting skyward into a loop, then coming back down on your enemies and sending missiles after them.

Have fun piloting this game—good luck staying sitting down!