From the 3rd mission, you already get a Balmoral bomber with two turrets, front and back. And plenty of missiles. Also interesting that you have not just one, but 5 wingmen, although only one is configurable. Unfortunately, it also means more planes to ram you as you about to complete the mission.
Using just the keyboard is suprisingly simpler than I expected. One thing the game loves you to do, though, is pick someone up from a plane/zeppelin/train. Almost every second mission makes you do that. And that requires matching speed. This is pretty annoying to pull.
What’s strange is that you can’t refit your plane. If you want another gun arrangment or armor distribution, you have to sell one plane and buy a new one.
Storywise, first few missions are about hunting after Drake’s treasure. Then we rescue our scientist friend from russians, and his daughter from Americans, alongside an experimental plane.
Maybe I don’t understand some mechanic, but the first Hollywood mission is brutal. You have to hit tiny police cars, then fight off two waves of superior enemies, then pick up a tiny car risking hitting the ground. Not fun.
