classicgames.org - Corncob 3D

Corncob is one of few shareware flight sims. Unfortunately, it's not a very good one.

The missions seem at least mildly engaging, but the gameplay is marred by awkward controls. Naturally, a flight sim requires relatively complex controls, but it detracts somewhat from the gameplay when you have to check the manual every time you want to accomplish something. When I didn't consult the help pages, I'd often wind up accidentally doing things like blowing up my own airport. Or my own plane.

In addition, the graphics are dismal. This doesn't really seem to be a fault of the engine but the graphics mode, which is 16-color EGA. As a result, everything looks like colored circles. There's no shading or light effects to hint at geometry, and hence the game is frustratingly confusing. It's mildly aggravating to fly up towards some target and pelt it with missiles only to have absolutely no clue what happens. I still have trouble distinguishing between the colored circles produced by explosions and the colored circles that are actually weird shopping cart-like things roaming around on the ground.

I probably only resent this game because of the authors. Pie in the Sky does admittedly appear to possess coders of skill, but their 3D DOOM-clone engine was used to produce dozens of abominations such as Red Babe.

Posted by Kevin on 2000-09-06

Although I profess to have enjoyed playing Corncob 3D at the age of nine, I seem to recall an episode in which I spotted a bogie in the sky...

Me: *crackle* Jaguar to Aleph, I've got a bogie on my six.

Aleph: Respond with full force, *krrk* Code Blue.

Me: Ten-four... *crackle* Aleph, come in, Aleph!

Aleph: What is it, Jaguar?

Me: *krkr* My engines are stalling...

Alpeh: Fire your payload and get out of there, man!

Me: Roger... everything's gone's black! Aleph, what does your radar indicate?

Aleph: My god... that wasn't just any yellow, circle-shaped enemy aircraft... you just fired your missles at the sun! You have doomed us to an eternity of darkness!

Me: Well, shit.

Posted by Darius on 2002-01-03

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