The safer alternative is to grind out low-risk side missions, which is lucrative if all optional photographs are taken, but can be repetitious. Sequencing missions to acquire these buffs can give enough of an advantage to push a weak plane and crew through tougher missions, and this is the fastest way back to fighting strength after losing a plane and crew. Some missions will award a buff for the next couple of missions played, such as enemy armour or damage decreases. Fortunately, players can speed up the beginnings and endings of missions while they are over British soil. It always involves flying somewhere, taking photographs and/or dropping bombs or supplies, then hopefully getting back to the airbase. Objectives may vary, but Bomber Crew’s mission structure is essentially repetitious. The engineer is an expert in looking at dials As crew members level up they improve their primary skill set and eventually become able to cross-train in a secondary skill, allowing players to use more sophisticated deployment tactics and improving flexibility when things go wrong. Crew members also earn XP on missions from actions like destroying enemy planes, even if the mission is aborted. A more cynical approach is to use two armoured engines and two lightweight ones with the expectation that the flimsier engines will be wrecked during the mission. Players who are comfortable juggling rapid manoeuvring with managing other crew actions might opt instead for a lighter and deadlier build and try to mitigate the plane’s vulnerability by minimising time at low altitude. For example, heavy armour plating allows a plane to cruise through flak at low altitude while the player focuses on objectives, but a player using up their weight capacity with armour will be limited to using weaker guns. These choices have a significant impact on gameplay and require careful weighing of risks and benefits.
The game does a great job of pushing players to prioritise and make compromises that best fit the way they like to play. Intelligence points and money are required to unlock and buy gear and upgrades, and these are earned on missions for completing objectives, taking optional intelligence photographs and getting the plane back to the airbase.
BOMBER CREW UPDATE UPGRADE
From there they must assemble, equip and train their crew as well as upgrade the plane to improve its survivability and effectiveness. Players start out with a basic Avro Lancaster bomber and a selection of potential recruits. The typical white males of authentic 1940s RAF aircrews are joined in the recruiting pool by men and women of various ethnicities, all lined up to be judged by their stats and skill levels.
There is however one significant departure from historical accuracy, firmly aligning the game with the increased social equality and cultural diversity of the modern world.
Bomber Crew isn’t realistic but it is firmly rooted in reality, with missions based on real WWII operations and technology consistent with the time period. It is genuinely charming and lighthearted, but it is also a complex and challenging simulation that treats its subject matter with respect. At first glance Bomber Crew looks like it could be a game for children, with bright colours and a cartoonish art style.