Lock On: Modern Air Combat

 PC
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Jul 26, 2005
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 553 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 383 out of 553
  2. Mixed: 72 out of 553
  3. Negative: 98 out of 553
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  1. Mike
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    The scope of the project and the depth of the game play makes it a remarkable combat flight sim. The game is playable out of the box, but not to the full potential. Depending on your specific hardware (not your horsepower but who makes it) you may or may not be able to play the game until it is patched. If you like flight serious sims and have more patients than the average person I would The scope of the project and the depth of the game play makes it a remarkable combat flight sim. The game is playable out of the box, but not to the full potential. Depending on your specific hardware (not your horsepower but who makes it) you may or may not be able to play the game until it is patched. If you like flight serious sims and have more patients than the average person I would get LOMAC. If you don't on either of the two conditions then wait and get it a few patches down the line. It's a rewarding game, but not easy to pick up unless you are determined to learn how to fly.… Expand
  2. Dutch
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    The only thing that is stopping me having a 10 is the simple fact that I still own a GeForce3 Ti500.
  3. FredM.
    Dec 17, 2003
    7
    Great visuals but lacks a printed manual that is really neded for the complexity of the game. I do not think that a person should have to pay to have the manual. Also I have a high end machine...the best of everything and the game play hiccups.
  4. LarsA
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    Best modern flight sim to date. I've played them all...started playing sims in 84'.
  5. JoeD.
    Dec 17, 2003
    8
    Remember all that the developers said that "Lock On was written for the next generation of computers" But it plays great and from what I understand is still being developed
  6. AlanA
    Dec 17, 2003
    8
    Can't fully enjoy all it has to offer yet on my older PIII system but what I've seen so far is awesome. This sim will be around for a long time.
  7. ChrisM>
    Dec 17, 2003
    7
    If you can get it to play smooth it is awesome. Will definately need patching though.......
  8. Mark
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    Very good, a few problems but the dev team is patching it as we speak. There's nothing like it around.
  9. MICHAELS.
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    Considering everything in the past, this one is the best so far. yes there are bugs, but it is a very complex game. easily fill up half a day of nothing but fun.
  10. WynH.
    Dec 17, 2003
    7
    This game needs optimizing. It's a little too little work for 2 years of waiting. Gotta wait for patch.
  11. KevinB.
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    Great game with a lot of replay value. There are definately some bugs they need to work out but I know its being worked on.
  12. IvanM.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    i love this game, even if it have come out before was totally finished.
  13. FelixE.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    Great Game!
  14. TomM.
    Dec 17, 2003
    8
    Okay, so it has some bugs, but I don't doubt for a moment that they'll be patched soon enough.
  15. JeffC.
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    Great potential.. Going ot be the standard which others are measured by in the really near future. A must have for the aviation simmer!
  16. ReggieF.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    Ok, a lot of complainers are upset because the game doesn't run smooth on their system. Everyone needs to keep in mind this game IS designed for high-end machines of the near future. This game is designed so in 2007 it will STILL be an amazing highly-detailed game. That's obvious. It's just ACCEPTABLE on a low-end machine (and yes P4 2.4ghz and slower are low-end machines Ok, a lot of complainers are upset because the game doesn't run smooth on their system. Everyone needs to keep in mind this game IS designed for high-end machines of the near future. This game is designed so in 2007 it will STILL be an amazing highly-detailed game. That's obvious. It's just ACCEPTABLE on a low-end machine (and yes P4 2.4ghz and slower are low-end machines from my point of view). This is an AMAZING game when it comes to it's purpose... A flight Simulator. It's VERY accurate when it comes to realism. Though it does have a few bugs (bugs that have a promised patch approaching), it is still WELL worth a 10. If you're going to JUDGE this game. Do it based on how well of a Simulator it is, It will win easily... Don't judge it based on a computer that isn't designed for such a powerful simulator.… Expand
  17. -325th-SixGun
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    Liking the game alot! It's a huge amont of fun especially when flying w/ all my friends online. It is a system hog, but I'm having VERY few issues w/ the game right now. It's only gonna get better. You better get a HOTAS!
  18. SteveG.
    Dec 17, 2003
    9
    A serious and ambitious flight/combat sim that meets almost all of my expectations. Problems - sure. System req. are high, but so were Falcon 4's and the bugs that do exist will surely be corrected with a patch or two. This is probably the last hurrah for the serious flight sim enthusiast for a long time and I can think of no better way to enjoy the coming sim drought than with LOMAC.
  19. GongZ.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    A perfect Flight-Sim
  20. GongZ.
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    A perfect Flight-Sim
  21. RichardS.
    Dec 18, 2003
    9
    I have given this game a 9/10 only because of a couple of bugs - which I hasten to add are been sorted out! Other than that I have to say that the graphics and game play that I have experienced are excellent, bordering on the phenomenal...
  22. CalogeroC.
    Dec 18, 2003
    8
    LOMAC has the potential to be part of the video game/simulation canon. I say "potential" because there are a few bugs to be worked out. Great inital effort though.
  23. RichC.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    Its awesome !!
  24. RobertC.
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    This is a game for the beefy PC but LOMAC alone was worth me plunking down a cool grand in upgrades. A masterpiece - plain and simple.
  25. GeeMan
    Dec 18, 2003
    9
    Has a few bugs but with a little tweaking it will be perfect! I love it!
  26. Aaron
    Dec 18, 2003
    8
    Overall, I have to say that I am impressed with this game thus far. Going into it, I was not expecting Falcon 4 or Janes F-18. When purchasing a survey sim, it is completely unreasonable expecting a dynamic campaign and having every radar mode modeled for every aircraft. Even study sims don't model avionics exactly. When looking at this game as a survey sim, the amount of detail is Overall, I have to say that I am impressed with this game thus far. Going into it, I was not expecting Falcon 4 or Janes F-18. When purchasing a survey sim, it is completely unreasonable expecting a dynamic campaign and having every radar mode modeled for every aircraft. Even study sims don't model avionics exactly. When looking at this game as a survey sim, the amount of detail is stunning. It is the first survey sim I have played that has truly unique avionics for each aircraft. Let me tell you this, I don't miss velocity search at all. In fact, I never use it in the sims that feature it. LOMAC gives you all the features you need to fulfill the missions. Now to the actual review. Starting with the campaign, it does what is expected well. What would have been beyond expectation is at least a branching campaign. That would add to the immersion factor. Perhaps one could be added on later in an update or expansion pack. The flight models seem believeable. I cannot swear to their authenticity since I am not a pilot myself. They seem at least on par with every other sim. In addition, they all differ in a believeable way from plane to plane. The one thing I did have a problem with is an easily corrected one. In fact I am sure it is being fixed as I type this. This issue is of course the F15 radar and air to air missles. I never though I would see myself selecting an AIM-7 over an AIM-120 during intermediate range engagements. Even with the Sparrow the engagements in my opinion are at near dogfighting range. The radar seems to be off a bit as well. However, all I have to do usually is climb to a higher altitude to pick up a bogey. I hope the developers just fix the problem and don't dumb the radar down. It would just be nice to be able to use it at altitudes below 4000 feet. That is the only real issue I had with the game. Alot of complaining seems to be going on about frame rates. Thinking back, I cannot remember a single flight sim that ran perfectly smooth with all the details on high or even medium. In fact, I get better initial performance out of LOMAC than I ever have with previous titles I own. Only within the last year and a half have I been able to run Falcon 4 and Janes f-18 at acceptable frame rates. F-18 was especially hard on the system I had at the time I purchased it...not to mention USNF. Even with the settings turned down to mid level, the graphics are stunning in LOMAC. A few things like the highest detailed water, anti aliasing, and heat blur will definitely bring the average system to its knees. LOMAC is the first sim I have seen to do trees correctly as well. I am also impressed they modeled the low smoke rocket motor of the AIM-120. So, for a quick recap, don't expect a dynamic campaign...its a survey sim for crying out loud, avionics details are good, weapon and radar performance need to be tweaked, and the graphics rock.… Expand
  27. ArthurK.
    Dec 19, 2003
    8
    + Very nice graphics Good mission editor Excellent flight model Slightly simplyfied but still very good avionics wounderful cocpits - no dynamic campaign some bugs (crashing in some situations) horrible hardware reqirements for high settings errors in the German version weapon texts bad tutorials no printed manual (only to buy separate)
  28. PatrikH.
    Dec 19, 2003
    10
    Excellent game, detailed graphics, correct modeling, realistic voice communication and a superb controlling system.
  29. MakahliaR.
    Dec 21, 2003
    9
    Very nice simulation. It has several problems but there is a patch that should be available soon. Despite the few minor problems I have encountered, this is one of the best jet sims I have ever played. It is detailed, complex, and very fun to play. I recommend it highly.
  30. JedP.
    Dec 22, 2003
    10
    A fantastic product. Even with the few bugs I have encountered, this is a keeper. Not for the weak minded console user or crybaby that does not know how to run a computer. Don't buy it if you can't figure out how to configure your system. If you love modern air combat and have half a brain, you MUST buy this product.
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best PC Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
66
#66 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. PC Format
    88
    Our favourite is the A-10 Warthog – cruising at 50 feet, on the prowl for enemy tanks, it’s one of the most exhilarating missions available in any recent simulator.
    Read full review
  2. Computer Gaming World
    70
    Detailed terrain, buildings, water, and effects lend an unprecedented feeling of speed to low-level flight. [March 2004, p.82]
  3. Gamer's Pulse
    70
    It has great graphics, fairly simple controls, great scenery, a decent choice of planes, and a great editor. Although the sounds easily get on your nerves, it will be the load times and need for a computer upgrade that will have you pulling your hair out.
    Read full review
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