Tools for this page
Print

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII

(2006, Video Games - Simulation, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 3)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    War aerial simulation hovers near average.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–16

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    While minor, each mission begins with some historical background information.
  • Messages:

    You are a soldier fighting in WWII.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    You can shoot down other planes or drop bombs on targets, such as tanks.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    While nothing too profane, some words may offend, such as "damn" and "hell."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know this World War II aerial combat simulation lets players shoot down enemy aircraft and drop bombs on bases and tanks. It's not graphic, but violence is the core game-play component. Parents may prefer the kind of war-based conflict in this game over games played from a more immersive and graphic first-person perspective, such as Call of Duty 3.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how the events presented in this game took place in real life during World War II, where millions of soldiers and innocent civilians lost their lives. Does playing this game make history seem more real and immediate? Is there a negative side to this type of entertainment -- can a game like this trivialize the memory of this war? Why or why not? What can we get out of the study of history? How can studying WWII help us in conflicts today?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII

What’s the Story?

Climb into the cockpit of more than 50 authentic World War II aircraft, including the famous P-51 Mustang and British Spitfire, in Ubisoft's BLAZING ANGELS: SQUADRONS OF WWII. You'll assume the role of an ace pilot who must take on the Germans and Japanese in missions in Berlin, London, the North African desert, and Hawaii. This PS3 version also includes two exclusive missions -- North Sea and New Georgia Island in the Pacific -- along with 11 new aircraft, such as the Boulton Paul Defiant and De Havilland Mosquito. Mission objectives vary, but most involve listening to a briefing, assigning orders to your squad mates, locking onto targets in the unfriendly skies, and of course, blasting the enemy into oblivion. Other missions involve taking photographs of activity on the ground or bombing runs. Supports up to 16 players in multiplayer modes.This PS3 version also contains a bonus squadron-based multiplayer game, dubbed Base Assault, not found in other versions of Blazing Angels. Close

Is It Any Good?

The gorgeous graphics suffer from poor frame rates, which cause the action to slow down whenever there are a lot of planes or tanks onscreen at the same time. This not only takes away from the suspension of disbelief, but those who shelled out up to $600 for a PS3 and its allegedly powerful Cell processor will probably be disappointed in the occasionally choppy performance.

Another problem is the somewhat repetitive and easy single-player missions. Despite the fact that you can play through more than 20 chapters in the main campaign -- and unlock three additional solo game modes -- the lack of variety in the objectives and simplified artificial intelligence mean you're likely to get bored after a couple of sittings. That said, war buffs or flight enthusiasts may want to get their wings by renting this PS3 game for the weekend.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/13/2006, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for violence, language)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 9 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    its awsome

    you fly,bome and,destroy

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great simulator

    This game is a great sim on the front of WWII like in Dunkirk, Pearl Harbor, Midway, Berlin, and London to name a few. It gives good historical information but your player is blowing up a LOT of enemy aircraft, but will no blood or gore and stuff like that.However, swearing is a small issue, with words like "Sneaky son of a b***h" or "what the h**l? They are shooting civilians!" or "son of a b***h is gonna pay" to name a few. Most of them are small and are the d word, b word, or another quote, "Dirty b*****ds. Lookit this.. Look at pearl harbor.." However very strong language is not named. All i have to say is its good historical entertainment, just make sure your kid wont swear.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in South Dakota
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Cool

    This is the best air-combat game I've played before, I usually try to stay away from this type of game in fact. But when I say the game demo, I had to try it. After I had tried that I was amazed at it, I just had to get it. Fight agaisnt jets, ships, and even zepplins in this action packed game.

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Fair

    Fun at first

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Fun

    I think you need to know your kid before deciding to let them play this. Make sure you look at this before you let your kid play. It's fun to have targets moving in the sky. It's sometimes challenging. Sometimes it can tell you some history. This is a fun game and I think it's a lot of fun.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name