The F/A-18 Hornet is one of America's most capable aircraft, designed to excel at both ground attacks and air-to-air combat. Now anyone with a PC can experience the versatility of these birds firsthand with the F/A-18. F/A-18s operate from carriers, and the simulation brings this demanding environment to life. With all the realism options enabled, carrier landings many times proved more dangerous and exciting than the combat missions from which we were returning. Newcomers can turn down all of the realism settings for some quick action, but seasoned sim jockeys will love the game's attention to detail when all the bells and whistles are enabled. The fully functional cockpit is almost a game in itself, considering it simulates most of the real aircraft's radar modes, navigation modes, and other critical-information displays. This is one of those games where every key on the keyboard corresponds to some function within the simulation, and you'll have to learn them all if you want to get the most out of F/A-18.