{{More citations needed|date=July 2009}} {{Short description|1997 video game}} {{Infobox video game |title = Red Baron II |image = Red Baron II cover.png |developer = Dynamix |publisher = Sierra On-Line |director = Tucker Hatfield |producer = Graeme Bayless |designer = Doug Johnson<br>Brian Apgar<br>Eric Lanz |programmer = Brian Apgar |artist = Douglas Brashear |engine = |platforms = Microsoft Windows |released = {{vgrelease|NA|December 16, 1997<ref name="release"/>|EU|1997}}'''''Red Baron 3D'''''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|October 29, 1998<ref>{{cite web |last=Hulsey |first=Joel |date=October 29, 1998 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/015/054/rb2.html |title=Red Baron 3D Lands In Retail Stores |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030710225317/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/015/054/rb2.html |archivedate=July 10, 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref>|EU|1998}} |genre = Combat flight simulator |modes = Single-player, multiplayer }} '''''Red Baron II''''' is a video game for the PC, developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line. It is the follow-up to the flight simulation ''Red Baron'', released in 1990. ''Red Baron II'' was released in December 1997.<ref name="release">{{cite web |date=December 16, 1997 |url=http://www.dynamix.com/pr/rb2-pr.html |title=The Red Baron Flies Again for the PC |website=Dynamix |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980627112357/http://www.dynamix.com/pr/rb2-pr.html |archivedate=June 27, 1998 |url-status=dead |accessdate=April 24, 2022}}</ref> A patch was released in 1998 that added support for 3D acceleration and renamed the game to '''''Red Baron 3D'''''.<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=August 25, 1998 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/08/25/sierra-fixes-plane-game |title=Sierra Fixes Plane Game |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=May 15, 2020}}</ref> ''Red Baron 3D'' was also released as a retail product.
==Gameplay== The game features four modes of play: Fly Now (a quick combat mode); Single Mission, which includes several missions and a mission generator to create new ones;<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_17/page/n87/mode/2up |title=NG Alphas: Red Baron II |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=17 |date=May 1996 |page=83 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> Campaign mode, which features one of the only truly dynamic campaigns in a modern flight simulator and which replicates combat on the Western Front of Europe from 1916 through 1918; and peer-to-peer online play.
The game features many German, British, and French combat aircraft of World War I, and features pseudo-realistic flight physics and mechanics such as weapon malfunction, flak, engine damage, and pilot injury.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | title = Red Baron II | align = left | GR = 65%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/12228-red-baron-ii/index.html |title=Red Baron II |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603195412/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/12228-red-baron-ii/index.html |archivedate=June 3, 2019 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | CNG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Falk |first=Hugh |date=January 27, 1998 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1447,00.html |title=Red Baron II |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816103340/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1447,00.html |archivedate=August 16, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | CGSP = 2/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Chick |first=Tom |year=1997 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/158/red_baron_2_review.html |title=Red Baron II |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040121065923/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/158/red_baron_2_review.html |archivedate=January 21, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | CGW = 3/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Robin G. |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_165.pdf |title=The Baron Flies Again (''Red Baron II'' Review) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=165 |date=April 1998 |pages=162–63 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | GameRev = A−<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Tom |date=December 1997 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32974-red-baron-ii-review |title=Red Baron II Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040218155006/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/flight/redbaron.htm |archivedate=February 18, 2004 |url-status=live |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | GSpot = 7.1/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Atkin |first=Denny |date=February 17, 1998 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-ii-review/1900-2532770/ |title=Red Baron II Review [date mislabeled as "May 5, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | GStar = 78%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Red Baron II |language=de |magazine=GameStar |publisher=Webedia |date=April 1998}}</ref> | NGen = 4/5<ref name=ngen40>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_40/page/n105/mode/2up |title=Red Baron II |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=40 |date=April 1998 |pages=104, 108 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | PCGUK = 53%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Evans |first=Dean |url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=964 |title=Red Baron 2 [sic] |magazine=PC Gamer UK |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=56 |date=May 1998 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001027231003/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=964 |archivedate=October 27, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 17, 2021}}</ref> | PCGUS = 59%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bennett |first=Dan |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/864.html |title=Red Baron II |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=5 |issue=4 |date=April 1998 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000118080800/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/864.html |archivedate=January 18, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | PCPP = 92%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Argy |first=George |url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-023-1998-04/page/n61/mode/2up |title=Red Baron II |magazine=PC PowerPlay |publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd |issue=23 |date=April 1998 |pages=62–64 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | PCZone = 60%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Presley |first=Paul |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_63_May_1998/page/n91/mode/2up |title=Red Baron II |magazine=PC Zone |publisher=Dennis Publishing |issue=63 |date=May 1998 |pages=92–93 |accessdate=November 17, 2021}}</ref> }}
''Red Baron II'' received above-average reviews. ''Next Generation'' called it "a fine addition to the series, and despite small, technical shortcomings, it establishes itself as one of the most entertaining flight experiences on the market today."<ref name=ngen40/>
The game was nominated for the "Best Sim Game" award at the ''CNET Gamecenter'' Awards for 1997, which went to ''Jane's Longbow 2''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gamecenter staff |date=January 28, 1998 |url=http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss09a.html |title=The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Sims, Part 2) |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000928231623/http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss09a.html |archivedate=September 28, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
In 2004, the staff of ''Computer Gaming World'' nominated the game's ''Full Canvas Jacket'' mod for their 2003 "Flight Simulation of the Year" award, which ultimately went to ''Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight''.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=CGW staff |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf |title=Computer Gaming World's 2003 Games of the Year (Flight Simulation of the Year) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=236 |date=March 2004 |page=63 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Coupon== Some copies of the game included a coupon for 75 cents off a 12-inch Red Baron pizza. In 2014, YouTube user Clint Basinger of Lazy Game Reviews found the coupon bundled in with the game and, after finding out the coupon had no expiration date, took the coupon to a Food Lion and bought himself a Red Baron pizza with the coupon.<ref>{{cite web |last=Owen |first=Phil |date=March 9, 2014 |url=https://kotaku.com/man-uses-17-year-old-coupon-for-frozen-pizza-bundled-wi-1539878046 |title=Man Uses 17-Year-Old Coupon for Frozen Pizza Bundled With PC Game |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media}}</ref>
==''Red Baron 3D''== Red Baron 3D is a patch for Red Baron II which improves graphics and mechanics of the game and gives full multiplayer support. Red Baron 3D features 22 different flyable World War I aircraft, along with 18 other types flown by AI pilots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Red Baron 3D Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Reception=== {{Video game reviews | title = Red Baron 3D | Allgame = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=House |first=Michael L. |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17656&tab=review |title=Red Baron 3-D - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116011345/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=17656&tab=review |archivedate=November 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | CGW = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kim |first=Robin G. |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_175.pdf |title=3D's the Charm (''Red Baron 3D'' Review) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=175 |date=February 1999 |page=200 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | GSpot = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Atkin |first=Denny |date=November 25, 1998 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/ |title=Red Baron 3D Review [date mislabeled as "May 5, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | GStar = 78%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Red Baron 3D |language=de |magazine=GameStar |publisher=Webedia |date=January 1999}}</ref> | JXV = 15/20<ref>{{cite web |author=lightman |date=March 2, 1999 |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000257_test.htm |title=Test: Red Baron 3D |language=fr |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |accessdate=November 17, 2021}}</ref> | NGen = 4/5<ref name=ngen50>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_50/page/n105/mode/2up |title=Red Baron 3D |magazine=Next Generation |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=50 |date=February 1999 |page=105 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | PCPP = 87%<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Brett |url=https://archive.org/details/PCPowerplay-034-1999-03/page/n93/mode/2up |title=Red Baron 3D |magazine=PC PowerPlay |publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd |issue=34 |date=March 1999 |pages=94–95 |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> | rev1 = ''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' | rev1Score = 3.5/4<ref>{{cite news |last=Hopper |first=D. Ian |year=1999 |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/hopper/redbaron.html |title=Dynamix makes good |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |publisher=Gannett Company |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010428145351/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/hopper/redbaron.html |archivedate=April 28, 2001 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref> }}
''Red Baron 3D'' received more favorable reviews than ''Red Baron II''. ''Next Generation'' said of the game, "If you've ever hankered to climb into an open cockpit and do battle with the early knights of the sky, this is your baby. All you need is a leather helmet, a pair of goggles, and a white silk scarf."<ref name=ngen50/>
The single-player campaign of Red Baron 3D received particular acclaim, with critics commending the game's realistic portrayal of aerial combat and the various missions players were tasked with completing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grabham |first=Dan |date=2021-08-31 |title=Gaming Greats – Red Baron 3D (1998) |url=https://www.stuff.tv/news/gaming-greats-red-baron-3d-1998/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Stuff |language=en-US}}</ref> The game's AI was also noted as being challenging and unpredictable, keeping players engaged and on their toes throughout the campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Red Baron 3D Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/red-baron-3d-review/1900-2532771/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>
The game was nominated for "Simulation of the Year" at ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best & Worst of 1998 Awards, which went to ''European Air War''.<ref>{{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |year=1999 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/genre6.html |title=The Best & Worst of 1998 (Simulation of the Year - Nominees) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001003072542/http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/genre6.html |archivedate=October 3, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/19990202063912/http://www.sierra.com/dynamix/rb3d/ Official ''Red Baron 3-D'' website] via Internet Archive *{{moby game|id=/windows/red-baron-ii}} *{{moby game|id=/windows/red-baron-3-d|name=''Red Baron 3D''}}
{{Sierra Simulator Games}} {{Dynamix}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Baron Ii}} Category:1997 video games Category:Combat flight simulators Category:Dynamix games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Sierra Entertainment games Category:Sequel video games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Windows games Category:Windows-only games Category:World War I flight simulation video games Category:World War I video games