There's something about combat flight sims that keeps me coming back time and again. Maybe it's the great graphics and engrossing storyline of Origin's Wing Commander series; perhaps it's the ability to play out your "Star Wars" pilot fantasies in LucasArts' X-Wing and Tie Fighter games. Or maybe it's the sneaky strike planning of Microprose's F117A Stealth Fighter or the dogfighting madness of Dynamix's Red Baron. Keeping these elements in mind, Bethesda Softworks present the newest entry in a genre rich in history and tradition: Echelon.

Created by the Russian-based Buka Entertainment (and totally unrelated to the 1988 Access Software title), Echelon is a traditional surface-based combat flight sim with a sci-fi twist. The game takes place in a technologically-advanced future: In the middle of the 22nd century, the Galaxy Empire goes through a brutal civil war. After the civil war ends, the Empire becomes the Galaxy Federation, and a 150 year period of peaceful planetary colonization begins throughout the galaxy. Then, in 2320, humans make first contact with an alien race known as the Velians, who turn out to be genetically-modified versions of human colonists from hundreds of years before who were exposed to alien technology.

As a result of the contact, the Velians make a treaty with the Federation and offer their Zero-Transport technology -- interstellar gateways that allow spaceships to travel great distances. The Federation embraces this technology and soon begins to heavily rely on its use. Unfortunately, the Federation soon lets down its guard and 30 years later, the Velians capture all its Zero-T stations. The aliens then launch a sneak attack, using the Zero-Ts to conquer new territory. The Federation fights back, however, and that's where you come in.

You are the newest recruit in the Federation's planetary defense force. Throughout your campaign, you are given opportunities to train, move up in rank, fly 13 of the latest fighters, interceptors and heavy attack aircraft, and even win a few medals along the way. All the action takes place over a world filled with vast canyons, lakes and military bases.

Echelon offers two unique flight models to appeal to different flying fans. The fighter craft employ a series of hovering engines that enable the craft to act like a helicopter, complete with skidding and floating capabilities that make them very maneuverable dogfighters. The faster and somewhat heavier armed interceptors and heavy attack aircraft have a more traditional flight style, with slower banking turns and rudder-based yaw. Both types of craft play a critical role in the single-player missions, and all are accessible during instant action and multiplayer melees.