Flying around in video games is sometimes not the best part of the title, as it tends to be awkward, or very difficult to control right off the bat. Even in flying simulators, games designed to actually teach you how to fly, in a few cases, the controls and understanding how to actually move in the air aren't always easy. Speaking from personal experience, controlling anything that is sky-bound is very annoying to handle.

Vector Thrust is something of a exception to this trend however, as it manages to make air-to-air acrobatics and dogfights entertaining in every mode it presents to the player. Of course, that doesn't mean you can bypass learning the controls.

Before all that however, you have to navigate the start menu. Having a variety of modes isn't a bad thing, as it gives you an idea of what the game's mechanics are capable of outside the main campaign. Less options, or a more logical bunching, is something that Vector Thrust could really benefit from, as the ten, six action based, menu options are slightly too overwhelming for a new pilot.

Rather strangely as well, there's no obvious tutorial mode or any way of training yourself before sitting in the hot seat. A freeplay setting where you could pilot a jet while receiving some informative advice would beyond helpful, mainly because Vector Thrust has controls that are just “good” at best.

But as it stands, you're forced to learn by simply playing. While not a bad decision to disclude an opening 'how to' guide, the player is left to their own devices, which can cause problems when you're in an intense gunfight that features at least four or more combatants who all want to see you burn.

Assuming most people will turn to the campaign first, you'll notice the art style. Because it's a bright mixture between the cel-shaded graphics from Borderlands and the high detail from something similar to Battlefield 3. The result is something fairly unique, as it gives the player an amazing view of jets fighting and the open world around you.

The story in Vector Thrust revolves around a post-apocalyptic Earth that has suffered a nuclear holocaust. There's more than one campaign though, after completing one, you have the option to extend your experience by playing another from an alternate perspective. In the first, you fill the boots of new pilot Ash as he makes his way over to the Kingdom, seemingly the last city and large military encampment in one.

When you inevitably tire of the campaign from time to time, turning your sights to the challenge modes in order to try unlock more jets to fly is probably the best path to take. As you play the game more and more, you'll gradually earn 'points' from completing missions and objectives which you can then use to purchase skins, jets and even weapons.

In order to unlock all two hundred and sixty aircraft, with forty five various models, you have to complete a specific trial before you can buy it. These trials range in difficulty depending on the family of jets you're accessing, as some have higher, better stats in exchange for being expensive with difficult trials.

Multiplay features on Vector Thrust aren't fully operational yet, likely due to server issues or something that can be simply fixed in a patch as well, but it's basically the same as the quick action and skirmish solo options. Aerial combat with your friends is something that the game promises but fails to deliver on, however, it could be just the copy and time I was playing it at.

As a fast paced, flying combat simulator Vector Thrust has some clearly obvious rough edges, but that's to be expected from a title of this size, which was only released a fortnight ago. In spite of these flaws, it proves itself to be a fun, engaging game that has oodles of playability and hours of brilliant action.