Taito launches details on World Airforce

At the recent Xbox Summit 2005 in Tokyo, Japan, several Japanese publishers announced their support for the Microsoft Xbox 360. One of the publishers was Taito, which revealed that its contribution to Microsoft's next-generation console will be World Airforce. The first details on the game have been unveiled courtesy of the latest issue of Famitsu.

As the game's title suggests, World Airforce is the latest installment in Taito's Energy Airforce air-combat game series. Like previous series installments, the game features real military aircrafts, from makers such as Lockheed and Boeing. Images in Famitsu show what seems to be an F-15 Eagle and an F/A-22 Raptor.

The game will take advantage of the 360's specs and feature high-quality aircraft models and "photo-realistic" backgrounds. The developer has taken extra pains to get even subtle details down. For example, the player will be able to see the vibration in the air when a teammate's jet flies by. Taito is also putting effort into the cockpit view of World Airforce, and it's reproducing the authentic looks from real aircraft, including HUDs and various meters.

In terms of gameplay, the player assumes the role of a fighter pilot and takes on missions throughout the world. The player begins each stage with a briefing and then selects a plane and armament. Enemies won't only come in the form of aircraft, as ground and sea targets will also need to be detroyed.

According to Famitsu, World Airforce is currently 15 percent complete. No release date has been announced for the game yet.