View source for F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0
| image = Night Hawk - F-117A Stealth Fighter 2.0.png
| developer = [[MPS Labs]]<br>[[Retroism]] (PC)
| publisher = [[MicroProse]]<br>[[Nightdive Studios]] (PC)
| designer = [[Jeff Briggs]]
| programmer = Ed Fletcher <br/> Joe Hellesen <br/> [[Andy Hollis]]
| composer = Jeff Briggs <small>(PC)</small>
| released = {{collapsible list|title=1991|'''MS-DOS'''{{vgrelease|NA|1991}}'''Amiga'''{{vgrelease|NA|1993|EU|1993}}'''Mac OS'''{{vgrelease|NA|1994}}}}
| genre = [[Flight simulator]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Amiga]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Mac OS]], [[PC-98]]
}}
'''''F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0''''' is the 1991 [[Video game remake|remake]] of the 1988-1990 [[Cold War]] [[combat flight simulator]] video game ''[[F-19 Stealth Fighter]]'' by [[MicroProse]], itself a remake of 1987's ''[[Project Stealth Fighter]]''. The original PC version was updated with a corrected aircraft model once the [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk]] was declassified and with 256-color [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] graphics instead of the original's 16-color [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]], among other changes.
==Gameplay==
[[File:F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0 screenshot.png|thumb|left|A day mission ([[Multi-Color Graphics Array|MCGA]]/[[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] mode).]]
The F-19 of the original game, which was published before the real fighter's specifications became public, carries weapons in four weapons bays. Given that the real stealth fighter's payload capacity falls short of that offered in ''F-19'', the sequel gives players the choice of aircraft: a "realistic" model carrying weapons in only two payload bays, or a variant retaining the four bays of the plane of the first game. In the PC version, both models of fighter resemble the F-117.
The new game introduces new theatres of warfare, such as [[Cuba]] and [[Operation Desert Storm]] (in the wake of the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]], the [[Iraq]]is are no longer the allied nation that they had been in the previous game). Missions typically encompass both primary and secondary targets, selected from a variety of objectives from photographing facilities (one selected weapon would have to be a high resolution camera) to bombing various ground targets. An advanced flight plan editing routine allows it to adjust waypoints to successfully skirt pulse and Doppler ground radar sites; the default flight plan will often take the plane's track into areas where it can be detected. Missions start on the runway of the originating base and end with the pilot successfully landing at the recovery base. A "time compression" feature allows the player to speed up the clock during missions.
An improved 3D object rendering system, and 256-color graphics, provide improved target viewing on a remote camera view in the cockpit. Likewise, the player can change viewing angles around the plane, outside the plane, and even reverse target view to see the aircraft passing overhead from the position of the target. This last can also be performed from the vantage point of patrolling enemy fighters.
The game's missions have the player flying at a low altitude, though the actual F-117 mission profile involved launching weapons from high altitude. In keeping with the "stealth" nature of the game, most missions are during nighttime, though a cheat command allows the player to switch the mission to daytime.
Points per mission are awarded for success or failure, as well as radar and visual detection, and identification by enemy installations and aircraft. High scores are naturally awarded for entering enemy airspace, accomplishing the primary and secondary mission objectives, and departing, all without being detected by the enemy. The game's manual includes in-depth discussion of types of radar detection and how to avoid it, called "threading the needle".
==Release==
Originally released for the PC [[DOS]] in 1991, the game was ported to the [[Amiga]], [[Macintosh]] and [[PC-98]] in 1993–1994. Its 3D engine was also optimised and used to create the graphics for ''[[Task Force 1942|Task Force 1942: Surface Naval Action in the Pacific]]'' in 1992.
[[Tommo]] purchased the rights to this game and digitally publishes it through its Retroism brand in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://docs.bmcgroup.com/Atari/nysb_1-13-bk-10176_313.pdf |title=Purchase Agreement between Atari, Inc. and Rebellion Developments, Stardock & Tommo |date=2013-07-22 |access-date= |website= |publisher=BMC Group |last= |first= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173012/http://docs.bmcgroup.com/Atari/nysb_1-13-bk-10176_313.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> In October 2014, the game was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]], developed by [[Retroism]] and published by [[Nightdive Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://store.steampowered.com/app/328920|title = F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0 on Steam|author = |date = |publisher =}}</ref>
==Reception==
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in 1991 called ''F-117A'' as engrossing, challenging and educational simulation game.<ref name="cadman199112">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1991&pub=2&id=89 | title=Good Night, Sweet Hawk | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=December 1991 | access-date=18 November 2013 | last=Cadman | first=Dana L. | pages=46, 48 | issue=89}}</ref> A 1992 survey in the magazine of wargames with modern settings gave the game four stars out of five,<ref name="brooks199206">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=95 | title=The Modern Games: 1950 - 2000 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=June 1992 | access-date=24 November 2013 | author=Brooks, M. Evan | pages=120}}</ref> and a 1994 survey gave it three-plus stars.<ref name="brooks199401">{{Cite magazine |last=Brooks |first=M. Evan |date=January 1994 |title=War In Our Time / A Survey Of Wargames From 1950-2000 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=194–212}}</ref> The game received the rating of 93% by ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'',<ref>''Computer and Video Games'' #119 (October 1991)</ref> and scored 92% from ''[[Amiga Format]]''. Most of other reviews were less enthusiastic, but usually with the ratings still over 80%.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/f-117a-nighthawk-stealth-fighter-20|name=''F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0''}}
* [https://amiga.abime.net/games/view/nighthawk-f-117a-stealth-fighter-20 ''F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter 2.0''] at the Hall of Light
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Cold War video games]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Games commercially released with DOSBox]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MicroProse games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-9801 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Tommo games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jeff Briggs]]
[[Category:Video games set in Cuba]]
[[Category:Video games set in Iran]]
[[Category:Video games set in Iraq]]
[[Category:Video games set in Libya]]
[[Category:Video games set in North Korea]]
[[Category:Video games set in Syria]]
[[Category:Video games set in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Video games set in Vietnam]]