Remember PilotWings? I sure do. Nintendo introduced this exciting activity sim back on the SNES and continued to push it forward with sequels for years. Alas, it’s gone by the wayside, though players can still experience its glory with Nintendo Switch Online. With that, Z-Axis has decided to bring back their own twist on the formula with Pilot Sports.
Essentially their take on PilotWings 64, the game features a variety of activities taking place on an island. This includes parachuting, hang gliding, rocket pack flying and more. The game features over 50 different challenges to take on, and also gives you the option to play locally with up to four people.
The problem is, however, is that it plays it too safe. This is all-too-familiar territory, and Pilot Sports makes no attempt to break apart. It’s just “hey, I’m like PilotWings” without anything to set it apart. It does have some fun involved, but we’ve seen it before – and done better. What’s worse, there’s barely any challenge to it. Dedicated players will breeze through everything within a matter of hours, if that.
The effort is noble, and the visual presentation isn’t bad. But Pilot Sports is held back by its own lack of innovation, especially with the music and event types. It just barely glides by instead of turning into something exhilarating. It’s like trying to take a hang glider ride around your backyard.
Pilot Sports Brings the Activities, But Not Enough of Them
There are over 50 different activities included in Pilot Sports, revolving around earning medals. The better you do, the higher the medal you earl – gold, silver and bronze. Obviously the gold is the standard here, though the game offers you little reason to get them all. Not even a Godzilla type monster to destroy the island, man!
The activities aren’t bad, but they’re flawed. The main ones I have a problem with are the hang gliding and the biplane (replacing the gyrocopter from PilotWings). They control pretty badly, and I barely made my way to flying through rings – even though they were right in front of me. The other types of stages aren’t bad, with the rocket pack ones being the most engaging.
And the game does introduce an interesting competitive wrinkle with four-player local co-op. You can race against friends to see who’s the best in each activity. Alas, it does get old pretty fast, and, again, it lacks long-term rewards to keep coming back. That’s something that PilotWings was able to nail down beautifully.
Not to mention the game is lacking in any type of personality. It does introduce quirky characters, but doesn’t do anything to make them stand apart. No back story, no humorous quotes, just “here, complete this goal with pilot A.” This game was in hearty need of a personal touch.
The price point isn’t bad, and it is good to see a game of this type on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (along with Nintendo Switch). But Pilot Sports, in the long haul, just comes off as lacking. There’s nothing to keep you driving forward for medals, and a few of the activities leave something to be desired. And playing it straightforward without even a hint of personality didn’t help either. It just goes onward.
The Visuals Are Nice, But the Music? Not So Much
Z-Axis did a great job with Pilot Sports’ visuals. The island itself is huge and filled with activities, and is pleasant to look at. The animations are nicely captured as well, emulating the real-life things they’re based on. The frame rate is also surprisingly smooth, particularly on PS5. It’s not an amazing looking effort, but it is polished and pleasing for the eyes.
However, I can’t say the same for your ears when it comes to music. It just…grates. I know that the developers were going for a PilotWings approach with the soundtrack. But it offers nothing outside of bland elevator muzak, in a sense. What I wouldn’t have given for the ability to choose my own style of music.
Also, there’s zero voicework, so you can’t distinguish some characters from others. On top of that, the sound effects are absolutely minimal. Like, even when you fail your objectives, there’s nothing that stands out compared to your winning run.
Pilot Sports Has Great Ideas, But Can’t Land Them
In the end, I was disappointed in Pilot Sports. Again, I’m fond of the idea of bringing the PilotWings style of play to other platforms. However, it could’ve used more effort.
The gameplay is average at best (and frustrating in spots), and there’s no real motivation to collect every medal. On top of that, the local multiplayer runs out of steam fast, and the soundtrack is best left turned off.
It might be a cheap flying thrill for some, but Pilot Sports could’ve been so much more. Alas, it just leaves me wanting the return of PilotWings even more.
GAMERHUB RATING: 2 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Wild River for the review code! You can play Pilot Sports now on Nintendo Switch, Steam and PlayStation!
Need more blasts from the past? Check out our review of Snow Bros. 2 Special!
