I don’t think there’s been a franchise that has seen expansion over the years like Warhammer has. Between strategy games, all-out brawls (Dark Tide) and inspired entries (like Boltgun), it’s really taken off with both the fanbase and newcomers that are curious about, well, all the Orks.
Now we have Dakka Squadron, the franchise’s take on Top Gun. That’s not to say we’re going to confuse an Ork with Tom Cruise anytime soon, but it does give them the chance to be flyboys.
While it’s not as polished as any of the Ace Combat games, it works in its own right. Look past the somewhat grainy visuals and you’ll find a fun, hilarious aerial shooter that’ll keep you busy for a good while. Not to mention unlocking some new beasts to fly the unfriendly skies with.
An Ork Can, Indeed, Fly
After a brief tutorial that gives you a rundown of what to expect in terms of gameplay mechanics, you’re sent off and running through a campaign mode, where you’ll blast enemies out of the sky and on the ground as you show your Ork dominance with your squad.
The story’s a bit flimsy, but does hold together well enough for each new stage that comes along. Not to mention that the dialogue throughout has a humorous approach, compared to the tone of the other super-serious titles on the market. Sometimes you just need to loosen up with Ork bros.
The flying mechanics handle very well here, complete with tight turns (which take some practice) and handling your weapons. You can also unlock new games as the game goes on, along with additional skills and attributes. You can feel these differences too, even if the general “shoot them out of existence” rules remain mostly the same. There are customization options as well, in case you ever wanted to create the plane of your dreams (or nightmares).
Along with difficulty settings and other little things, Dakka Squadron will keep you flying action types busy for a while. I just wish there was some sort of online component, so you could talk Ork trash to each other. Perhaps we’ll see it in a follow-up, which would be great.
There’s Grain On This Plane
Dakka Squadron’s journey to the Nintendo Switch is effective, if not entirely smooth.
I played the Steam version recently and it looks nice, with a solid frame rate and lots of details that go on for what seems like miles. Most of this is captured in the Switch version, though there’s definitely a bit of grain, along with a dip in frame rate. It’s still manageable and looks pretty good, but if you’ve played the PC version, be prepared for the downgrade.
Backing up the game’s visuals are some pretty good tunes to keep you motivated (not amazing, but serviceable for your flying needs), and the Ork voices are hilarious, even though there are occasional lines that could use better translation. But hey, who am I to complain to a goblin with a pilot’s license?
Fly the Unfriendly Skies
More could’ve been done with Dakka Squadron to turn it into an instant classic, like the addition of competitive multiplayer or better visual fidelity options. But as it stands, it’s another innovative entry in a well-growing franchise, with a good sense of humor to boot. Plus it’s just plain fun to blast things out of the air.
The quintessential Switch flying experience it isn’t, but we’ll be damned if Dakka Squadron isn’t a good deal of fun. “WAAGH!” to my brothers in green!
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to our friends at Red Deer Games for the review code!
