Cyber-Wing is not really aimed at the popcappogo-word whomp crowd, nor at the sketchbook graphics stick figure goo indie crowd. This is a hardcore game with guns, tanks, robots, and explosions. (No insult intended)

Cyber-Wing is an action-strategy game where you take control of a transforming fighter jet and must command an army of units on a modern-style battlefield.

You build units like in a normal RTS, but you must fly over a base to pick them up and airdrop them into battle. Once deployed, you can pick up units and airlift them somewhere else, or you can broadcast orders to have them attack, retreat or stop.

This may seem like a novel approach but it is actually the same unit control scheme used in one of the first realtime strategy games, Herzog Zwei for the Genesis/MegaDrive as developed by TechnoSoft. While most subsequent RTS games removed the idea of a character you control, Cyber Wing brings it back.

The object of the game is to destroy your opponents HQ. However, in order to launch effective attacks on the enemy HQ you need the resources and position afforded by having closer bases, so capturing bases is the main part of the game.

To capture a base, you need to issue Infantry or Commandos attack orders and they must get to the base and hack into its computer systems. When 4 of them do this, the base will come under your control and you can now fuel and pick up units from it.

There are 8 units in Cyber-Wing, and each has a very specific role in the game. Skillful use of the units, well-practiced flying control and a keen sense of overall strategy in determining which bases to attack and defend is what creates a strong Cyber-Wing player.

Without further ado, the beta:

www.martianarctic.com/CyberWingBeta10.exe (250 MB)

. Visit www.cyber-wing.net for more details.