Shoot down DS air pirates in Freedom Wings

Simplistic as it sounds, in the 1920s it was thought that the more rebellious tribes of an Empire could be controlled with minimum hassle by occupying forces, thanks to the handy invention of air power.

The latest DS combat flight sim doesn't quite hit such heights of heady naivety, but the back story of Freedom Wings does sound like something out of the League of Nations handbook:

"It was the age of aircraft. Some flew for adventure. Some flew for wealth. For whatever the reason many took to the air. And there were those that used aircraft to prey upon them... The government had to put a stop to these evil pirates. They selected the world's top pilots and set up the Air Patrol Association in hopes of making the skies safe once again."

At least the tricky issue of separating the goodies and baddies is neatly set up, providing a level playing field for you to take to the skies and wipe out all enemy aircraft – after all, they're pirates – as well as whatever assorted ships and ground targets you come across.

Perhaps more interesting than the plot though is the way gamemaker Natsume – better known for farming sim Harvest Moon – has made full use of the DS' touchscreen, with a completely manual touch control method. An artificial intelligence controlled system with combat auto lock-on also offers assistance until you get the hang of flicking your stylus to perform your dutchs roll or hammerhead stall turns.

Other game features include a hanger-worth of propeller-era plane types – we've already spotted the Grumman TBF Avenger, obscure Soviet fighter the Polikarpov I-16 and that old favourite the North American P-51 Mustang – for you purchase as you progress through the missions and sub-missions, as well as weapons upgrades and go-faster stripes. And four anti-pirating aces will be able to go head-to-head in DS multiplayer dog-fights.

Now the air and making the long crossing from Japanese to Sheffield, Freedom Wings is due to land in UK shops in January.