Those who enjoyed the first AeroWings, should find this sequel both familiar and satisfying. All those difficult training missions are back, though this time they are designed to teach you basic and advanced maneuvers to be used while dog fighting. Some of the more common flight maneuvers as found in the original AeroWings are still taught, such as the split-S or reverse loop, and there is still a portion of the training dedicated to flying in formation with another pilot. Before taking on any real missions, playing through the training mode is more or less a prerequisite. AeroWings 2 takes the training missions very seriously, as even a slight miscalculation of angle, speed or g-force can cause you to fail the tests. An instructor walks you through the maneuvers before each training mission, and he also grades you (and frequently scolds you) afterwards. In order to move on, and earn more advanced aircraft, you must complete and pass each test. The Training Mode's sometimes difficult missions can definitely drive you up the wall on occasion, but after enough practice, the frustration lessens to a degree. Afterwards, however, you feel as though you have actually learned something about piloting a fighter plane.

Besides the lengthy and detail oriented training and fighter pilot missions, AeroWings 2 contains a Tactical Challenge mode in which you can take part in 15 flight competitions. This is where you really put all that training to the test. A Free Flight mode, and a 2 player VS Dog fighting mode, both of which allow you to choose from the available aircraft and flight areas, are also included. The 4 modes, along with the replay theater and personal flight data, seem to be just enough to keep the game interesting.

Visually, AeroWings 2 looks quite similar to the original, which isn't a bad thing. The framerate is always silky smooth and there is not a bit of pop-up or clipping to be found anywhere. The textures are of a pretty good quality, especially for a flight sim, and the lighting and shading is excellent. More and even better weather and time-of-day effects such as snow, rain, fog, dawn and dusk has also been added to the sequel, and it is appreciated. The aircraft models are really well done, in both texture and polygon usage.

Fans of the original AeroWings will definitely love AeroWings 2: Air Strike. It takes what was found in the first game to a higher level, while still retaining a comfortable level of sim-like elements. If you always wanted to get your feet wet with a sim, either flight or combat, AeroWings 2 should be one of your first choices.