I bought this because it's a classic that I spent a lot of time on when I was younger. It's a fun flight sim with a lot of missions to do.
- Some people might not be able to run this game properly on modern machines, but that's fixable with a little bit of registry editing, setting the correct settings (Like choosing Hardware TnL in options app), and downloading some extra missing files (link in comments).
- I highly recommend setting the control method to "E-mouse", with inverted Y-axis (Makes it behave like an FPS).

If anybody has any questions about how to get this game running, comment on my review your questions, and I might be able to help you with it. I'm running this on Windows 8.1, with x8 Anti aliasing at 1280x720@60 FPS and all settings maxed (Trying to figure out how to get 1080p, at the moment).

TL;DR If you ignore the outdated visuals and the hassle to get it properly set up the first time, this would be a fun flight sim for you.

Edit: Released an app that fixes issues with the game. http://steamcommunity.com/app/311100/discussions/0/1471966894873092057/

There I want to tell a lot about this great game.
Basically this is standalone addon for original Echelon game a futurstic action/VTOL-simulation set in same universe and period but from another character perspective. The game features decent flight model which makes you feel of flight and inertion, advanced damage model, a lot of detailed ground, naval and air units and buildings with their own damage models. There many types of aicrafts and weapons to choose. The game is unique by being realistic at some point Sci-Fi vtol sim. The game locations is large, the whole continent is featured here.
The story/campaign is good, long and even non linear at some places, the fully and nicely voiced dialogues (yeah with yelling commander etc.) also.
The graphics of original Echelon (2001) was next gen for it's time, but in WindWarriors not really much changes.
Game mechanics have a lot similarities to MechWarrior series just you control the aircraft there.
Sadly this game didn't got any sequels (forget about operation matriarchy) so the story is incomplete due publishers counted this type of games as not profitable.
There is campaign coop and nice multiplayer with gamemodes involving teamwork and just fun deathmach, the bad thing it was using Gamespy. (the russian comminity still run server, but it reqiure custom patches) Unlike most of harcore sim games this is easy to learn but hard to master, in multiplayer (really!). There more action than fight with controls of your machine.
I would recommend this game if you like open locations, Sci-Fi VTOL, atmoshpere (in both meanings, game take place only on planet) some hard missions to challenge your skills, epic and dynamic battles and unexpected turns of a plot.

It is as old as great. I enjoyed the gameplay many years ago, I enjoy it now. One of the most interesting features - the dialogs.

By the way, it launched on Windows 7 64x without any problems

One of the best combat flight simulators, which, suprisingly, was greatly inspired by the MechWarrior series. After a bit of registry tweaking, runs without problems in FullHD on modern hardware and Win10. This game provides quite unique and enjoyable experience and I can't even recall something similar in the genre.

Love this game, haven't played it in ages till I saw it on steam some time ago, bought it and boy does it bring back memories.

PITA to get to work, but thankfully many workarounds/guides on steam to get it going.
Let's be honest it is and older game, can't expect it to work on new OS right of the bat.

Controls take some getting used to, but give it time and you might fall in love with it.
Campaign missions are sometimes a bit quirky, if you seem to be stuck, nothing to do, might have to restart mission.

Overall a good game. One of may favourite oldies.

The modern gaming industry develops flight simulators with a new graphic component that pleases the eye of virtual pilots, they are delighted with the mechanics of aircraft control, somewhere there is, perhaps, an exciting plot ...
But no flight simulator can compare with this masterpiece, in which all of the above was developed back in 2004.
Despite all this, this game is absolutely unique, aircraft of completely different characteristics, from fighters to attack aircraft, interceptors and even a cargo ship.
I recommend it to fans of sci-fi, hardcore games, and just fans of dogfight.

An awesome classic. Shame gamespy is dead.

In its time this game was one of the funnest flight games around. Now it needs a patch to launch single player. Just Just leave your memories of this great game as it is, memories of the past.

I have rather mixed feelings about it, the main pleasant emotions consist of memories when I played it once upon a time. This is a very old game, I would say that it is ancient. Now for people who see it for the first time, I think there is no point in buying it and trying to love it.

I am 32 years old.

My ex-wife and I have a daughter together, and we adopted our son together. Both are now 4 years old.

When we were going through our separation, I felt lost and unhappy. I was self-destructive. One day, I was so angry with everything spiraling out of control that I punched a concrete wall in a moment of overwhelming emotion. This resulted in breaking my fifth metacarpal in my right hand—the hand I worked with, played games with, and used to carry my children to bed—the hand I desperately needed to ensure I could continue providing.

Upon learning the severity of the self-inflicted damage, I became almost suicidal. Keep in mind that just a few months before this, I was the happiest man, with no history of depression or anxiety. I had never experienced anger outbursts, nor was I the type to break down and cry, but I was in a tough situation that truly prevented me from seeing the light on the other side.

With nothing better to do, I looked for a game I could play WITH ONE HAND while recovering. Somehow, I stumbled upon this game and read some of the comments. I decided it was worth a try... I must admit I didn't beat the game, nor did I play as much as some of you. In fact, I may have played this game for only a day or two. That being said, after doing so, I had a new joy and hope for life. I managed to leave behind the pain and suffering that had been thrust upon me. I could experience the joy and happineass of other people. I relaxed for 5 ♥♥♥♥ minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.

After realizing this, I turned off the game and went back to work. My hand hurt a lot, but I was motivated. I stopped feeling so sorry for myself and became the father I needed to be at that moment, not the weak boy I was behaving like.

Today, I am close friends with the mother of my children. We don't fight, argue, or say hurtful things to each other. We are parents and friends.

Now I have 3 children. My third child is, wait, ALSO 4 YEARS OLD. The woman I am with was going through a very similar situation at the time of my separation, and we just unexpectedly stumbled into each other's lives. We have been dating for a year and are very happy together.

Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today. This silly little game helped me realize that.

Thank you.