CompuExpert announces that Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War has landed at North American stores, and the World War I aerial combat game is also available via digital distribution:

Lake Forest, CA - Jun 25, 2009 CompuExpert announced today that PC flight- simulation Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War, developed by Russian developer neoqb and published by 777 Studios, is now available throughout North America at traditional retail outlets, as well as via major online game retailers including GoGamer.com and Amazon.

Rise of Flight is the eagerly anticipated World War I PC flight-simulation title from Moscow-based developer neoqb. The flight simulator, set in the Western Front in 1917, was built on the newly developed Digital Nature engine. More than 125,000 square kilometers of the territory have been redrawn from 20th Century maps. Rise of Flight allows virtual pilots to fly the famous Spad XIII and deadly Fokker D.VII biplanes in exciting dogfight battles. Featuring advanced physics, flight and damage models, Rise of Flight promises a realistic, challenging and fun experience for simulation fans of all stripes and skill levels. Rise of Flight also implements full 6 DOF TrackIR support and is compatible with the TripleHead2Go multi-monitor system from Matrox.

Rise of Flight has already drawn praise from critics. IGN.com lauded the game's art and customizability, saying "amazing graphics, with loads of options to customize the experience for the best performance." World War I Air Combat said Rise of Flight, "the most realistic WWI flight sim, in many ways the most realistic flight sim yet released, is soon bound for the hands of eager virtual pilots everywhere." Rise of Flight includes a Training Campaign and Single Player missions so players can hone their aerial combat skills. Once they are ready, flyers can embark on a Pilot Career that includes six stages from lieutenant to colonel, and begin one of several campaigns with squadrons for the French, British, German or American air forces. Throughout their careers, players can win awards, commendations and promotions for successfully completing their missions.

Mission types in Rise of Flight include fighter sweeps, bomber escort, bomber interception, balloon attack and ground attack. If they wish, players can use the powerful Mission Builder to create custom scenarios of their own and share them with their friends.

Flight-sim enthusiasts can also play with their friends over the Internet and wage their own virtual air wars against rival online squadrons. Even the greatest of Aces in World War I had a wingman, and Rise of Flight multiplayer action focuses on cooperative teamwork and completion of mission goals. Whichever way you choose to play Rise of Flight, it will surely thrill and excite any simulation fan.

Planned additions to the Rise of Flight experience in the coming months include more flyable aircraft, scenery, objects and features. Hurry! Grab your goggles, leather helmet and silk scarf. Enemy planes are approaching!