F-15 Strike Eagle II
Released: 1989
Published by: MicroProse Software, Inc.
Developed by: MPS Labs, Inc.
Author(s):
Sid Meier, Andy Hollis, Michael Haire, Murray Taylor, Ken Lagace, Jim McConkey, Bruce Shelley, Max Remington III.
Screenshots from original game in VGA
Screenshots from original game in EGA
Operation Desert Storm Add-On Disk, showing the new theatres and missions, as well as night-time modes
System Requirements
| System Requirements | 8088 or 8086 and compatibles. 384K RAM required. DOS 2.0-3.3 (DOS 4.0 and above require a patch). Hercules monochrome/CGA/Tandy 1000/EGA/MCGA/VGA graphics supported. Audio support is PC speaker, Tandy/PC Jr, Ad Lib, or Roland MT-32 (with patch). Joystick optional (and recommended). |
|---|---|
| Original Media | Two 5.25" 360 KB (DD) disks or one 3.5" 720 KB (DD) floppy disk. In 1994, the title was re-released on budget label "Kixx", which came on a CD-ROM. |
| Installed Size | 622 KB |
Introduction
F-15 Strike Eagle II was the successor to MicroProse's much earlier F-15 Strike Eagle from 1985, although the game has much more in common with F-19 Stealth Fighter, which was released a year earlier. Both games use the same flight simulator engine, but in F-15 SE2, this has been enhanced with 256-colour graphics. There are four different theatres of war and now 11 camera angles including a few extra "Director's Mode" ones like seeing SAM sites launch missiles, and a view from your missile as it heads toward its destination.
This time around, MicroProse focussed on entertainment value, and less on making this a simulation (there is no keyboard overlay provided with F-15 SE2, like there was with F-19). So on the one hand, it's a little arcade-like which makes it very fun and accessible but on the other it lacks the depth and longevity that you might get from a 'serious' flight simulator.
Other sims that came out the same year include Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 and A-10 Tank Killer.
A year later we got F-29 Retaliator (Ocean) and LHX Attack Chopper (Electronic Arts).
"F-15 Strike Eagle II has very low system requirements, but I would still recommend a 386 CPU (one of any speed) with 1 MB of memory. Any VGA graphics card is good - the game will run at a maximum resolution of 320x200 in 256 colours. As with most titles, the best version to play is the last one that was released: v451.02 - but do also install the Expansion Disk (v451.03) which adds 3 more theatres of war including night missions and Roland MT-32 audio. For audio I recommend you play the game in Roland MT-32 mode on an MT-32 "old". To top it off, use a decent analogue joystick - the keys are ok but you will be more accurate and it will feel more immersive with a joystick."
From where can it be run?
The game can be run from the original floppy disks or installed to hard disk which is recommended.
For installation to your hard disk, you can either use the DOS COPY command or use the provided INSTALL program which is on disk "A". This INSTALL program can also be used to create a backup floppy disk (3.5" 1.44 MB floppy) of the original.
To run the game, execute F15.COM with or without command-line options.
Game Audio/Video
Ad Lib (emulated) Intro |
The first mission in the Persian Gulf on Rookie difficulty level. |
Copy Protection
On the 5.25" floppy version, the first disk was a key disk which used an odd number of bytes on several sectors on tracks 38 and 39. I am not sure if the 3.5" 720 KB version was also a key disk, but it is unlikely.
How to Setup
The game does not come with a setup program. Instead, simply running the F15.COM file to start the game automatically takes you through some setup options each time. You are prompted for the following:
1) Joystick:
2) Select graphics mode::
3) Select sound driver:
All settings can also be specified as direct command-line arguments when you run F15.COM, as follows:
/J - use joystick
/NJ - use keyboard only
/GM - MCGA/VGA graphics
/GE - EGA graphics
/GC - CGA graphics
/GT - Tandy 1000 graphics
/GH - Hercules monochrome graphics
/D2 - Exceptional ground detail (for very fast machines)
/D1 - Moderate ground detail (for AT-class machines) - this is the default setting if you don't use any /D command-line argument.
/D0 - Very little ground detail (for slow machines)
/AI - IBM sound (PC speaker)
/AA - Ad Lib sound
/AN - No sound
/AR - Roland MT-32 sound (only if you have
installed the update - see further down)
/AT - Tandy 1000 sound
For example, to run F-15 SE2 on your PC/XT with CGA graphics and no joystick, run:
F15 /NJ /GC /D0.
To run F-15 SE2 on your 80286 PC with EGA graphics and a joystick, running with default ground detail, run:
F15 /J /GE
If you don't provide a command-line argument for joystick you will still be prompted for a decision when starting up the game. If you choose Joystick = Y, you will be asked to center the joystick to calibrate it for the game.
To abort the setup/game startup and return to the command prompt, press CTRL-C, or if you are in joystick calibration mode, press CTRL-BREAK.
Whilst there is no Roland Sound option in the original game, MPS Labs later released updated sound drivers to allow many of their older games (F-15 SE2 included!) to work with the Roland MT-32. The file that contains these drivers, MPSROL.ZIP, can be downloaded here. The README file within the archive contains instructions on what files to put where. Once the patch is installed, run the game with "F15 /AR". Roland sound works with a game port MIDI cable connected between your Roland MT-32 and sound card's Game/MIDI port (so it does not require an "Intelligent" mode interface such as the MFC-IPC or equivalent).
The game doesn't require any extended memory (XMS) or expanded memory (EMS) drivers to be loaded, and runs quite happily in DOS with just 532 KB of free conventional memory.
Problems
Symptom: Game crashes / system reboots when you start a mission.
Cause: Your system is too fast.
Resolution: Disable either internal and external caches (or both) via the BIOS. If possible, bring the speed down to the equivalent of a 486SX-25, and the game should then start properly.
Symptom: "No Adlib board present in system" message appears on startup.
Cause: MicroProse's original Ad Lib audio driver file fails to work properly on faster systems (486DX2-66 and up).
Resolution: Download and install the updated Ad Lib driver file which is a replacement ASOUND.EXE file (this file provides Ad Lib sound support for the game). The replacement file patches F-15 SE2 to work properly on all systems.
Symptom: Installed the Roland patch, but the sounds are strange - The intro sounded ok, but when in the cockpit you hear no engine roar at all when flying - just silence. Other button controls do output some sounds.
Cause: The game [plus the Roland patch] requires an MT-32 "Old" (the one with no headphone jack on the back). The MT-32 "New" and MT-100 are not 100% compatible with the MT-32 "Old" - they were introduced around the time the General MIDI format was being ironed out, so Roland moved the locations of some of the MT-32 sound samples around. This means games whose sound was designed and tested on the MT-32 "Old" may sound 'wrong' on the MT-32 "New" or MT-100. Another cause for this incompatibility is that games designers became aware of bugs in the MT-32 "Old"'s firmware, and often exploited these to produce the sounds. Since the MT-32 "New" and MT-100 run on different firmware, these bugs cannot be exploited by the software, resulting in different/no sound.
Keys
Flight Controls + and- Increase Throttle / Decrease Throttle Weapons and Defenses S -Short Range Missiles M -Medium Range Missiles Avionics W -Waypoint Select R -Radar Range |
Views F1 -Look Front Simulation Controls ALT A -Accelerate Time ALT B -Boss, Hide Game |
To Quit the Game
Press Alt-Q at any time. A screen highlighting some other MicroProse Software titles is displayed, along with a prompt, "Exit to DOS Y/N ?". Press Y to return to the command prompt.
Supporting Documents
Here are the original documents that came with the game:
- Technical Supplement
- Quick Reference Card
- User Manual
- Desert Storm Press Release
And here are aftermarket docs:
Save Games
If you run the game from the original floppy disks (not recommended), no "save game" data will be written to them. Best to install and run the game on your hard disk, or make backup copies of the original disks (two 5.25" 1.2 MB disks) and keep them write-enabled so that save games can be stored on these disks.
All personal data for the game is stored in a file called HALLFAME in the main game directory. This data is only written to the file after you land, so if for any reason you don't want the mission results to be saved to your pilot's record, press ALT-Q to quit the game before the end.
You can backup this file (copy and rename it) if you wish to keep a record of the roster at a given point in time, and then later replace the original with your copy to restore it. The file is not readable/editable in a text editor.
Versions of the game known to exist
| Version | Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Playable Demo | (unknown) | |
| 451.01 | 1989 | First release. |
| 451.02 | 12th July 1989 | Second release. |
| Scenario disk (451.03) | 22nd May 1991 | The expansion pack, "Operation Desert Storm". Requires the full game to be installed first. See below for details. |
| Kixx re-released | 1994 | Adds flight missions based on those of the Desert Storm campaign. Came on a single CD-ROM. |
Add-Ons / Expansions
A single add-on was produced for F-15 Strike Eagle II, called Operation: Desert Storm, released in 1991. This added 3 new scenarios, two of which were created for the earlier F-19 Stealth Fighter title: North Cape and Central Europe. The third new scenario was based on the Gulf War called "Desert Storm", so is set in the Persian Gulf. The Desert Storm scenario provides 8 missions. Alternatively, you can opt for a randomly-created mission. Also, night missions, improved sound support (Roland), and new weapons were included to reflect the new theatres of war.
The Kixx re-release (1994) came on a CD-ROM and added flight missions based on those of the Desert Storm campaign.
Official MicroProse Key Disk Eliminator for F-15 Strike Eagle II (with or without Desert Storm campaign installed)
Reviews
ACE (UK, October 1989)
The One (UK, October 1989)
Computer & Video Games (UK, October 1989)
Original Floppy Disk Contents
The floppy disks have volume labels that denote the minor version of the game, e.g. "F15A001" and "F15B001", denoting Disk A, Disk B etc, and minor version .01.
Main Game . <DIR> 06-05-2021 11:50 .. <DIR> 06-05-2021 8:11 ADV PIC 8,514 12-07-1989 8:37 ARMPIECE PIC 4,747 11-07-1989 17:49 ASOUND EXE 9,252 29-08-1989 15:13 CGRAPHIC EXE 15,951 12-07-1989 11:47 DBICONS SPR 6,356 22-06-1989 13:30 DEATH PIC 4,495 12-07-1989 9:01 DESK PIC 6,311 12-07-1989 9:01 DS EXE 9,715 28-06-1989 13:18 EGRAPHIC EXE 15,881 10-07-1989 11:52 END EXE 29,739 18-08-1989 11:23 F15 COM 8,846 29-08-1989 16:02 F15 SPR 3,300 29-06-1989 14:20 GULF WLD 2,695 06-02-1989 10:53 HALLFAME 258 12-07-1989 16:17 HISCORE PIC 991 16-06-1989 11:52 ISOUND EXE 2,918 29-08-1989 16:04 LABS PIC 2,241 22-06-1989 9:03 LB 3DG 1,810 13-09-1988 20:11 LB 3DT 3,316 04-10-1988 11:37 LIBYA SPR 6,744 05-10-1988 0:50 LIBYA WLD 2,080 06-02-1989 10:53 ME 3DG 1,810 23-06-1989 9:57 ME 3DT 3,172 23-06-1989 9:57 ME SPR 9,524 31-05-1989 10:56 ME WLD 2,120 23-06-1989 11:11 MEDAL PIC 4,103 12-07-1989 9:01 MGRAPHIC EXE 10,586 12-07-1989 10:01 MISC EXE 689 26-09-1988 19:09 NSOUND EXE 635 11-07-1989 11:27 PERSIAN SPR 9,907 23-09-1988 13:36 PG 3DG 1,810 17-09-1988 18:36 PG 3DT 3,132 27-09-1988 15:47 PROMO PIC 4,478 12-07-1989 9:01 READ ME 816 28-08-1989 11:32 START EXE 35,525 29-08-1989 14:41 SU EXE 15,183 18-08-1989 11:40 TGRAPHIC EXE 11,486 12-07-1989 17:32 TITLE16 PIC 7,529 15-08-1989 16:27 TITLE640 PIC 25,175 15-08-1989 16:27 TSOUND EXE 3,264 29-08-1989 9:57 VN 3DG 1,810 26-06-1989 16:35 VN 3DT 3,964 26-06-1989 16:41 VN SPR 9,146 31-05-1989 10:57 VN WLD 1,971 15-06-1989 15:16 WALL PIC 4,079 11-07-1989 17:38 45 File(s) 318,074 Bytes. |
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Main Game . <DIR> 06-05-2021 11:50
.. <DIR> 06-05-2021 8:11
15FLT 3D3 21,011 16-05-1989 11:13
256LEFT PIC 6,803 12-07-1989 9:27
256PIT PIC 5,760 22-05-1989 14:05
256REAR PIC 7,973 15-05-1989 14:06
256RIGHT PIC 5,819 12-05-1989 14:25
3INSTALL BAT 970 13-07-1989 10:36
5INSTALL BAT 1,077 11-07-1989 15:58
COCKPIT PIC 3,039 22-05-1989 13:44
DS EXE 9,715 28-06-1989 13:18
EGAME EXE 86,963 29-08-1989 16:17
F15DGTL BIN 32,158 12-07-1989 14:20
F15LOADR 67 12-07-1989 16:14
INSTALL BAT 467 14-10-1988 8:52
LB 3D3 24,265 29-09-1988 16:06
LB 3DG 1,810 13-09-1988 20:11
LB 3DT 3,316 04-10-1988 11:37
LEFT PIC 4,436 12-07-1989 9:26
ME 3D3 26,349 23-06-1989 9:53
ME 3DG 1,810 23-06-1989 9:57
ME 3DT 3,172 23-06-1989 9:57
PG 3D3 25,574 29-09-1988 17:04
PG 3DG 1,810 17-09-1988 18:36
PG 3DT 3,132 27-09-1988 15:47
PHOTO 3D3 20,512 30-09-1988 12:01
REAR PIC 5,622 15-05-1989 13:53
RIGHT PIC 3,979 15-06-1989 17:34
VN 3D3 26,541 26-06-1989 16:38
VN 3DG 1,810 26-06-1989 16:35
VN 3DT 3,964 26-06-1989 16:41
29 File(s) 339,924 Bytes.
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Main Game . <DIR> 11-05-2021 21:21 .. <DIR> 06-05-2021 20:58 15FLT 3D3 21,011 16-05-1989 11:13 256LEFT PIC 6,803 12-07-1989 9:27 256PIT PIC 5,760 22-05-1989 14:05 256REAR PIC 7,973 15-05-1989 14:06 256RIGHT PIC 5,819 12-05-1989 14:25 ADV PIC 8,514 12-07-1989 8:37 ARMPIECE PIC 4,747 11-07-1989 17:49 ASOUND EXE 9,192 13-07-1989 11:01 CGRAPHIC EXE 15,951 12-07-1989 11:47 COCKPIT PIC 3,039 22-05-1989 13:44 DBICONS SPR 6,356 22-06-1989 13:30 DEATH PIC 4,495 12-07-1989 9:01 DESK PIC 6,311 12-07-1989 9:01 DS EXE 9,715 28-06-1989 13:18 EGAME EXE 87,443 13-07-1989 9:12 EGRAPHIC EXE 15,881 10-07-1989 11:52 END EXE 29,723 13-07-1989 9:12 F15 COM 8,863 07-03-1994 18:08 F15 SPR 3,300 29-06-1989 14:20 F15DGTL BIN 32,158 12-07-1989 14:20 F15LOADR 58 23-04-1994 11:45 GULF WLD 2,695 06-02-1989 10:53 HALLFAME 258 14-07-1996 15:40 HISCORE PIC 991 16-06-1989 11:52 INSTALL BAT 2,165 23-04-1994 13:39 ISOUND EXE 2,834 12-07-1989 15:14 LABS PIC 2,241 22-06-1989 9:03 LB 3D3 24,265 29-09-1988 16:06 LB 3DG 1,810 13-09-1988 20:11 LB 3DT 3,316 04-10-1988 11:37 LEFT PIC 4,436 12-07-1989 9:26 LIBYA SPR 6,744 05-10-1988 0:50 LIBYA WLD 2,080 06-02-1989 10:53 ME 3D3 26,349 23-06-1989 9:53 ME 3DG 1,810 23-06-1989 9:57 ME 3DT 3,172 23-06-1989 9:57 ME SPR 9,524 31-05-1989 10:56 ME WLD 2,120 23-06-1989 11:11 MEDAL PIC 4,103 12-07-1989 9:01 MGRAPHIC EXE 10,586 12-07-1989 10:01 MISC EXE 689 26-09-1988 19:09 NSOUND EXE 635 11-07-1989 11:27 PERSIAN SPR 9,907 23-09-1988 13:36 PG 3D3 25,574 29-09-1988 17:04 PG 3DG 1,810 17-09-1988 18:36 PG 3DT 3,132 27-09-1988 15:47 PHOTO 3D3 20,512 30-09-1988 12:01 PROMO PIC 4,478 12-07-1989 9:01 READ ME 168 06-07-1989 11:15 REAR PIC 5,622 15-05-1989 13:53 RIGHT PIC 3,979 15-06-1989 17:34 START EXE 35,525 13-07-1989 8:31 SU EXE 15,167 10-07-1989 16:30 TGRAPHIC EXE 11,486 12-07-1989 17:32 TITLE16 PIC 7,440 12-07-1989 8:28 TITLE640 PIC 23,146 12-07-1989 8:28 TSOUND EXE 3,313 12-07-1989 15:12 VN 3D3 26,541 26-06-1989 16:38 VN 3DG 1,810 26-06-1989 16:35 VN 3DT 3,964 26-06-1989 16:41 VN SPR 9,146 31-05-1989 10:57 VN WLD 1,971 15-06-1989 15:16 WALL PIC 4,079 11-07-1989 17:38 63 File(s) 624,705 Bytes. |
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Operation Desert Storm Add-On Disk (5.25" 360 KB DS/DD): . <DIR> 06-05-2021 12:02 .. <DIR> 06-05-2021 12:01 1 PIC 20,728 27-03-1991 16:09 2 PIC 11,025 27-03-1991 16:09 3 PIC 3,982 27-03-1991 16:38 4 PIC 13,174 27-03-1991 14:23 ASOUND EXE 9,388 14-03-1991 11:07 CE 3D3 23,461 06-10-1988 13:51 CE 3DG 1,810 30-09-1988 10:21 CE 3DT 3,916 04-10-1988 10:05 CE WLD 2,937 13-10-1988 15:14 CEUROPE SPR 9,434 23-09-1988 13:39 DEMO EXE 5,407 28-03-1991 11:14 EGAME EXE 56,842 27-03-1991 10:23 END EXE 17,982 27-03-1991 10:11 F15 COM 8,846 27-03-1991 10:07 INSTALL EXE 2,979 27-03-1991 9:07 ISOUND EXE 6,206 22-03-1991 16:30 JP 3D3 39,892 11-03-1991 17:18 JP 3DG 1,810 04-03-1991 15:33 JP 3DT 3,948 04-03-1991 17:36 JP SPR 9,885 14-03-1991 9:58 JP WLD 2,116 14-03-1991 17:05 MGRAPHIC DEM 4,220 28-03-1991 10:57 NC 3D3 26,691 29-09-1988 16:22 NC 3DG 1,810 20-09-1988 10:25 NC 3DT 3,228 20-09-1988 10:25 NC WLD 2,280 13-10-1988 15:14 NCAPE SPR 7,138 23-09-1988 13:38 READ ME 2,047 28-03-1991 11:28 RSOUND EXE 11,885 14-03-1991 11:28 START EXE 22,861 27-03-1991 10:11 SU EXE 9,818 22-03-1991 13:23 31 File(s) 347,746 Bytes. |
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Installed Directory Contents
Once installed, the following directory structure exists in the game directory.
Full game only (no expansion pack). Game version 451.02.
Directory of C:\GAMES\F15 . <DIR> 06/05/21 20:42 .. <DIR> 06/05/21 20:42 15FLT 3D3 21,011 16/05/89 11:13 256PIT PIC 5,760 22/05/89 14:05 256LEFT PIC 6,803 12/07/89 9:27 256RIGHT PIC 5,819 12/05/89 14:25 256REAR PIC 7,973 15/05/89 14:06 3INSTALL BAT 970 13/07/89 10:36 <== Use to install from 3.5" floppies 5INSTALL BAT 1,077 11/07/89 15:58 <== Use to install from 5.25" floppies ADV PIC 8,514 12/07/89 8:37 ARMPIECE PIC 4,747 11/07/89 17:49 ASOUND EXE 9,252 29/08/89 15:13 <== Ad Lib sound file CGRAPHIC EXE 15,951 12/07/89 11:47 <== CGA graphics file COCKPIT PIC 3,039 22/05/89 13:44 DBICONS SPR 6,356 22/06/89 13:30 DEATH PIC 4,495 12/07/89 9:01 DESK PIC 6,311 12/07/89 9:01 DS EXE 9,715 28/06/89 13:18 EGAME EXE 86,963 29/08/89 16:17 <== EGA main game executable EGRAPHIC EXE 15,881 10/07/89 11:52 <== EGA graphics file END EXE 29,739 18/08/89 11:23 F15 COM 8,846 29/08/89 16:02 <== Use this to run the game F15 SPR 3,300 29/06/89 14:20 F15DGTL BIN 32,158 12/07/89 14:20 F15LOADR 67 12/07/89 16:14 HALLFAME 258 12/07/89 16:17 <== Hi score table / save game file HISCORE PIC 991 16/06/89 11:52 INSTALL BAT 467 14/10/88 8:52 <== Use to install the game ISOUND EXE 2,918 29/08/89 16:04 <== PC Speaker sound file LABS PIC 2,241 22/06/89 9:03 <== "MPS Labs" pic LB 3D3 24,265 29/09/88 16:06 ===| LB 3DT 3,316 04/10/88 11:37 | LB 3DG 1,810 13/09/88 20:11 |== Libya theater files LIBYA WLD 2,080 06/02/89 10:53 | LIBYA SPR 6,744 05/10/88 0:50 ===| LEFT PIC 4,436 12/07/89 9:26 MEDAL PIC 4,103 12/07/89 9:01 ME 3D3 26,349 23/06/89 9:53 ===| ME 3DG 1,810 23/06/89 9:57 | ME 3DT 3,172 23/06/89 9:57 |== Middle East theater files ME SPR 9,524 31/05/89 10:56 | ME WLD 2,120 23/06/89 11:11 ===| MGRAPHIC EXE 10,586 12/07/89 10:01 <== MCGA/VGA graphics file MISC EXE 689 26/09/88 19:09 NSOUND EXE 635 11/07/89 11:27 <== No sound file PERSIAN SPR 9,907 23/09/88 13:36 ===| PG 3D3 25,574 29/09/88 17:04 | PG 3DG 1,810 17/09/88 18:36 |== Persian Gulf theater files PG 3DT 3,132 27/09/88 15:47 | GULF WLD 2,695 06/02/89 10:53 ===| PHOTO 3D3 20,512 30/09/88 12:01 PROMO PIC 4,478 12/07/89 9:01 READ ME 816 28/08/89 11:32 REAR PIC 5,622 15/05/89 13:53 RIGHT PIC 3,979 15/06/89 17:34 START EXE 35,525 29/08/89 14:41 SU EXE 15,183 18/08/89 11:40 TGRAPHIC EXE 11,486 12/07/89 17:32 TITLE16 PIC 7,529 15/08/89 16:27 <== 16-colour title screen TITLE640 PIC 25,175 15/08/89 16:27 <== EGA title screen TSOUND EXE 3,264 29/08/89 9:57 <== Tandy sound file VN 3D3 26,541 26/06/89 16:38 ===| VN 3DG 1,810 26/06/89 16:35 | VN 3DT 3,964 26/06/89 16:41 |== VN SPR 9,146 31/05/89 10:57 | VN WLD 1,971 15/06/89 15:16 ===| WALL PIC 4,079 11/07/89 17:38 68 file(s) 627,459 bytes |