However, the game is not wanting in scope. As in all John Tiller games, the player is spoiled by the number of scenarios available. The 30 scenarios start in 1956 with Canberras, and Corsairs and stretch to the current day with F-15s and F-16s. The game’s database holds hundreds of aircraft and weapon systems; WOM’s scenarios showcase this vast arsenal, as well as the staggering changes that technology has brought to air combat. Early jets like the British Vampire are quaint dinosaurs when compared to a Mirage III, not to mention an Su-27 or MiG 29.

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The scenarios also feature different game-play styles, and there is something for everyone. On one hand, there are scenarios that require deliberate planning and execution. A good example is Operation Musketeer, the 1956 French and British attack on strategic sites around Cairo. In this game, Egyptian resistance is minor; the scenario is mostly about finding targets, then building multi-aircraft strike packages to take them out. Other scenarios, like the 1973 Sinai scenario, are more edge-of-the-seat. This scenario has hundreds of planes in the air as both sides try to attack each other’s ground forces. Both players must simultaneously manage the defense and offense. In these scenarios, planning quickly breaks down as a massive brawl develops. In some battles there are easily 20 to 30 flights in the air at once and judicious use of the pause key will keep turn-based wargamers sane.

A fun optional rule has the player working to rescue downed pilots. In most scenarios, forward air bases usually have helicopter units that can go after those pilots who managed to land without their planes. Rescue missions are a mini-game by themselves since the player often has to penetrate enemy territory with slow-flying helicopters to get their men back. In large scenarios, with a hundred aircraft in the air, rescue missions are more of a distraction, and thankfully can be turned off.

While there is a great deal of variety, scenarios are basically set-piece affairs, and the player cannot change starting positions or load-outs. However, the ATO (air tasking order) editor provides a shell program to start scenarios that allows the player to make load-out changes as well as link several iterations of the same scenario together to form a campaign of sorts. This weak campaign feature just does not seem to be enough; WOM would be so much better with a strong campaign game. The ATO editor is really easy to use for changing load-outs, but linking scenarios did not always work on the review machine. Strangely, the role of ATO is not immediately apparent in the main manual. Players who normally ignore any start-up icon with the label editor might miss this tool.

Speaking of editors, WOM comes with a full compliment of game editors for those armchair pilots who like to roll their own battles. Almost everything except the map can be changed, so scenario designers will find plenty to do.

War Over the Mideast is a fun game to play, but it does have some problems. Despite being the second game in the series, there are a baker’s dozen of nit-picky interface issues. Taken as a whole, these keep WOM from moving from the Good to the Great category. Some examples:

The game sports a new and an old interface. In the new interface, there is no Save Game feature. In order to save the game, the player must switch to the old interface—easy to do once you know the trick but irritating if you don’t. Another irritant is that some targets disappear from the map when the spotting aircraft moves away. This may be a semi-realistic game feature, but it causes some awkward game play when the player wants to set up a strike to a vanished target he had just seen a few seconds ago. Certainly such issues will be worked out in patches, since HPS has an excellent reputation for follow-on support, but until patch day arrives, the player has to take those high-G turns and just suck it up.

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