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Project Wingman
Project Wingman
Project Wingman
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Project Wingman
DeveloperSector D2
PublisherHumble Games
Producers
  • Abi Rahmani
  • Matthew Nguyen
Programmers
  • Abi Rahmani
  • Nicholas Chalkley
ArtistAbi Rahmani
WriterMatthew Nguyen
ComposerJose Pavli
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platforms
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows
  • WW: 1 December 2020
Xbox One
  • WW: 28 October 2021
PlayStation 5
  • WW: 3 October 2023
GenreCombat flight simulator
ModeSingle-player

Project Wingman is a combat flight-action video game developed by Sector D2 and published by Humble Games. It was released on 1 December 2020 on Microsoft Windows with optional VR support for the whole game. It was later released on 28 October 2021 for the Xbox One, and on 3 October 2023 for the PlayStation 5. Titled Project Wingman: Frontline 59, the PlayStation 5 release includes 6 new missions with optional VR support. The same six missions were released as DLC for the Steam version on 1 December 2024, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the game.

The game follows the story of a war set on an alternate Earth between United Cascadia and the Pacific Federation via a silent protagonist, a mercenary pilot for the fictional Sicario Mercenary Corps. After finishing up a previous contract, the mercenary group is hired by United Cascadia, a nation vying for independence from the Pacific Federation, also known simply as the Federation. The Federation comprises most of the Ring of Fire from California to Mongolia. Due to volatile tectonics, the area is rich with a fictional element called cordium, which is used for geothermal and military applications.

In addition to the campaign, there is a rogue-lite "Conquest" gamemode wherein the player flies in missions across various territories for Cascadia, capturing territories, buying new planes, and hiring help, while the Federation gets progressively aware and cautious of the player's presence, sending fighters, airships, and ace squadrons to oppose the player.

Gameplay

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Project Wingman is a combat flight action game similar to the Ace Combat series in which the player flies a combat plane into battle and destroys enemy targets. The player can choose from a wide selection of planes inspired by real-life combat aircraft and equip the plane with special weapons. The player can choose to play in first-person (with or without the cockpit view) or third-person. Virtual reality (VR) and hands on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) are supported.[1]

In campaign mode, the player completes twenty-one missions, with objectives ranging from destroying enemy planes, annihilating ground forces and bases, and protecting allies. Completing a mission awards the player credits, which can be spent on new planes.[2][3] The game's campaign follows a story in which the mercenary pilot Monarch fights for the Cascadians in their war of independence against the Pacific Federation in a future Earth previously devastated by a cascade of tectonic events in the Ring of Fire. There is a separate section for the Frontline 59 campaign, which plays similarly to the main campaign.[4]

In Conquest mode, the player starts out with basic combat planes and must complete 43 missions in a single life. Mission types vary from hunting transport planes to destroying anti-air defenses. All missions end with a fight against an enemy ace squadron. Upon mission completion, the player receives credits and prestige, and the territory the mission took place in is conquered. Credits can be used to hire mercenaries and airships, and prestige can be used to buy new planes. The player's alert level determines the amount and type of enemies, and increases based on the amount of damage done to aircraft and ground defenses. If the player dies, everything except prestige and planes bought before is lost.[2][5][6]

The player starts with trainer variants of the F-4 Phantom II- and MiG-21-inspired jets. All planes are equipped with flares and standard missiles, and can also be equipped with certain special weapons. More advanced planes offer, in place of flares, an angle of attack limiter toggle that grants supermaneuverability.[7] Smaller planes can equip between one or two special weapons, while larger planes can equip between two or three, with the specific special weapons available being more advanced. Access to some of the planes requires the player to finish specific campaign missions, with some of the best planes only becoming available upon campaign completion. The difficulty setting or scores achieved during missions do not affect progression towards unlocking aircraft, aside from mission scores being a source of money.[8]

Synopsis

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Setting

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The game takes place in the indeterminate future, on an Earth afflicted by a worldwide volcanic cataclysm centuries earlier in an event known as the "Calamity". This event not only destroyed modern technological civilization in an estimated 150-year nuclear winter, but also created multiple exclusion zones across the planet and led to the discovery of a valuable energy resource called cordium. By the year 432 AC (After Calamity, a new calendar established after said nuclear winter), civilization has returned to levels comparable to and even surpassing its previous height.

One of the world's superpowers is the Pacific Federation, a multinational political union based around the Pacific Ocean and its coast. The Pacific Federation bases its power on control over the cordium deposits across the Ring of Fire. In recent years, however, tensions between member states have risen due to the Federation's imperialist policies, which have been fueled by the rich cordium deposits of United Cascadia (a member state located along the Pacific Northwest region of North America). Additionally, the Federation plans to cement its control over Cascadia to further exploit its resources. As a result, Cascadia declares independence from the Federation and starts an armed rebellion. Several private military companies such as the Sicario Mercenary Corps are hired by Cascadia in their war against the Federation.

The player controls the game's silent protagonist, a Sicario pilot with the callsign "Monarch" flying in the Hitman Team alongside Peter Kennedy (callsign "Diplomat") and Evelyn London III (callsign "Comic"). If the player selects a two-seat aircraft, Monarch is accompanied by WSO Robin Kuo (callsign "President"). Other members of Sicario include its primary AWACS operator Dominic Zaitsev (callsign "Galaxy") and the company's leader Arnold Frenken (callsign "Kaiser"), who is also a pilot and leader of the Assassin Team.

In the DLC mini-campaign Frontline 59, the story follows Division K-9, a squadron of Federation reserve pilots who are unexpectedly called to duty to make up for the Federation's losses suffered in their rapidly escalating war with Cascadia. The squadron consists of the player character "Driver", pilots "Brick", "Bookie", "Cobb", and Driver's WSO "Eye-Tee". They are commanded by the Federation AWACS "Vita".

Plot

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After finishing their contract with the Creole Republic, the Sicario Mercenary Corps is hired by Cascadia amid their war of independence against the Pacific Federation. The Federation has gained the upper hand in the early stages of the war, to the point of capturing the Cascadian capital city of Presidia.

However, the Hitman Team slowly turns the tide of the war in Cascadia's favor, as the Federation begins losing support due to their war crimes being brought to light and their inability to control Cascadia. The Hitman Team becomes a rallying point for Cascadian forces because of their immense successes in repelling Federation forces, which earns them the attention of the Federation's Crimson Team, a fighter squadron of elite peacekeeper pilots. The air war culminates in a massive aerial dogfight between Federation and Cascadian forces over the Bering Strait; during the battle, Crimson is deployed to stop Hitman but is forced to retreat after Hitman inflicts too many losses, leaving Crimson's leader, Crimson 1, enraged and vowing revenge against Monarch.

During a subsequent mission to liberate Prospero, Cascadia's main economic hub, the Federation bombards the city with cordium-enriched cruise missiles when Cascadian victory seems imminent. The warheads activate Prospero's rich cordium deposits, causing a massive underground volcanic chain reaction. This destabilizes the Ring of Fire and ravages most of the Pacific Rim in the resulting tectonic event. Having lost communications with allied forces in the chaos, Hitman withdraws but is intercepted by a team of bounty hunters led by Klara Rask (callsign "Frost Druid"), who reveals that Hitman's true identities have been leaked to the public. Hitman shoots down the bounty hunters and re-establishes communications with Sicario, planning to leave Cascadia behind, but their Cascadian liaison officer offers them an undisclosed deal in exchange for their continued support. Sicario accepts the deal and continues to fight, while their leader Kaiser travels abroad to rally supporters for their cause.

Sicario assists the Cascadians with eliminating Federal resistance and re-stabilizing the country, and Hitman defeats Crimson in a dogfight above a devastated Prospero. During the last major battle of the war to liberate Presidia, both sides of the conflict agree to a ceasefire as Cascadia emerges victorious, but Crimson 1 suddenly arrives in a hijacked prototype super-fighter, the "Project Wingman". Overcome with madness from the war and the loss of his squadron, he detonates several cordium-enriched warheads, devastating Presidia and incapacitating Hitman Team except for Monarch. Crimson 1 holds Monarch responsible for the escalation of the war and challenges him to a duel, but is ultimately shot down by Monarch, ending the war as the surviving Federation and Cascadian forces spectate. Hitman, having ejected from their planes, are rescued by Sicario's SAR unit, and the remaining Federation forces fear their summary execution on suspicion of breaking the ceasefire.

After the war, Cascadia honors their deal with Sicario. The whereabouts of the Hitman Team, including Monarch, are unknown; the Federation declares them wanted criminals for their part in the war, though it is implied that they have assumed new identities as part of the deal. Having suffered irreplaceably high casualties and the immense loss of reputation from using cordium weapon of mass destruction, the Federation faces multiple insurgent movements from other member states, backed by the now-independent Cascadia (now a haven for mercenaries) among other foreign powers.

Frontline 59

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Set concurrent to the main plot, reservist squadron K-9 is activated in an emergency mobilization and ordered to join the battle over the Bering Strait, despite their inexperience. However, they are too late to join the battle and are forced to protect retreating Federation forces instead, resulting in them saving Crimson Squadron. In light of the massive losses they suffered, the Federation mobilizes the reserves of the entire frontline territory of Magadan, as Cascadia stages an amphibious invasion into eastern Siberia, led by General Faust. Despite K-9 and Peacekeeper Squadron Steel Team inflicting heavy losses on the Cascadians, they cannot stop the invasion and are forced to retreat inland.

Over the next month, K-9 participates in defensive operations, buying enough time for the main Federation forces to regroup. The turning point comes when Driver performs a daring raid through an underground tunnel, destroying the Cascadian headquarters and putting the entire invasion force in disarray. The fully assembled Federation forces then drive the Cascadians back to the coast, refusing all offers of ceasefire. The main Cascadian invasion force is destroyed and the Federation begins their invasion of Cascadia. However, instead of being deactivated as planned, K-9 is sent to stop a last-ditch attack by General Faust targeting Magadan's largest geothermal plant.

Driver destroys Faust's airship and kills her before she can attack the geothermal plant, but as her airship explodes, Faust warns of a terrible secret that was found in Oceania in the last war that the mercenaries consider "holy", and which will destroy either the Federation or Cascadia. The mission is completed just as K-9 witnesses a flight of cordium-enriched cruise missiles flying overhead toward Prospero.

Afterward, due to their role in repelling the Cascadian invasion of Magadan, Driver is put into consideration to be promoted to a full-fledged Peacekeeper.

Development

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Abi Rahmani started Project Wingman as a portfolio piece[9] in November 2015.[10] In 2017, Project Wingman became a full-time project[9] after receiving an Epic Games Unreal Dev Grant. Fans donated to the game's Kickstarter campaign, raising AU$114,544 and exceeding its goal of AU$35,000.[1] Story mode was confirmed by the development team, but cutscenes were not included due to being outside of the Kickstarter budget.[11] Project Wingman's release date was originally stated for summer 2020 before it was pushed back to early 2021, but the release date was moved to 1 December 2020, due to development proceeding faster than expected.[12]

Project Wingman was later ported and released on Xbox One on 28 October 2021.[13][14] The game was also released on the online PC game store GOG.com on March 28, 2022.[15]

Reception

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Project Wingman received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[16] Critics have praised the game for its audio and visual feedback.[5][17]

Polygon's Charlie Hall praised the game for its action that can be commonly found in modern first-person shooters.[17] TheGamer's Sean Murray noted the game's improvement on the Ace Combat formula by allowing players to equip multiple weapons and adding a rogue-like conquest mode, but he criticized the game's lack of mission variety due to being "go here, shoot things".[2]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Project Wingman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Project Wingman is a single-player arcade-style flight developed by the indie studio Sector D2 and published by Humble . Released initially for Microsoft Windows on December 1, 2020, via , it features intense aerial dogfights and large-scale battles in an original alternate-history setting on a post-apocalyptic ravaged by a catastrophic event known as the Calamity. The game was later ported to and Xbox Series X/S on October 28, 2021, and to on October 3, 2023, with support available on PC since launch and on for the expansion. Players control a pilot codenamed Monarch, leading the Sicario in a between the authoritarian of United Territories and the independent nation of Cascadia, emphasizing arcade flight mechanics over realistic simulation. Sector D2, a small Australian-based team primarily consisting of lead developer and designer Abi Rahmani (known as RB-D2), created Project Wingman using Unreal Engine 4, drawing inspiration from classic arcade flight games like the Ace Combat series while incorporating modern graphical and audio elements. The development process began as a passion project funded through crowdfunding on Kickstarter in 2017, allowing the team to expand the scope to include over 20 dynamic campaign missions, a roguelite Conquest mode for procedural endless gameplay, and a roster of 20 playable aircraft ranging from multirole fighters to experimental superweapons. The game's soundtrack, composed by Jose Pavli, features high-energy electronic and orchestral tracks that enhance the adrenaline-fueled combat sequences. Upon release, Project Wingman received generally positive reception for its polished , spectacular visuals, and satisfying sense of scale in battles involving hundreds of and ground units, earning an average score of 73 out of 100 on based on 12 reviews. Critics praised its accessibility for newcomers to the while offering depth for veterans through customizable loadouts and intense boss encounters, though some noted minor issues with mission variety and AI behavior. The game received a side story expansion, Frontline 59, released in October 2023 for with PS VR2 support (and on PC in December 2024), adding six missions set during the main campaign from the Federation's perspective.

Gameplay

Core mechanics

Project Wingman employs an arcade-style flight model designed for accessible, high-speed aerial rather than simulation-level realism. The physics simplify aerodynamic forces, enabling players to perform aggressive maneuvers like tight loops, barrel rolls, and high-angle-of-attack turns without concerns over recovery or precise energy states. activation provides a burst of for rapid acceleration to supersonic velocities, essential for chasing down foes or evading incoming missiles in dynamic dogfights. This approach prioritizes fluid, responsive handling to maintain momentum during prolonged engagements. Control schemes cater to diverse hardware setups, including keyboard and mouse, gamepads, throttles, and controllers for immersive flight. With keyboard and mouse, the mouse typically handles pitch and yaw for aiming, while WASD or manage roll and increments; rudder input via A/D keys aids in fine-tuning gun alignments during turns. configurations map analog sticks to pitch/roll and yaw/ axes, with shoulder buttons or triggers for braking, , and firing—recommendations often suggest remapping triggers for graduated control to enhance precision. All bindings are customizable through the options menu, allowing adaptations for personal comfort and playstyle. VR support integrates head-tracking for natural viewpoint shifts, complementing stick or motion controls for targeting. Weapon systems form the backbone of combat effectiveness, blending standard armaments with modular special options tied to aircraft hardpoints. Every plane features a default gun pod—typically a rapid-fire cannon—for close-quarters strafing against aircraft or ground targets, effective up to about one kilometer. Missiles constitute the primary arsenal, divided into short-range variants for nimble, heat-seeking dogfights (e.g., firing in salvos during tail chases), medium-range all-aspect types for versatile engagements, and long-range models for beyond-visual-range intercepts requiring radar locks. Special weapons, equipped in one to three slots per aircraft, add tactical depth: examples include cluster bombs that disperse submunitions over wide areas for anti-ground saturation, anti-ship missiles optimized for piercing naval hulls, and railguns delivering electromagnetic projectiles for armor-piercing precision. Locking mechanics demand sustained target acquisition via reticle alignment, with visual and audio cues signaling successful locks before launch; overuse risks countermeasures like flares or chaff deployment by enemies. Missions unfold through structured objectives that integrate air superiority and ground attack elements, demanding adaptive strategies amid escalating threats. Core tasks encompass escorting convoys or VIP through hostile , intercepting incoming waves or fighter squadrons, defending static assets like bases or carriers from assaults, and executing precision strikes on infrastructure such as sites or depots. Players track progress by eliminating priority-marked targets, which trigger phase transitions—failure to do so can lead to mission failure via overwhelming enemy reinforcements. Air-to-air duels emphasize evasion and positioning, while ground operations require low-altitude runs to dodge anti-air fire, blending both for hybrid scenarios that reward situational awareness over rote execution.

Campaign and modes

The single-player campaign in Project Wingman comprises 21 missions depicting a large-scale aerial war, with objectives ranging from air superiority to ground strikes and boss encounters against escalating enemy forces. Each mission begins with a briefing outlining key targets, enemy compositions, and strategic considerations, emphasizing tactical decision-making in dynamic combat scenarios. As players advance, mission complexity increases through larger enemy waves, advanced , and environmental challenges, promoting replayability via performance-based scoring that influences unlocks. Conquest mode introduces a survival structure set on a dynamic of 43 territories, where players begin with limited resources in one starting region and expand their influence by capturing adjacent areas through generated missions. Success yields prestige points to recruit allied squadrons, purchase aircraft, and upgrade loadouts, forming a persistent fleet amid rising alert levels that spawn tougher foes, aces, and superbosses; failure results in , resetting the run but retaining some meta-progression for future attempts. This mode blends territorial strategy with RPG elements, encouraging experimentation in fleet composition and mission selection to achieve full conquest. Project Wingman offers four difficulty levels—Easy, Normal, Hard, and the post-campaign unlockable —to accommodate varying skill levels, with higher tiers amplifying enemy AI aggression, missile accuracy, and spawn rates for intensified challenges. A comprehensive scoring system evaluates kills, objectives, and efficiency to award medals (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Ace) per mission, alongside credits for acquiring new planes and weapons; global leaderboards track top scores, fostering competition and incentivizing optimized runs.

Aircraft and customization

Project Wingman features over 20 playable aircraft types, drawing inspiration from real-world combat jets and categorized into fighters, attackers, and multirole platforms. Each aircraft possesses distinct stats influencing performance, such as speed for rapid intercepts, maneuverability for dogfighting, and capacity for sustained engagements. For instance, the F/D-14 multirole jet offers high speed and solid maneuverability with three special weapon slots, enabling versatile loadouts for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Fighters like the VX-23, inspired by fifth-generation stealth designs such as the F-22, prioritize agility and low observability for superior air superiority, while attackers like the SK.25U excel in with a massive nose-mounted for devastating ground strikes. Customization centers on equipping special weapons into dedicated slots, selecting paint jobs, and applying performance upgrades unlocked via campaign or Conquest mode progression. Players assign over 30 unique weapons, including multi-lock anti-air missiles (MLAA) for fighters, unguided bombs (UGBL) for attackers, and anti-ship missiles (ASM) for multirole jets, tailored to mission objectives through hardpoint restrictions. Paint jobs provide cosmetic variety, with options like default federation schemes or unlocked variants earned by completing objectives, enhancing personalization without affecting stats. Performance tweaks, such as improved missile tracking or engine boosts, are acquired through credits and prestige in Conquest mode, allowing incremental enhancements to base aircraft stats like speed or durability. The aircraft progression system operates as a branching tree, where advancing through the 21-mission campaign unlocks increasingly advanced models, culminating in superplanes equipped with experimental features. Early unlocks include basic trainers like the T-21, evolving to high-end prototypes such as the PW-Mk.I superplane, which integrates a for long-range precision strikes, or the stealth-oriented VX-23 for covert operations. This tree encourages strategic choices, as later aircraft demand higher skill to utilize their enhanced payload and maneuverability effectively, with unlocks tied to mission completion and resource accumulation.

Story

Setting and world-building

Project Wingman is set in an alternate near-future Earth, reshaped by the Calamity—a catastrophic geothermal event triggered by the sudden exposure of volatile cordium deposits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This disaster unleashed a chain of massive volcanic eruptions, tectonic upheavals, and an ensuing 150-year nuclear winter that obliterated pre-existing global civilizations and redrew geopolitical boundaries. The narrative unfolds in the After Calamity Era on a resource-rich landmass in western dominated by two primary powers: the expansive Pacific Federation, a multinational that consolidated control over geothermal and cordium resources to fuel its expansionist policies, and the independent nation of United Cascadia, a former federation member whose ignites the central conflict. This dynamic mirrors real-world Cold War-era tensions, with the federation representing authoritarian hegemony and Cascadia embodying resistance and self-determination amid ideological and economic divides. Technologically, the world emphasizes near-future military advancements powered by cordium, including high-performance jet fighters equipped for supersonic aerial combat and precision strikes, autonomous drone swarms deployed for massed assaults and reconnaissance, and systems that deliver electromagnetic projectiles with unparalleled destructive range and velocity. These innovations, born from the Calamity's aftermath, underscore a militarized society where air superiority dictates survival and dominance. Visually and environmentally, the region's diverse biomes—from vast oceanic expanses and dense redwood forests to arid oriental deserts and sprawling urban centers like the federation's fortified hubs and the Cascadian capital Presidia—create a scorched-earth aesthetic that reflects the landmass's fractured recovery. These varied terrains not only evoke the lingering scars of the Calamity but also inform the tactical and atmospheric depth of engagements across coastal invasions, woodland skirmishes, and city sieges.

Main campaign plot

The main campaign of Project Wingman centers on , an elite mercenary pilot and leader of the Hitman Team from the Sicario, who is contracted by United Cascadia to support its bid for independence from the expansionist . The 20-mission storyline unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world scarred by previous cataclysms, where Cascadia's secession ignites the Cascadian Conflict, drawing Monarch's team into escalating . Initial operations focus on resource denial and territorial gains, such as intercepting a secret Federation cordium shipment in the opening mission "Black Flag" and assaulting Rowsdower Air Force Base in "Homestead" to secure a . As the narrative progresses, Hitman Team undertakes daring rescues, like saving the Wild Boar Regiment in "Uphill, Every Way," and covers retreats from besieged cities, including Presidia in "Sirens of Defeat," while evading elite Federation squadrons like the Crimson Team. Radio chatter among pilots, including Monarch's wingman and navigator Robin, builds immersion by revealing personal stakes, team banter, and growing doubts about the war's morality. Mid-campaign events introduce major escalations and twists that underscore themes of corporate greed and the dehumanizing cost of mercenary warfare. Sicario raids cordium mining facilities in "Machine of the Mantle," disrupting Federation logistics, and neutralizes air defenses in "Stepping Stone" to enable broader invasions. A turning point arrives with the destruction of the Solana Communications Array in "Pillars of Communications," crippling Federation coordination, followed by a massive naval engagement in "Valkyrie's Call" where Hitman sinks Task Force 1. The shadowy corporation Icarus emerges as a key antagonist, revealed to be profiting from the prolonged conflict by supplying advanced weaponry to both sides, including the devastating Aurora orbital railgun superweapon deployed against Cascadian forces. This corporate machination culminates in the "Calamity," a catastrophic barrage of cordium missiles that ignites continent-spanning infernos, forcing refugees into the skies and symbolizing the war's uncontrollable devastation; Hitman witnesses the fallout in "Consequence of Power," aiding survivors in the ruined city of Prospero. Pilot loyalty shines through in moments like "Wayback," where the team fends off bounty hunters hired by Icarus executive Stardust, who attempts to buy their defection, highlighting the tension between professional bonds and opportunistic betrayal. The storyline builds to a climactic on the Federation-occupied capital in the final missions, emphasizing the personal and strategic toll of the conflict. In "No Respite," raids the fortified Brite Fortress amid the Calamity's chaos, then retakes in "Return" by defeating Crimson Team reinforcements. "" sees the team sink a massive Federation armada blockading Presidia, paving the way for the decisive urban battle in "Presidia," where cordium strikes level districts and force desperate close-quarters dogfights. The campaign concludes in "Kings" with 's one-on-one duel against Crimson 1, the Federation's top and Monarch's archrival, over Presidia's smoldering ruins—a symbolic clash of individual prowess amid systemic collapse. Ending variations arise based on player performance metrics, such as status and mission efficiency; higher achievements unlock extended epilogues detailing Sicario's survival as fugitives, with Cascadia issuing warrants for their capture due to unpaid debts and wartime suspicions, while lower scores lead to more abrupt, ambiguous closures. These outcomes reinforce themes of loyalty's fragility in a profit-driven world, where mercenaries like bear the war's scars without glory or resolution.

Frontlines 59 expansion

The Frontline 59 expansion for Project Wingman, released in 2023 for and later ported to PC in December 2024, serves as a side campaign that expands the original game's Cascadian Conflict by shifting the player's perspective to the opposing Pacific forces. Set concurrently with the events of the base campaign, it follows a reserve pilot from the Federation's Division K-9 squadron, known as , who is thrust into active duty following devastating losses over the . This storyline portrays the underdog reserve unit's desperate defense of the Federation homeland against a surprise Cascadian invasion, highlighting the human cost of the war from the antagonists' viewpoint in the main . The plot centers on the short-lived but pivotal Magadan Front, where opportunistic Cascadian commanders exploit Federation vulnerabilities to launch an amphibious assault on the resource-rich Siberian region of . Driver and K-9 must contend with elite Cascadian forces, including squadrons, amid escalating battles that test the reserves' resolve and reveal the broader stakes of the conflict, such as control over strategic cordium deposits. Unlike the base game's -focused arc, this expansion emphasizes themes of duty and survival for conscripted pilots, with radio chatter and briefings underscoring the Federation's internal strains and the invaders' tactical ruthlessness. The narrative ties into the established lore by occurring parallel to key main campaign events, such as the post-"" skirmishes, providing contextual depth to the overall war without altering the primary storyline. Comprising six new missions, Frontline 59 introduces varied scenarios with a stronger emphasis on defensive operations and ground support compared to the base game's offensive focus. Missions range from coastal interceptions and air superiority battles to high-risk infiltrations through underground tunnels and pursuits, culminating in a climactic confrontation over contested . These encounters incorporate novel mechanics, such as enhanced electronic warfare elements and dynamic weather effects in remote terrains, which challenge players to adapt reserve-grade equipment against superior foes. The expansion also features an composed by José Pavli, with tracks tailored to the tense, survival-oriented tone of the Federation's struggle. As a semi-sequel in scope, Frontline 59 extends the world's military dynamics by exploring remnant defenses and the opportunistic maneuvers of Cascadian remnants, reinforcing the base game's themes of geopolitical fallout without introducing entirely new factions. It integrates seamlessly as a standalone campaign mode, allowing players to experience the war's dual sides while maintaining lore consistency through shared environmental and technological elements.

Development

Concept and influences

Project Wingman originated as a solo endeavor by developer Abi Rahmani (known as RB-D2) under his studio Sector D2, with initial development beginning in 2015. Rahmani, a longtime fan of flight combat games, sought to create an accessible yet thrilling arcade-style experience that could rival established titles without relying on large-scale budgets or teams. The project's core concept centered on delivering high-fidelity flight combat simulations emphasizing visual spectacle, intense dogfights, and player-driven agency in mission outcomes, all built using the Unreal Engine 4 to keep costs manageable for an indie production. The game's design drew heavily from influential arcade flight simulators and action titles, particularly the series, which inspired its fast-paced, mission-based structure and emphasis on cinematic set pieces. Rahmani has cited the thrill of flying and combat in fighter jets from films like as a key influence, aiming to capture the feeling of being a top ace pilot. Early prototypes focused on innovative features to boost replayability and reduce development overhead, including procedural mission generation to create varied objectives and enemy behaviors dynamically. Dynamic weather systems were also prototyped from the outset, allowing environmental factors like storms or fog to alter combat dynamics and encourage multiple playthroughs of missions. These elements stemmed from Rahmani's goal to craft a game that felt expansive despite its solo origins, blending scripted events with . The tonal influences blended military realism with speculative , aiming to evoke epic, alternate-history wars while grounding them in jet fighter mechanics, creating a world where technological escalation drives both plot and tension. Rahmani's vision was to homage these sources by prioritizing emotional highs in battles—such as defending allies or toppling colossal foes—over rote accuracy.

Production and challenges

Project Wingman was developed using 4, which handled the game's visuals, including advanced lighting for cockpits, shaders for environmental effects like on the canopy, and automatic level-of-detail generation for expansive terrains generated via height maps. The core flight physics were custom-coded by lead developer Abi Rahmani to provide maneuverable with authentic behaviors, such as deep rumbling audio cues near the ground and speed-enhanced , while prioritizing arcade-style fun over full complexity. This coding effort spanned approximately five years, beginning as a solo prototype in 2015 and evolving through iterative testing until the 2020 release. The development faced significant challenges due to limited resources as an indie project, with Rahmani initially handling programming, , , texturing, and other aspects largely alone, relying on online tutorials to bridge skill gaps. This constrained budget led to practical measures like asset optimization and community-sourced contributions to avoid full-scale recreation of every element, while balancing accessible arcade controls against simulation-inspired realism proved difficult, as the team aimed to make flight feel responsive and engaging without simulator-level intricacy. optimization for PC hardware was another hurdle, particularly in rendering large-scale air battles and detailed landscapes without compromising frame rates. To address these issues, the team expanded from Rahmani as a solo developer to the small studio Sector D2, incorporating writer and producer Matthew Nguyen, composer José Pavli, and volunteers for art, sound design, and playtesting. Crowdfunding via in 2018 raised AU$114,544 from over 2,400 backers, funding music production, , and general development to sustain the small team without stretch goals, though potential delays were noted as a risk. Key milestones included alpha builds released on starting in 2016, with ongoing patches through 2018 incorporating early tester input on flight feel and mission design. Beta testing occurred via opt-in in late 2020, allowing community feedback to refine mechanics, UI elements, and balance before the full launch, ensuring iterations addressed issues like camera sway and mission pacing.

Audio and music

The original score for Project Wingman was composed by French musician Pavli, blending orchestral elements like solo and with electronic synths and brass to evoke the game's themes of freedom and industrial conflict. Pavli crafted over 50 musical cues across the base game and expansions, with the main campaign featuring 40 tracks that build tension through multiple climaxes tailored to mission dynamics, such as escalating brass during intense dogfights. Leitmotifs recur for key characters and factions, evolving from lighter instrumentation in early missions to darker, more ominous tones as the narrative darkens, ensuring a cohesive auditory identity. The Frontline 59 expansion integrates an additional 18-track soundtrack by Pavli, seamlessly extending the base game's audio style with new cues that sync to the DLC's survival-focused missions, available as a standalone purchase on platforms like . Dynamic radio chatter provides immersive pilot dialogue throughout missions, featuring context-sensitive lines for wingmen, enemies, and AWACS that react to combat events like missile locks or formation breaks. The voice cast includes professional actors such as as General Faust, as Wild Boar and Ronin Actual, Amanda Hufford as K-9C Cobb, and Ben Balmaceda as Hitman 2, delivering authentic military-style banter over distorted radio filters. Sound effects for jet engines, explosions, and weaponry contribute to the atmosphere, with realistic roars and impact booms layered to emphasize scale during large-scale battles. Audio assets evolved through iterative development, starting with placeholder sounds and music during early prototypes before Pavli's full score and polished effects were implemented post-Kickstarter funding to align with the final narrative and gameplay pacing.

Release

Launch and platforms

Project Wingman launched on December 1, 2020, as a full release exclusively for personal computers via Steam. The base game was priced at $24.99 USD, positioning it as an accessible entry in the flight action genre. At launch, the title supported Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) systems, with optimizations aimed at mid-range hardware to ensure broad compatibility without requiring high-end components. Minimum requirements included an Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD FX-6350 processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti or AMD Radeon R9 270 graphics, and 16 GB of storage space. Recommended specifications called for an Intel Core i7-8600k processor, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti graphics to achieve smoother performance during intense aerial battles. No console versions were available initially, limiting availability to PC players. Marketing for the release emphasized through digital channels, including a series of developer devlogs on and that showcased gameplay progress and aircraft mechanics to build hype. Promotional trailers, such as the official 2020 reveal, highlighted dynamic dogfights and mission variety, driving Steam wishlisting ahead of launch. A free demo tied to the 2018 campaign had earlier garnered positive attention for its polished flight model and arcade-style combat, helping establish early interest. The launch included day-one updates to resolve initial technical issues, such as mission sequence repetitions and object spawning glitches, ensuring stability for players from the outset. Developers acknowledged a "bumpy" debut in post-release reports, committing to rapid fixes for AI behaviors and control responsiveness in subsequent patches rolled out within the first week.

Expansions and updates

Following the initial PC launch, Project Wingman received its first console port on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on October 28, 2021, making the full campaign and Conquest mode available on Microsoft's platforms through the Xbox Store and Game Pass. The game expanded to PlayStation 5 on October 3, 2023, via Humble Games, introducing enhanced graphics and DualSense support alongside the exclusive Frontline 59 DLC. This paid expansion, priced at $4.99 on PC upon its later release, adds a self-contained campaign of six missions depicting the Magadan Front from the viewpoint of a Pacific Federation reserve pilot, emphasizing intense aerial and ground-based engagements with familiar aircraft loadouts. The DLC launched exclusively for PS5 and PSVR2, with VR compatibility for immersive cockpit views, before porting to Steam and GOG.com on December 1, 2024. Free updates have sustained the title through balance adjustments, bug fixes, and quality-of-life enhancements. Notable patches include early post-launch fixes in 2020 for mission stability and audio issues, followed by the comprehensive Platform Update 2.0 in late 2024, which refined controls, AI behaviors, and cross-platform optimizations alongside the PC DLC release. These efforts extended into 2025 with minor patches addressing compatibility for user modifications and residual bugs, ensuring ongoing support without additional content drops.

Modding support

Project Wingman features built-in mod support through a dedicated "~mods" folder in the game's installation directory, enabling players to load custom content such as aircraft reskins, sound packs, and mission alterations without altering core files. This structure leverages the game's underlying 4.24 framework, allowing community modders to utilize official tools like the Unreal Engine editor for creating and packaging assets, including custom missions and models. While no dedicated SDK was formally released, modders access the engine's capabilities via the Launcher to match the game's version, facilitating advanced modifications like texture replacements and behavior tweaks. The modding community has flourished on platforms like , where over 560 mods were available as of late 2025, ranging from simple reskins to complex overhauls. Notable examples include the Project Sicario Merger (PSM), a tool that combines multiple mods—such as skin packs and performance patches—into a single compatible package, reducing conflicts and enhancing stability. Popular content also encompasses -inspired reskins, like those recreating liveries from Ace Combat Zero, and audio mods replicating the Vulcan cannon sounds from Ace Combat Assault Horizon for a more cinematic feel. Total conversions, such as user-created campaigns that blend elements from the series into Project Wingman's world, have further expanded variety, with some mods introducing entirely new and mission structures. Developers at Sector D2 have shown support for the scene by integrating features that ease and by highlighting ongoing work on tools to empower users. In a 2023 anniversary update announcement, lead developer RB-D2 noted progress on a mission editor prototype, signaling intent to provide official means for custom content beyond basic file swaps, though no full release has occurred as of 2025. Community tools like the mod manager extension further streamline installation, automating deployment of Nexus-hosted files while preserving the game's integrity. These efforts have extended the game's longevity, with mods sustaining player engagement years after launch by offering fresh challenges and aesthetic options. However, modding faces hurdles, particularly with game updates and platform restrictions. Major patches, such as the Platform Update 2.0 in December 2024 that upgraded the engine to Unreal 4.27, rendered many pre-existing mods incompatible, requiring community rework for features like custom aircraft stats and levels. Compatibility with the Frontlines 59 expansion remains inconsistent, as some mods explicitly support its new assets while others cause crashes or visual glitches when loaded alongside DLC content. Console versions on and lack mod support entirely due to closed ecosystems, limiting advanced customization to PC players and confining console users to official content. Despite these issues, the active community continues to update popular packs, ensuring remains a viable way to refresh the experience.

Reception

Critical response

Project Wingman received generally favorable reviews from critics, earning a Metacritic score of 75 based on four critic reviews for the PC version. The game was praised for its thrilling dogfighting mechanics and strong value as an indie title, with PC Gamer awarding it 78 out of 100 and highlighting its "arcade purity" in delivering fast-paced aerial combat reminiscent of classic flight action games. Similarly, TheGamer gave it 8 out of 10, commending the satisfying combat encounters, challenging enemy AI on higher difficulties, and innovative elements like the roguelite Conquest mode that extended replayability. Critics frequently lauded the game's , particularly the spectacle of massive boss battles and large-scale fleet engagements, which showcased the indie studio Sector D2's ambition despite its small team size. These elements created a sense of epic scale, with explosions and environmental destruction adding to the immersive chaos of missions. However, reviewers noted weaknesses in mission structure, describing many as repetitive "go here, shoot things" objectives that lacked variety after the initial hours. The narrative was also critiqued for insufficient depth, offering a straightforward conflict story without the cinematic flair or character development seen in established series like . The Frontline 59 expansion, released in 2023 for and 2024 for PC, fared similarly well, achieving a score of 75 based on 12 critic reviews. It was lauded for introducing expanded mission variety through new campaigns and enhancing the mode with additional strategic layers, providing fresh challenges for veteran players. The integration of support was highlighted as a bold addition, bringing arcade flight combat into immersive for select missions. That said, critics pointed out the expansion's short length, especially in VR where only a portion of content is accessible, limiting its overall impact. Coverage for the console releases on in 2021 and in 2022 averaged around 75 on , reflecting adaptations for controller-based flight controls that smoothed arcade handling but introduced minor precision issues compared to mouse-and-keyboard setups on PC. Publications like PlayStation Universe noted the ports' solid in capturing airborne thrills, though graphical fidelity in VR modes drew mixed feedback due to performance trade-offs. Overall, the console versions were seen as accessible entry points for newcomers, maintaining the core spectacle while underscoring the game's enduring appeal as an underdog in the genre.

Commercial performance

Project Wingman achieved significant commercial success as an independent title, selling over 500,000 copies by 2023 and surpassing 600,000 units across platforms by late 2025. The game reached a peak of 2,113 concurrent players on during its launch week in December 2020, reflecting strong initial interest. Revenue estimates for the base game and associated DLC total approximately $10.8 million in gross earnings, with the figure bolstered by frequent discounts and bundles on that drove additional sales volume. The Frontline-59 Campaign DLC, released in late 2023 for consoles and 2024 for PC, generated around €294,000 in gross revenue in its first year, equivalent to roughly 60,000 units at its $4.99 price point. Console ports for /Series X|S in 2021 and /5 in 2023 expanded accessibility beyond PC, contributing an estimated 20% to total sales through broader market reach. The game's "Very Positive" rating of 93.9% has supported ongoing word-of-mouth promotion, sustaining sales momentum through 2025.

Community impact

Project Wingman has cultivated a vibrant and engaged fanbase, particularly within the niche of arcade flight simulators, evidenced by its accumulation of over 20,000 user reviews on , where it holds a "Very Positive" overall rating based on sustained player feedback. This level of interaction underscores the game's with players, many of whom its homage to classic titles in the genre while appreciating its indie polish and replayability through modes like . The community's enthusiasm has extended the game's lifespan beyond its initial release, with players actively discussing strategies, sharing gameplay footage, and organizing informal challenges on platforms like . The modding community represents a key pillar of Project Wingman's ongoing impact, transforming the base game into a customizable experience. Over 560 mods are hosted on , including popular additions such as custom aircraft skins, weapon rebalancers like the Standard Missiles Multi-Lock Mod, and expansions for takeoff and landing scenarios, which have collectively garnered thousands of downloads and endorsements from users. While began as a community-driven effort using tools like Vortex extensions and the game's ~mods folder structure, Sector D2 has signaled official support through planned (UGC) features, including Workshop integration and a mission editor , as detailed in developer updates on . This progression highlights how player creativity has influenced development priorities, fostering a collaborative that enhances and content variety. Fan contributions have further enriched the game's cultural footprint, with community-generated art and lore analyses amplifying its narrative depth. A Project Wingman Artbook was planned as a 237-page digital reward for backers, featuring commissioned illustrations, plane schematics, and six short stories that expand on the in-universe lore, directly responding to backer interest during the 2017 campaign which raised AU$114,544 from 2,467 supporters, but has not been released. Elements like named squadrons in the game—drawing from backers and early community members—serve as acknowledgments of this support, embedding fan involvement into the core experience. Such initiatives have solidified Project Wingman's status as a community-sustained title, bridging indie development with participatory engagement.

References

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