Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector was the last good title, in my opinion, of the once great Jetfighter saga of combat simulation video games, the saga that got me into flight simulators way back in the early nineties.
Published in 2003, the game shows a substantial upgrade in graphics with brilliant colors, realistic (by the time) skies and clouds and weather effects, including fog and rain.
In terms of playability, this is the most “arcade” of the whole saga. Many aspects of the “simulation” commands and procedures were left out, including the take-off and landing from carriers, a very challenging and yet fun feature that made Jetfighter games famous.
But despite its lack of details in the “realistic” department, Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector still can be played as an actual flight simulation game with all the fun and maneuverability that comes with this kind of games.
Even though the game was released about two decades ago, it still can be installed and played in modern PC with the most recent version of Windows after some adjustments here and there.
Software needed
1. The game files: You can use your regular installation CD of the game or an .ISO image. As far as I know, the game could be in the “abandonware” category and the installation files can be downloaded from several website, among those sites are Archive.org and MyAbandonware.com.
2. No CD Patch: Once the game is installed, it will ask for the “game CD” to be active in the CD drive, but even with the .ISO file mounted, the game usually won’t work. This patch will fix this issue and can be downloaded from here.
Installation process
1. Insert the Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector installation CD in the CD drive or mount cd .ISO image of the game. Then open the Autorun file and press the “Install Game” button that will appear on the screen.
You will now enter the main installation program of the game. This is one of those “click Next and the Next” cases until the installation is done.
DO NOT run the game yet, we now need to install the Patch. Uncompress the No CD Patch .RAR file and look for the Game.exe archive.
3. Now copy the Game.exe file from the No CD Patch and overwrite the one located in the Jetfighter V installation folder. By default, the game is installed in the following folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Global Star Software\Jetfighter V
4. Final step. Right click on the game’s desktop shortcut and select the compatibility tab. Once there, set the Compatibility Mode to Windows XP (Service Pack 3) and select the Run this program as an administrator checkmark.
5. Enjoy flying Jetfighter V: Homeland Protector!
Jetfighter V multiplayer
Jetfighter V has the multiplayer feature available to use. I have personally tested the multiplayer through LAN option, and it works flawlessly. So, theoretically speaking, Jetfighter V can be played over the Internet if you run the game through a VPN service.
If you want to play this game using its multiplayer feature join The Jetfighter’s Discord Server and get in touch with the community to organize some online air battles and give this game, and other classic titles a new life!
