Just the Meat, no Fat – Air Tycoon 2 Review

Perfect for casual gamers looking for tid-bits of entertainment to fill up any interval of time. This game has the core and essential strategy components of an airline business, without the mini-game or unnecessary micro-management of employees, marketing, logistics, etc. One part of the game that NEEDS improvement is the LOAN/M&A screen. When you take out a loan, the interest expense fluctuates because its linked to a changing interest rate. That's not how 99% of business loans work. The interest rate needs to be fixed. Next, the M&A is super basic. I'm not disappointed that the player can't structure the deal as a tax-deferred reorganization, but I am disappointed at the limited ways to take over the company. You can only borrow money from the bank and make an offer. At minimum, there should be an option to use the cash the takeover target company has available (and assets) as a basis for obtaining a higher loan from a bank (leveraged buyout). The bidding company should also be allowed to issue preferred shares or debt securities in order to raise the cash needed to take over the target. The bidding company should also just be able to buy a controlling interest in the target and own it as a subsidiary business. Lastly, in terms of financing, the player should be able to sell common shares, preferred shares, bonds, take out fixed interest rate loans, have a variable interest rate line of credit, and enter into partnership agreements with competing airlines. I think the key to unlocking the fun that's buried in this game is in the financing/M&A tab.
Review by alangadakis on Air Tycoon 2.