So... I tried it, and yep, I love it! Brings back lots of memories while being something slightly different of course because I had never played this DOS version before. In case there is anyone who is, like I was, clinging to (or wanting to cling to) their memories of Amiga K.O.T.S and has doubts about this version, I say go for it! Especially if you have a joy/flight-stick
And I concur with the opinions and points offered by all who've posted above.
Gameplay
I haven't tried the career mode yet; just the training, so based on these impressions so far...
The frame-rate is much better than how I remember the Amiga version being. Plus, the ability to use an analogue joystick gives DOS K.O.T. S. the instant edge. See, my memories of the Amiga version involve playing it on a standard 'clicky' 8-way, digital joystick (mouse control was awful), so this gives the game a new lease of life for me personally. This version handles brilliantly. It feels satisfying and very precise. The smoother frame-rate helps a lot in this regard too!
Winner=DOS
Graphics
DOS K.O.T.S has a different palette - a technically better palette than that which the Amiga version used (going from my memory and viewing videos and screenshots of that version at least).
'Artistically' (if you like), it's a matter of preference. Though DOS K.O.T.S has a busier palette with - I'm sure - more colours, Amiga K.O.T. S was maybe brighter/more colourful, or rather, more contrasted. DOS is more subtle. Aesthetically then, it's a matter of personal preference, but the PC version is definitely technically better. One thing though: Maybe I need to experience more of the game and try out all the planes, but so far I haven't noticed the wing visible at the top of the screen in cockpit view in this version. If it is absent though, that's no bad thing as it increases your view. Maybe it was a trick in the Amiga version to limit the visible amount of 3D that was rendered so it strains the system less? Another thing: I remember there being little hills (well, pointy looking things that represented hills) in the Amiga version. So far, I haven't seen these here in the DOS one. Are they absent? No big deal really if they are. Overall, the PC handles the 3D quite a bit better than the Amiga did with this one.
Winner= Objectively, this (DOS) version mainly for its superior frame-rate.
Of course the graphics have aged (in both versions) - which is not helped by 'blowing up' an old game on a modern display it was never designed for - but this is par for the course and I knew that going in or I wouldn't be on GOG ;)
Besides, there are renderers and filters for that; with some experimentation the image can be cleaned up somewhat.
Sound.
In the DOS version, the engine sound, bullets and bangs don't sound as realistic as in the Amiga version, but they still sound okay in their own right with quite crunchy guns (though that engine does sound a bit like a flatulent duck in this one) :D
Note: As per KajQrd's suggestion above, the emulated Adlib is the best choice of emulated sound card for this game. Experimenting, I tried one of the others (I forget) and my resulting bemusement quickly turned to hysterics as my bullets were made of pure music. I 'tuned' those "Fokkers" to death! (Talk about instruments of destruction). :P [*Edit* God, that was corny]. :O
My personal favourite was the accordion propeller :D
Winner= Amiga. Set it up correctly and the DOS version sounds fine, however, got to say the Amiga has the edge here, on a technical level at least.
Overall Winner...
Yes, this version is different. :) Hrrphrrgrr! Gah! Argh!... As a huge Amiga fan I must admit... hnngggaah! *mumbles under breath*... Better than the Amiga version dare I say? I do! :)
Really, I'm pleased it is. It's just nice to play this game again and whilst it's lost a little something due to time, the flightstick and superior FPS more than make up for that and actually make this version an improvement over my memories of playing it on the Amiga (I tried to remain objective, and hence removed my nostalgia of the Amiga version from the equation as best I could, of course).
Taking everything into account, and mainly for the fact the gameplay is better, the feel of it all is better, and therefore the fun factor is higher... I'd have to agree... DOS wins it for me too.
Glad I got this. Cheers all!
Post edited July 27, 2016 by RetroCodger426