Developed by a single developer and published by MicroProse, Tiny Combat Arena is getting a lot of attention right now thanks to its retro art style and simple but realistic physics and combat systems. It’s just released today on Steam so let’s have a look!
Head into the arena




I’ve been following the progress of Why485 on Twitter for a long time watching the constant stream of updates as this lone developer worked on a passion project to bring to life a retro style combat flight sim. Tiny Combat Arena is the culmination of that effort and it’s out today in early access.
The early access version has one flyable aircraft, a Harrier, along with several friendly and enemy aircraft, ground vehicles, and scenery. There are a couple of dogfight arena and quick action modes available that will get you into the battle quickly. Tiny Combat Arena has support for joystick and HOTAS setups as well as gamepads and mouse and keyboard. TrackIR is supported too.
Here’s the official base feature list:
- One flyable aircraft (AV8B)
- One instant action map
- One Arena map/scenario
- Limited, but representative set of 5 weapons
- Limited, but representative presets for loadouts
The early access period is intended to enable Why485 to add more content and refine already developed features. In the spirit of that early access launch, Tiny Combat Arena comes to us on sale with a 30% discount at $13.99 USD. Interested? Check it out on Steam!
My entire passion for flying was cultivated by these “real feeling” but easy to learn flight sims from the late 80s/early 90s. I often wonder if I had instead grow up in today’s era of ultra-realistic flight sims if I would have ended up on the same career path.
Yet now I wonder if such a simplistic game will hold my interest today. Based on the early steam reviews, the prognosis is good.
LikeLike
Reminds me a bit of A-10 Cuba, which I had a ton of fun with. It looks retro cool, but I’m not sure I’d go ten-minutes with it before wanting my DCS Harrier back.
LikeLike
It would be nice to have old Microprose simulators like F-19 remastered using this engine. The early access was fun as well.
LikeLike