Target Locked!
A Review of Apache, The Combat Helicopter Simulation
Trey Murff
I recently played Apache, Interactive Magic's AH-64D Apache
helicopter simulator. I had been anxiously waiting for it
since news started to leak over a year ago. The waiting was
rough and my expectations were quite high, so I may have
been setting myself up for a let-down. However, this was not
the case. Although I some gripes about Apache, I highly
recommend it.
The installation of Apache is straight forward and gives you the choice of Min (25MB Disk Usage), Med (50MB Disk Usage), or Max (65MB Disk Usage). I initially did a minimum installation and shortly decided to change to the Max installation. My system, a 486DX2/80 with 12MB RAM and a 2x Cdrom, took too long loading on the Min installation. After reinstalling at Max and running smartdrv with 1024 cache, the missions' loading times were cut by at least two thirds.
The simulation supports Thrustmaster, CH Products, and Gravis controls. This includes flight sticks, throttles and rudder pedals. The game also comes with pre-done configuration files for the different controllers. These were ok, but like usual I modified mine to make it more intuitive (at least for me :).
Apache also supports 2 flight models: Realistic and Arcade
mode. It is much more difficult to actually fly into the
ground in Arcade mode than it is in Realistic.
I would suggest that if you are not familiar with other helicopter
simulations, like Gunship 2000 or the original Gunship, that
you learn to operate the different systems in Arcade mode.
Then, when you are comfortable, switch to realistic. It adds
a whole new dimension to the game. You can even do full
loops and rolls!
What's most impressive about Apache is the attention to detail. Not screen detail necessarily (although it plays well in 640x480 on my system) but the detail of the simulated environment. There are ground vehicles of all kinds moving about, friendly and enemy aircraft entering the area, tanks shooting at other tanks, and you even have to distinguish between friendly and enemy forces. You get the feeling you are actually part of the battle. It's great!
Apache gives you the opportunity to fly quickstart (arcade
style), individual, campaign, and multiplayer missions. The
individual missions consist of a number of scenarios in 3
different areas of the world. Although the missions are
canned, each provides you with the opportunity to try a
number of different tactics.
The graphics are good and I am impressed with the speed at
which it runs in 640x480.
However, the terrain can get a
little boring at times and I have heard quite a few people
complain about the exploding trees (this really doesn't
detract from the game for me).
Apache models having a gunner on board. You can switch between the pilot and gunner positions or play as a team with someone over a modem or IPX network. The gunner looks through a TADS eyepiece(virtual of course :) and can aim the weapons independent of the flight path. The TADS has different zoom modes that unfortunately need some work. The effect of the zoom is one you would expect moving the view point not one of increasing magnification. What this allows you to do is look through hills. If you are hovering in front of a hill (where you can't see the other side) enter TADS and zoom in. Now you are able to see units on the other side.
I also tried two player Apache over the modem and over the Internet with a program called Kali. Two player over the modem was very choppy (even with both of us setting details all the way down). The pilot/gunner and leader/wingmen options were fun but only for a short while. With the chop and the fact that you can not chat with the other players (at least I was unable to discern a way), we quickly lost interest. I heard in the flight sims news group that 57,600 Direct Connect works pretty good but I have not tried it myself. I would expect that IPX would give you the best chance of a playable game(Doh!), and I look forward to trying Apache at our next local drag-your-PC-to-Tom's-house network computer gaming party :)
I really hesitate giving Apache an overall rating of a 3.
Had the modem play or TADS worked better, I would have
certainly given it a 4. I still look forward to flying
against multiple opponents at our next network party and I
will continue to test Apache with Kali. Kali (check out my
Multiplayer Mayhem column for more info) may support more
than 2 players with Apache especially if used over a direct
Internet Connection.
Enjoy Apache and make sure you check it out in realistic mode. It's a BLAST!
Gamer's Zone Scorecard
| Product: |
Apache, The Combat Helicopter Simulation |
| Company: |
Developed by Digital Integration,
|
| Cost: |
$44.95 |
System Requirements:
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.
MSDOS 5.0, 486SX/33 Mhz Processor,
8 MB RAM, Double Speed CD-ROM drive,
VESA local bus or PCI Video Card,
Microsoft Compatible Mouse,
Sound Blaster compatible sound card,
Joystick highly recommended.
Breakdown:
Fun Factor 4
Graphics 3
Sound 4
Interface 3
Replayability 3
Overall Score:
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