Comanche Gold

Game Detail

Amazon.com

The Comanche series of helicopter games has always provided just the right mix of simulation and arcade gameplay to provide huge doses of adrenaline-charged action. Now, with the release of Comanche Gold, players new to the series along with seasoned veterans can pilot the Army’s premier attack helicopter through nine campaigns and a variety of single missions. One of these new campaigns is entirely new, and if that’s not enough you can use the new mission creator to make your own missions. Other enhancements over Comanche 3 include new graphics that incorporate weather effects, a loadout screen for arming the chopper, and wingmen who react better when the action heats up.
Helicopters are all about down-in-the-weeds flying, and it is here that Comanche Gold really delivers. The terrain modeling is spectacular, capable of rendering lush valleys, rolling hills, jagged mountains, and everything in between. Few gaming experiences compare to ducking into a steep canyon, threading your way through at over 100 mph to shake a pursuing enemy, then suddenly bursting out into a clearing packed with enemy soldiers who send a barrage of tracers crisscrossing past your now exposed chopper. The terrain is somewhat pixelated, but the tradeoff in terms of accurate elevation changes more than makes up for this flaw. Few arcade-oriented simulations of any type can compare to Comanche Gold in terms of pure fun, and the strategy guide included with this package is a nice bonus. –T. Byrl Baker
Pros: Realistic elevation changes in the terrain are fun to fly through Arcadelike flight model is among the best of its kind Target-rich environments make for nonstop action Cons: Graphics are showing their age