Apache, The Combat Helicopter Simulation

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 640×480 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 640×480.

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, Published by Interactive Magic

Cost:

$44.95

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.