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Thunder Helix

95%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
replayability, music
95% User Score Based on 218 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $19.99
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About

Thunder Helix is a helicopter combat game set in a desert warzone, featuring a campaign mode with various objectives and multiple helicopters to pilot. Missions take place in different times of the day and offer the option to pick up ammo, fuel, and rescue friendlies. The game features crisp graphics with flight control options including game controller, flight joystick, mouse, and keyboard. Look out for explosive camels!

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot
Thunder Helix screenshot

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 218 reviews
story10 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Thunder Helix is a nostalgic throwback to classic 90s flight simulators, capturing the essence of games like LHX and Desert Strike with modern enhancements.
  • The game features intuitive controls and charming retro graphics, making it easy to pick up and play while still providing a fun challenge.
  • Despite being in early access with limited content, players are excited about the potential for future updates and additional missions, praising the developer's dedication and passion for the project.
  • Currently, the game only offers one campaign mission, which limits replayability and raises concerns about the pace of content updates.
  • Some players find the flight model to be overly simplistic and lacking the depth of more serious flight simulators, which may disappoint veterans of the genre.
  • There are reports of control sensitivity issues and a lack of a tutorial, making it challenging for new players to fully grasp the gameplay mechanics.
  • story
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect currently features a limited amount of content, with only one campaign mission and a free flight scenario available at launch. Players express excitement for future updates, including additional missions and a mission editor, while noting the potential for replayability through different helicopter choices and mission approaches. Overall, the community is optimistic about the game's development and the depth that future content could bring.

    • “The gameplay loop is straight from the strike series; campaigns (there's only one at the time of this review) are a single flight broken into a series of mission objectives.”
    • “Currently there's 1 campaign mission (it's desert strike-style so there's multiple objectives with different types of targets all over the place), a free-flight practice scenario, 3 helicopters, so there's a decent taste of what's to come, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing this one develop.”
    • “Taking off from a ship, like in Merlin, coming in over the coastline like in F-19, low in the desert, like Desert Strike, doing missions like in Gunship... everything just comes together perfectly.”
    • “Only a single mission to play.”
    • “Yes, it's early access, but it is currently one mission with no randomization or anything to add replayability.”
    • “If that's a problem for you then you might want to wait, but in my opinion, the only thing the game needs is more missions to play through.”
  • graphics
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are celebrated for their nostalgic, retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the charm of early 90s DOS-era visuals with crisp VGA and EGA modes at a resolution of 320x200. Players appreciate the simplicity and authenticity of the graphics, which evoke fond memories of classic flight simulators and tactical games, making it a delightful experience for fans of old-school gaming. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous and clean, successfully recreating the look and feel of beloved titles from the past.

    • “Thunder Helix effortlessly re-creates the feel of these early 90's games down to the mock DOS prompt startup screens and the bright chunky VGA (or EGA!) graphics.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous if you are into this art style, and I'm still undecided if I like the EGA or the VGA graphics better.”
    • “It really nails the authentic 320x200 VGA/EGA DOS game look, and the vector environment graphics are just pure nostalgia.”
    • “The graphics are made in a late-80's, early-90's style and totally nail the aesthetic.”
    • “A 1-1 recreation of old EA titles, a high fidelity helicopter sim with retro aesthetics, a challenging masterclass in old school tactical sims... no.”
    • “Graphics are crisp VGA (256 color) or EGA (16 color) modes rendered in a whopping 320x200 resolution (the image is upscaled to your monitor resolution, so no need to worry if your display actually supports 320x200).”
  • gameplay
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Thunder Helix is engaging and reminiscent of the Desert Strike series, featuring a central campaign where players launch from a warship and tackle various objectives in a flexible order. Players can pilot different helicopters, each offering unique gameplay experiences, and the controls and mechanics are praised for their quality and ease of use. However, some users noted a lack of clarity regarding certain gameplay elements, such as rearming and refueling.

    • “The central campaign gameplay loop of Thunder Helix closely follows the same model as Desert Strike - you launch from a warship offshore in your helicopter of choice and proceed into an area of operations where there are several objectives that you can choose to largely tackle in any order.”
    • “The gameplay loop is straight from the Strike series; campaigns (there's only one at the time of this review) are a single flight broken into a series of mission objectives.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it takes the free-form parts of Desert Strike and combines it with the sim aspects of Gunship 2000, LHX, and Thunderhawk.”
    • “I wish there was a little bit more information on gameplay; I spent 30 minutes trying to figure out how to rearm/refuel because I thought the ammo crates and fuel barrels were enemy targets.”
    • “The gameplay loop is straight from the strike series; campaigns (there's only one at the time of this review) are a single flight broken into a series of mission objectives.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it takes the free-form parts of Desert Strike and combines them with the sim aspects of Gunship 2000, LHX, and Thunderhawk.”
  • replayability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Despite being in early access with only two missions, the game offers significant replayability through its three distinct helicopters, each requiring different strategies and approaches. Players can experiment with various mission tactics, such as altering flight paths and utilizing different choppers, while a motivating highscore system further enhances the replay value. Overall, the combination of diverse gameplay options and helicopter characteristics provides a solid foundation for replayability.

    • “If you're concerned about replayability, don't be. Think about all of the different ways you can accomplish a mission - waypoints in reverse, other helicopters, flying low/high, etc.”
    • “Also, there's lots of replay value with three different helicopters that require different approaches to the missions and a surprisingly motivating high score system.”
    • “Yes, it's early access, but it is currently one mission with no randomization or anything to add replayability.”
    • “On launch, this has only 2 missions, a free flight and a single campaign mission, but with 3 flyable helicopters that all fly and fight pretty differently, giving some replay value even with just the 2 missions available.”
    • “If you're concerned about replayability, don't be; think about all of the different ways you can accomplish a mission - waypoints in reverse, other helicopters, flying low/high, etc.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing presence of camels, particularly during the "camel party" on the destroyer, which adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players find the winching mechanics to be both fun and satisfying, contributing to an enjoyable learning experience for new helicopter pilots without the stress of crashing. Overall, the game's aesthetic and comedic elements effectively enhance the overall experience.

    • “The winching is hilariously fun and satisfying when you're able to do them really quickly.”
    • “I love the aesthetic; the first campaign shows what this game is about super well, and the camels are hilarious.”
    • “If you're new to flying helicopters, this is actually a big pro, as you can have fun and learn how to fly a heli without the fear of crashing the second you just look funny at the cyclic.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is minimal, aligning with its 90s pseudo-simulation style, but it effectively utilizes OPL2 sound, appealing to fans of Adlib and Sound Blaster FM chips. Overall, while the music may not be prominent, it complements the game's nostalgic aesthetic and is well-executed within the context of its design.

    • “Controls, game mechanics, sound effects, music, and UI are all very well done, and the game is really easy to get into.”
    • “Music is based on OPL2, so if you're familiar with AdLib or Sound Blaster FM chip, you will feel right at home.”
    • “Almost no music, but this is a 90s pseudosim, so that's kinda on-brand.”
    • “Music is based on OPL2, so if you're familiar with Adlib or Sound Blaster FM chip, you will feel right at home.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly and effectively on the Steam Deck, successfully evoking nostalgic memories. Stability appears to be a strong point, with no significant issues noted.

    • “Runs great and evokes all the right memories.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”

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