Thunder Helix

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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

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 109 reviews

story5 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

Thunder Helix is a nostalgic love letter to classic 90s flight simulators, successfully blending retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics.
The game features intuitive controls that are easy to pick up, making it accessible for both veterans of the genre and newcomers alike.
Despite being in early access with limited content, the game shows great potential for future updates and expansions, with a solid foundation and enjoyable gameplay.

Currently, the game offers only one campaign mission, which may lead to a lack of replayability and content for players in the early access phase.
Some players have reported that the flight model feels limited and arcade-like, which may not satisfy those looking for a more realistic simulation experience.
There is a noticeable absence of a tutorial or in-game guidance, which can make it challenging for new players to learn the controls and gameplay mechanics.

story
42 mentions
12 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
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 a mission editor and additional missions, while noting the potential for replayability through different helicopter choices and gameplay strategies. Overall, while the existing content is enjoyable, there is a strong desire for more missions to enhance the experience.
- “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.”
- “But I'm sensing some nostalgia misguiding these other reviews, as with only one campaign mission (as of writing) that lacks replayability with no variation in enemy placement or count.”
- “Yes, it's early access, but it is currently one mission with no randomization or anything to add replayability.”
- “Currently, there's only one 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, and three helicopters, so there's a decent taste of what's to come.”
graphics
25 mentions
28 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
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 styles. Players appreciate the simplicity and authenticity of the graphics, which evoke fond memories of classic flight simulators and tactical games. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous and nostalgic, appealing to fans of old-school gaming.
- “Love this game, it has an intuitive control scheme (once you get used to it) and the graphics, albeit simple, are charming.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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).”
- “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.”
gameplay
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
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 non-linear fashion. 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.
- “You get the complete bones, a glance at a very fun gameplay loop, and superb controls.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it takes the free-form parts of Desert Strike and combines it with the sim aspects of Gunship 2000, LHX, and Thunderhawk.”
- “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.”
- “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/fuel barrels were enemy targets.”
replayability
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers notable replayability through its three distinct helicopters, each requiring different strategies for mission completion, and a motivating highscore system. However, currently limited to two missions and lacking randomization, the replay value may feel constrained in its early access state. Overall, players can explore various approaches to missions, enhancing the experience despite the current content limitations.
- “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.”
- “For now, it features three different choppers, and they all have their own characteristics, which adds to the replayability a lot.”
- “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.”
- “For now, it features three different choppers and they all have their own characteristics which adds to the replayability a lot.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its whimsical elements, such as the amusing camel party on the destroyer and the overall aesthetic. Players find joy in the lighthearted approach to learning helicopter mechanics, with the winching mechanics adding a satisfying and funny twist to gameplay.
- “Also, the camel party on the destroyer is hilarious.”
- “I love the aesthetic; the first campaign shows what this game is about super well, and the camels are hilarious.”
- “The winching is hilariously fun and satisfying when you're able to do them really quickly.”
music
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
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 chip sounds. Overall, while the music may not be prominent, it complements the game's nostalgic aesthetic and enhances the overall experience.
- “Controls, game mechanics, sound effects, music, and UI are all very well done, and the game is really easy to get into.”
- “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
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly and effectively on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, successfully evoking nostalgic memories without significant stability issues.
- “Runs great and evokes all the right memories.”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”