Thunder Helix
- March 21, 2024
- David Walters
Get on SteamThunder 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!
Reviews
- Thunder Helix is a nostalgic throwback to classic 90s flight simulators, capturing the essence of games like LHX and Desert Strike with charming retro graphics.
- The gameplay is fun and accessible, with intuitive controls that allow players to easily pick up and enjoy the experience, even if they are not familiar with flight sims.
- The developer shows a strong commitment to improving the game, with a roadmap for future content and updates that promise to expand the gameplay experience.
- Currently, the game is limited in content, featuring only one campaign mission and lacking replayability, which may disappoint players looking for more substantial gameplay.
- Some players have reported issues with the helicopter controls feeling sluggish or unresponsive, which can detract from the overall flying experience.
- As an early access title, there are concerns about the pace of updates and the potential for the game to stagnate without significant new content in the near future.
- story41 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect currently features a limited selection of missions, with only one campaign mission and a free-flight scenario available at launch. While players express excitement for future content, including a mission editor and additional missions, the current lack of variety and replayability has drawn some criticism. However, the potential for depth and varied gameplay with different helicopters is noted, leaving players hopeful for future updates.
“The demo mission has some good variety to it, with tanks, SAMs, an enemy helicopter, and moving targets in a convoy.”
“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, and 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.”
“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.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are celebrated for their nostalgic retro aesthetic, reminiscent of early 90s DOS-era visuals, including charming 320x200 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 retro 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.”
“Glorious 320x200 polygon graphics.”
“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.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Thunder Helix is characterized by a central campaign loop reminiscent of the Desert Strike series, allowing players to launch from a warship and tackle various objectives in a flexible order. Players can choose from different helicopters, each offering unique gameplay experiences, and the controls are praised for their responsiveness. While the gameplay is engaging and combines elements from classic titles, some users noted a lack of clarity regarding certain mechanics, 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.”
“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 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 and fuel barrels were enemy targets.”
“Gameplay-wise, it takes the free-form parts of Desert Strike and combines them with the sim aspects of Gunship 2000, LHX, and Thunderhawk.”
- humor4 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, as well as the satisfying and funny experience of winching. Overall, the game successfully combines fun and humor, making it accessible for newcomers.
“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 it really quickly.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
While the game currently offers limited content with only two missions, players appreciate the diverse approaches to completing objectives and the distinct mechanics of three different helicopters, which enhance replayability. The inclusion of a highscore system also adds motivation for players to revisit the missions. However, the lack of randomization and additional content in early access may restrict replay value in the short term.
“If you're concerned about replayability, don't be! Think about all the different ways you can accomplish a mission - waypoints in reverse, other helicopters, flying low/high, etc.”
“There's a lot of replay value with three different helicopters that require different approaches to the missions and a surprisingly motivating high score system.”
“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.”
“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.”
- stability2 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.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is minimal, which aligns with its 90s pseudo-simulation style, making it a fitting choice for the overall aesthetic.
“Almost no music, but this is a 90s pseudosim, so that's kinda on-brand.”
