Apache, The Combat Helicopter Simulation

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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:

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.

Breakdown:

Fun Factor 4
Graphics 3
Sound 4
Interface 3
Replayability 3

Overall Score: