Gunship 2000 (1993) 
| Details (Commodore Amiga) | Supported platforms | Artwork and Media | |
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| Publisher: Genre: Author(s): Minimum Memory Required: Maximum Players: Joysticks: Language: Media Code: Media Type: Country of Release: Related Titles: Other Files: Comments: |  Microprose Software LtdFlight Simulator Microprose Software Ltd 512K Yes Eng 3.5" Floppy disk USA Gunship Gunship 2000 AGA Patch v8.5 | Click to choose platform: Commodore Amiga IBM PC |
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Iss 49 Aug 1993 (Amiga Format) 5th Dec 2011 05:23Having already done flight simulations about hidden stealth (F19) and maximum overkill (F15), MicroProse’s latest helicopter sim is the greatest yet. Starting out as a lowly Warrant Officer candidate, you go through an entire career as an American Army helicopter pilot.
You can eventually command a squadron of four pilots on many different mission types. But first, though, you have to convince your superiors that you are up to the job. To start with, only training missions and single chopper flights are available. When you have clocked up enough points and decorations, and you are offered a commission.
Crashing choppers
Gunship 2000 has more than just gunships in it. They are no good for picking up troops or dropping off cargo. You can choose from seven different helicopter models, although some are reserved for the higher ranks. All of which makes for a long term game.
Choppers are notoriously difficult to fly, but you can make it as realistic or esy as you wish. ‘No Crashes’ is recommended unless you are very confident – there are no parachutes in a helicopter!
The music, sound and background graphics are of the highest standard. The intro is abysmal mind you, but there are plenty of more worthwhile features. The 3D graphics are truly excellent. Topological 3D is what MicroProse call it. Although most of the terrain is still flat, the hills and valleys really make the game, because helicopters operate at tree top height. The rivers flow between banks, and the railways go through tunnels in the hills, even on an A500. The A1200 is the preferred Amiga to play on – the game does not have 256 colours but it does use faster machines to the full.
Smooth operator
Everything moves very smoothly. Three different detail levels are available, as well as some fine tuning options like full distance 3D. This option occasionally results in your co-pilot/gunner (CP/G) doing what resembles a Max Headroom impression.
As your situation changes – a new target is acquired, or an incoming missile is detected – the CP/G tells you. When a lot of things happen at once, they just cannot keep up. The CP/G can also be set to activate your jammers or decoys and fire the weapons if you cannot handle the pace.
Talking of weapons, if you are bored of seeing a limited choice, this game has the lot. Cannons (different choppers have different types), Hellfires, Tow 2s, three kinds of Hydra Hellstreak are bundled for a very good measure. When commanding a flight, certain weapons and helicopters are not available – a neat (and demanding) touch. You have to be familiar with every weapon system in case your favourites are not in stock!
Missile with a view
There is a wide variety of opposition to fire weapons at, including several helicopters for some air-to-air combat. The outside views of these are most spectacular, especially when you switch from viewing a target to the view of a missile about to hit it. The view quickly, but smoothly, tracks from the target to the missile, turns 180 degrees and follows the missile.
Two campaign areas are included – Central Europe and Persian Gulf. Four additional areas are planned, but you will have to buy them separately. Needless to say, but the different terrain, targets and weather conditions do make for even more variety. Weather conditions also have an affect on weapons systems – laser-guided missiles like the Hellfire do not do nearly so well in fog or mist.
Playing from the four floppy disks rather than a hard disk (1.5 Mb of memory is needed for hard disk use) is not too bad – loading time is quite long, but the disks are asked for in sequence. Playing from a hard disk is not exactly snappy, either.
In fact, the game takes hours and hours to play properly. It is not just lots of disk activity – quite a few missions in which you get killed have to be erased and replayed just to get a commission, let alone a full 99-mission combat tour before a pilot is retired.
Gunship 2000 has many hooks and lures, which makes it horribly addictive. I have literally played it for days and nights on end, and anticipate playing it for many, many more. It is that special – not perfect, but certainly a game you can lose yourself in for weeks at a time before you even begin to master it.
Pat McDonald
Amiga Format, Issue 49, August 1993, p.p.90-91
HOW TO GET A PROMOTION
The key to the game is to keep completing your missions as quickly as possible. You can play Gunship 2000 as an arcade game, by setting training missions – on these, flak and missiles do not harm. However, training missions do not get you any points.
You can either keep playing as a Warrant Officer, on your own in your own chopper, or accept promotion. Personally, I find that flying single missions is more fun than commanding a flight, but true simulation fans will probably appreciate the extra challenge. You cannot jump into the cockpit of the helicopters under your command – you can only give them orders from the map screen.
Finally, you can select to play a campaign. This means commanding a flight over many missions, as a war ebbs and flows. Completing a campaign against elite troops with all the realism settings on will shoot you up the ranks. Maybe if you keep doing that, you will make it to Brigadier General.
Gunship 2000
MicroProse * £35.99
Excellent graphics to fly around, though and over.
Atmospheric missions, music and maps.
Lots of depth to really get your teeth into.
Realism options will suit flight sim buffs very well.
More campaign areas are on the way, to prolong what is already a long term game.
Verdict: 94%
You can eventually command a squadron of four pilots on many different mission types. But first, though, you have to convince your superiors that you are up to the job. To start with, only training missions and single chopper flights are available. When you have clocked up enough points and decorations, and you are offered a commission.
Crashing choppers
Gunship 2000 has more than just gunships in it. They are no good for picking up troops or dropping off cargo. You can choose from seven different helicopter models, although some are reserved for the higher ranks. All of which makes for a long term game.
Choppers are notoriously difficult to fly, but you can make it as realistic or esy as you wish. ‘No Crashes’ is recommended unless you are very confident – there are no parachutes in a helicopter!
The music, sound and background graphics are of the highest standard. The intro is abysmal mind you, but there are plenty of more worthwhile features. The 3D graphics are truly excellent. Topological 3D is what MicroProse call it. Although most of the terrain is still flat, the hills and valleys really make the game, because helicopters operate at tree top height. The rivers flow between banks, and the railways go through tunnels in the hills, even on an A500. The A1200 is the preferred Amiga to play on – the game does not have 256 colours but it does use faster machines to the full.
Smooth operator
Everything moves very smoothly. Three different detail levels are available, as well as some fine tuning options like full distance 3D. This option occasionally results in your co-pilot/gunner (CP/G) doing what resembles a Max Headroom impression.
As your situation changes – a new target is acquired, or an incoming missile is detected – the CP/G tells you. When a lot of things happen at once, they just cannot keep up. The CP/G can also be set to activate your jammers or decoys and fire the weapons if you cannot handle the pace.
Talking of weapons, if you are bored of seeing a limited choice, this game has the lot. Cannons (different choppers have different types), Hellfires, Tow 2s, three kinds of Hydra Hellstreak are bundled for a very good measure. When commanding a flight, certain weapons and helicopters are not available – a neat (and demanding) touch. You have to be familiar with every weapon system in case your favourites are not in stock!
Missile with a view
There is a wide variety of opposition to fire weapons at, including several helicopters for some air-to-air combat. The outside views of these are most spectacular, especially when you switch from viewing a target to the view of a missile about to hit it. The view quickly, but smoothly, tracks from the target to the missile, turns 180 degrees and follows the missile.
Two campaign areas are included – Central Europe and Persian Gulf. Four additional areas are planned, but you will have to buy them separately. Needless to say, but the different terrain, targets and weather conditions do make for even more variety. Weather conditions also have an affect on weapons systems – laser-guided missiles like the Hellfire do not do nearly so well in fog or mist.
Playing from the four floppy disks rather than a hard disk (1.5 Mb of memory is needed for hard disk use) is not too bad – loading time is quite long, but the disks are asked for in sequence. Playing from a hard disk is not exactly snappy, either.
In fact, the game takes hours and hours to play properly. It is not just lots of disk activity – quite a few missions in which you get killed have to be erased and replayed just to get a commission, let alone a full 99-mission combat tour before a pilot is retired.
Gunship 2000 has many hooks and lures, which makes it horribly addictive. I have literally played it for days and nights on end, and anticipate playing it for many, many more. It is that special – not perfect, but certainly a game you can lose yourself in for weeks at a time before you even begin to master it.
Pat McDonald
Amiga Format, Issue 49, August 1993, p.p.90-91
HOW TO GET A PROMOTION
The key to the game is to keep completing your missions as quickly as possible. You can play Gunship 2000 as an arcade game, by setting training missions – on these, flak and missiles do not harm. However, training missions do not get you any points.
You can either keep playing as a Warrant Officer, on your own in your own chopper, or accept promotion. Personally, I find that flying single missions is more fun than commanding a flight, but true simulation fans will probably appreciate the extra challenge. You cannot jump into the cockpit of the helicopters under your command – you can only give them orders from the map screen.
Finally, you can select to play a campaign. This means commanding a flight over many missions, as a war ebbs and flows. Completing a campaign against elite troops with all the realism settings on will shoot you up the ranks. Maybe if you keep doing that, you will make it to Brigadier General.
Gunship 2000
MicroProse * £35.99
Excellent graphics to fly around, though and over.
Atmospheric missions, music and maps.
Lots of depth to really get your teeth into.
Realism options will suit flight sim buffs very well.
More campaign areas are on the way, to prolong what is already a long term game.
Verdict: 94%
(Anonymous) (Unknown) 24th Nov 2010 10:41
(Anonymous) (Unknown) 22nd May 2011 02:45| Cheats | Trivia |
|---|---|
| There are no cheats on file for this title. | No trivia on file for this title. |
History
This title was first added on 15th March 2007
This title was most recently updated on 29th January 2018