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Review of Black Dawn on PlayStation

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Oct 1996
Cover image of Black Dawn on PlayStation
Gamefings Score: 7.5
Platform: PlayStation PlayStation logo
Released: 24 Oct 1996
Genre: Helicopter Combat Simulation
Developer: Black Ops Entertainment
Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment

Introduction

If you're looking for a game that will have you pulling your hair out while wondering why you just can't seem to aim properly with a helicopter, welcome to 'Black Dawn'! This helicopter-combat simulator hits the PlayStation like a missile—a fast-paced ride that might leave you feeling more like a kamikaze pilot than an ace flyer. So, buckle up as we dive into the challenges that await and the skills you need to survive the mayhem!

Gameplay

In 'Black Dawn,' players are thrust into the cockpit of a helicopter ace, answering the call of Operation Black Dawn—a top-secret black ops team tasked with battling nefarious terrorists. Set in the ominous era of 1998, your mission (which you’ll definitely accept whether you like it or not) is not just to shoot and destroy, but also to save hostages while dodging enemy fire. Think of it as trying to juggle bowling balls while riding a unicycle—through a war zone. The gameplay itself consists of seven campaigns across various locales, but don't let the different settings fool you; they all tend to become frustratingly similar when you're scrolling through a barrage of enemy fire. Each mission presents a mixture of search-and-destroy objectives, complete with those precious hostages just waiting for you to swoop in like a heroic duck (unless you're going in too fast and they meet a tragic end). This is where 'Black Dawn' truly shines: it’s all about getting the timing right. Dodging missiles? Practicing your evasions like a ballet dancer on a caffeine high is a must. But wait, there's more! Once you start blasting these poor enemies into oblivion, they may drop power-ups which you can grab—I mean, who thought bringing a helicopter to a power-up fight would be fun? You also get to try out a deathmatch mode, but it’s only available via some shifty cheat code. If you didn't already feel like a secret agent, now here’s your chance to cheat death… sort of.

Graphics

'Black Dawn' comes with graphics that, in 1996's standards, were quite spectacular, bless it. Everything is an explosion of colors and textures that sometimes feel like they were crafted by a kindergarten class. The detailed graphics and orchestral soundtracks give it a flair, but let's not kid ourselves—distance fog is ever-present, ready to murk up your visuals just like old-school Mario Kart racing. Ground textures may seem like the designers were running out of patience or perhaps took their artistry too literally because, honestly, they do resemble a watercolor painting done by a distracted artist. Fun fact, while your helicopter might be a marvel of technology, the graphics of the ground will make you question whether you landed on a potato field instead of a warzone.

Conclusion

Overall, 'Black Dawn' is a game that might make you feel like a millennial trying to understand their Gen Z relatives—confusing, challenging, but at the same time, oddly lovable. The game has its hiccups with controls that may throw you off like a rebellious teenager, especially when you think you've mastered the skies only to end up crashing into a burning heap of metal. Yet, if you’re up for the challenge and willing to invest time to sharpen your skills (and tolerate some graphical shenanigans), this helicopter combat sim might just be the video game that takes you higher than your last search for snacks at midnight. So, grab your controller, defy physics, and let the battles begin—because only the strongest shades of patience will survive the chaos that is 'Black Dawn'!

See Prices for Black Dawn on PlayStation on Ebay

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