Introduction

Firestorm: Thunderhawk 2, or as it's known in North America, Thunderstrike 2, swooped into our gaming lives in 1995. If you ever thought piloting a fictional attack helicopter was a great idea, then this game is absolutely for you...though I highly recommend you not try this at home because aerial acrobatics and military missions might just be beyond your dad's SUV skills.

Gameplay

In Firestorm: Thunderhawk 2, you take control of the illustrious AH-73M helicopter. This fine piece of aviation machinery allows you to 'fly' around various parts of the globe, including the Panama Canal and South China Sea. No need to worry about those pesky flight lessons; your job is mostly about turning, altitudes, and making the enemy question their life choices. The game boasts eight exciting campaigns where things happen chronologically, which is just another way of saying, 'You can't just skip to the fun parts.' Grab your missiles, chain guns, and blinking red buttons (because nothing says 'effective combat' like flashy lights) and prepare to destroy enemies, infrastructure, and probably your overall city governance. Customization is also key. Want more missiles? Sure! A rocket launcher? Absolutely! Plans to become the next military dictator? Let's not go that far. Missions show off beautiful heads-up displays with armor levels, mini-maps, and a compass - perfect for getting lost in your own chaos. Completing missions earns you medals, but beware - failure gets you demoted faster than you can say 'I shouldn't have skipped the tutorial.'

Graphics

Visually speaking, Firestorm: Thunderhawk 2 is a mixed bag of colorful explosions and questionable draw distances. For a game born in the mid-90s, it does its best to be eye-catching, even if the scenery does pop up like bad internet ads. The aerial landscapes can be quite pretty while you're busy blowing things up, so it's basically hiding behind the explosions like a good action movie. Critiques usual lament the limited draw distance and significant pop-up issues, which lead to some rather awkward moments where you're left wondering if you're blasting at a ghost or merely a poorly rendered object. If you squint, it looks beautiful-though your grandmother's paintings still titled over this one.

Conclusion

Firestorm: Thunderhawk 2 is neither a flawless victory nor a fall from grace. Think of it as a solid pastime for those looking to blow things up and navigate through missions without a parachute. If you embrace its quirks and find joy in destruction, it can be a fun ride through a pixelated war-torn world. Family members may scratch their heads while you attempt to explain why flying a helicopter around a city to blow things up is entertaining. But, hey, it doesn't matter when you're the one commandeering the flight (with an impressive range of missiles, might I add). So here's to virtual flight and 90s gaming nostalgia. Just remember, if flying doesn't pan out, try a different kind of video game that involves less risk-like knitting simulators.

See Prices for Firestorm: ThunderHawk 2 on PlayStation on Ebay

See Latest Prices for Firestorm: ThunderHawk 2 on PlayStation on Amazon