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Review of Gunship on PlayStation

by Chucky Chucky photo Jan 1996
Cover image of Gunship on PlayStation
Gamefings Score: 7
Platform: PlayStation PlayStation logo
Released: 01 Jan 1996
Genre: Combat Flight Simulation
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: MicroProse

Introduction

Imagine a world where your primary relationship is with a virtual helicopter. Not quite as fulfilling as a romantic partner, but probably less complicated. Welcome to 'Gunship', where you can live out your wildest dreams of being a helicopter pilot, minus the actual flying and risk of crashing into an office building. Let's put on our aviator sunglasses and dive into this high-flying escapade.

Gameplay

Take control of your chopper - yes, it's just you and your whirlybird against the world. Choose from iconic helicopters like the AH-1 Cobra and the AH-64 Apache, which sounds impressive unless you realize there are no dates available for a reputed 'helicopter prom'. Missions include doing heroic things like destroying enemy targets or picking up troops, making it sound so much more noble than just 'playing with virtual toys'. As you complete missions, you can even garner enough confidence points to command wingmen - because nothing says team spirit like sending your friends into the crossfire while you sip coffee in a cockpit. The gameplay is as complex as assembling IKEA furniture but with more explosions. You'll strategize: fuel consumption is more overblown than your friend's last relationship story, so you can't just take off with a full tank. Much like in real life, you need a plan that doesn't end with you running out of gas or crashing into something because you didn't pay attention to that one guy with a missile launcher. And let's not forget about using terrain for cover; demanding skill and a healthy dose of stealth that would make ninjas proud. Promotion from 'just-a-guy-in-a-copter' to 2nd Lieutenant opens up the thrilling world of commanding wingmen. Seriously, it's like playing 'SimCity' but with much louder sound effects and none of the fun of designing roads or watching cities grow. You send your fellow helicopters off to do tasks while you remain, presumably, the superior being sipping tea in a tangled web of menus.

Graphics

Graphics? Well, let's just say these visuals pick up where the original left off. If you've been reminiscing about the 90s and want to experience what it felt like to watch TV through Vaseline, then you're in for a treat. The PlayStation version does boast improved textures, which is great, because when I think of immersive combat, I definitely think of sharp-looking polygons that are still somehow less captivating than a bowl of cereal. Expect a pixelated, low-poly environment that might elicit some nostalgia - or make you question your life choices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Gunship' is like the childhood action movie you used to love, only now it's dated, a bit cheesy, and you know it's not as great as you once thought. Still, there's a certain charm to it, like that pair of old sneakers that hurt your feet but you refuse to throw away because they remind you of better times or at least a time when you didn't have to pay rent. If you're looking for an immersive experience that will let you pretend to be a helicopter pilot while adding some much-needed chaos to your day, strap in. Just remember: a better game exists, but sometimes the nostalgia is strong enough to make you overlook the frustrating quirks of 'Gunship'.

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