Posted By: damson
Another helicopter classic. - 05/18/19 03:08 PM
Released for DOS in 1997 by Novalogic. In my opinion it was a pinnacle of the Comanche series, as it was the most realistic attempt - Comanche 4 was still a good arcade game. In 1998 there was a Windows based version released - Comanche Gold which added more features like weather effects, 4 new camapaigns, mission editor, more control over your teammate and higher resolution options.
This video is covering all the training flights. Also you can see the intro, Comanche overview and credits @41:34 (oh that music!). I'm playing on max realistic settings - advanced flight model with no vertical stabilizer, although you still can use your sophisticated fly-by-wire system to lock your altitude and help you with the colective control.
Even if considered bit arcadey, the flight engine was pretty solid and modelled several characteristics related to helicopters, like retreating blade stall at high airspeeds, ground effect and translational lift.
While the missions were canned they still provided good amount of fun and were immersive thanks to plenty of comms chatter from friendly units and sometimes even from the enemy.
Voxel Space engine by Kyle Freeman was updated from previous Comanche versions. In its 2nd revision, it was utilized very well to model convincing rolling terrain for you to fly through and take cover behind. Compared to first VS it allowed for higher resolution and true 3D objects (VS1 used sprites for that purpose). It was also used for Armored Fist 2 and was continously updated - VS3 was used in Delta Force series.
One cannot forget the sound design. While the sound effects were pretty solid, the MIDI music during missions passable, the digitized one in the intro, menus, overview and credits was phenomenal. Really put you into the mood to smoke some tanks from behind the cover. One thing to add - that music was lost in Comanche 3 Gold, that version got different music score.
I might continue this playthrough so stay tuned