by Leonard (Viking1) Hjalmarson
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Recommended Hardware:
- Pentium 120
- 16MB RAM
- VESA 2.0
- 97MB free HD space (max install)
- SB16 or similar
- Joystick and throttle, rudder pedals for tail rotor
- SmartDrive to reduce load times
- Fast PCI video card
On January 16th 1991, four US ARMY AH-64A helicopters went into Iraq to take out key early warning radar sites, to pave the way for the coalition airstrikes to come. This marked the end of Operation Desert Shield and the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. In 1989, AH-64A helicopters took out APCs in Panama in what was the beginning of Operation Just Cause. As a US Army promotional film dictates, Apache "rules the night."
With Longbow GOLD, the original Janes Combat simulation and the fantastic Flash Point expansion set arrive in WIN95. If you were waiting for this combo to arrive, now is the time to pick it up.
When I first opened the box I was surprised to see a real honest-to-God spiral bound manual enclosed. WOW. These guys really do know how to do it right. I've been badgering a number of developers to go this route, and it is really great to see it happening. The advantage, of course, is that this manual will lie open wherever you leave it so you actually refer to the thing while playing without resorting to placing heavy objects all over it on your limited desktop. Of course, the manual integrates the added Flash Point controls nicely with the original Longbow very nicely.
Just so we're straight on this, LB Gold is NOT Direct3d compatible. If you already have Flash Point and the original Longbow, there is no overpowering reason to "go for the gold." Maybe Janes will retail this great new manual separately? =8-D Ok, they probably won't! You would be better off investing in the aftermarket strategy guide put out by Janes/Origin. Loaded with tips, articles on hardware, etc., its a fantastic addition to the sim and well worth the pesos.
In case you missed the Flash Point review back when the add-on was released, the enhancements were simply astounding. The CP/G position was added, along with the option of a full screen FLIR display in white-hot or black-hot mode and other new avionics. Sound effects were enhanced for every object in the battlefield, including new background sounds and radio chatter. New wingman commands were added which GREATLY expanded flexibility and control. These things alone were worth the price of the upgrade.
Threat intelligence was likewise enhanced, and objects were given simple mission goals: move from here to there, attack these units, etc. In fact, the increased dynamism in the sim was quite amazing. Objects destroyed in one mission remained dead in the next, and one felt like one had entered a dynamic campaign environment (see my interview with Andy Hollis for info on this "semi-dynamic" approach...) The usual attention to detail among Hollis and crowd was full blown with the Flash Point add-on, and one could tell that this was a sim-lovers piece of work.
Other little details abounded. One could shut down engines individually, use a fire extinguisher once, and set the repeat rate of the chain gun. Damage modelling is enhanced and more variable, including about 15 system failures, including RWR, PNVS, Laser Spot Tracker/Designator and more, including audible warnings followed by the failures themselves. Even the flight model was enhanced. Need I say more? Oh.. one more thing, the terrain detail in the Korean campaign was simply awesome. For the first time one felt that one was flying in an environment perfectly designed for this amazing machine. The enhanced terrain is really great.
Longbow Gold includes both campaigns: Korea and the Baltics. There are also individual historic missions to fly in Iraq and Panama. Wanna try your luck in Desert Storm? Go for it. Operation Just Cause has your interest? No problem. This GOLD collection even allows you to play any campaign mission of your choice. "Instant Action" remains at the ready if you like your missions unpredictable and random.
The tutorial system that simply MADE HISTORY is included in full, and with this GOLD version there are two new tutorials added. One discusses all of the new upgrades that were added to the original sim by Flash Point, and the other is a free-flight mission where you learn the fine points of auto-rotation.
What, you never heard about the incredible tutorial system? Son, you gotta see it to believe it. These interactive tutorials are AMAZING, complete with an actual instructor from Fort Hood in the rear seat. Janes broke new ground here, and Novalogic made a few small steps in the same direction in Comanche 3.
As in the original releases you can customize to your hearts content. Enemy ability, flight model, etc. are all selectable. The additional Flash Point options are all here including "realistic TADS and FCR operation" etc. These options not only add realism and flexibility, they add awesome depth of gameplay to the best simulation of 1996.
Ok, so what about multiplayer? Weren't we promised mp support? Word is that there is a revolution in the works, with something bigger and better than we had hoped. Does this mean some kind of virtual battlefield product linked in to the aircraft sim that is in the works? Well, I'm just speculating, but it wouldn't surprise me if this were the case, only with Blackhawk, Defenders, and Kiowa warriors to team with. At the very least, look for a new campaign disk with the multi-player features, perhaps even better features, and maybe D3d support. Hey! Don't drool on my page!!
Looking for a play tested Thrustmaster config file? Here is one to start with:
TM File for Longbow Gold and Flash Point Korea
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Last Updated June 30th, 1997