AHX-1 Review

4.0

Format PC

Developer Pixel Multimedia

Publisher GT Interactive

Genre Unknown

It's that Richie Shoemaker in another not-so magnificent flying machine.

It's a rare thing these days to see a flight sim that doesn't take advantage of 3D hardware acceleration. Lens flare and translucent smoke effects seem to be everywhere (unless you discount NovaLogic's recent F-22 Raptor), and after playing the rather handsome-looking Longbow 2, I was all ready to ladle out words like 'hideous' and 'jerky' upon AHX-1 in large amounts. I soon realised however that some people still play games in blocky old pixelvision, and that they just might be interested in a game that looks good without one of those 3D cards that we here at Zone seem to have taken to our hearts (and indeed our loins).

The trouble is, AHX-1 is hideous and jerky unless you have at least a P200, in which case you should (by law) already have a 3D card and maybe even a shiny new copy of Longbow 2 to play on it. If you have the minimum spec P166 with 16Mb RAM, I suggest you take a look at something like Comanche 3 first. Apart from jerkovision, almost everything about AHX-1 is below standard, and if it wasn't for the variety of the missions I'd have no choice but to suggest fines be levied at those responsible for this game. The simulation mode isn't particularly exciting and the arcade mode is devoid of any immediacy. As an addition to the genre, AHX-1 stands out as a shining example of mediocrity. The explosions are awful, and with the obligatory 40-odd missions, based over three world theatres, it's obvious that the developers decided to adhere to a rigid and boring script. If Israeli pilots really did have a hand in developing this, as it proudly proclaims on the box, then we'd best not let Saddam Hussein hear about it, or his heavily moustached army could soon be marching their way across the desert.