Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf (1992)

by Nish
written by Nish 6 minutes read

Summary

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf (1992)

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf, known as Desert Strike, is a shoot ’em up video game released by Electronic Arts (EA) in February 1992 for Sega’s Mega Drive. The game was later released on several other formats such as the SNES, including a much upgraded version for the Amiga home computer. The game was inspired by the Gulf War and depicts a conflict between an insane Middle Eastern dictator, General Kilbaba, and the United States. The player controls a lone Apache helicopter and attempts to destroy enemy weapons and installations, rescue hostages and capture enemy personnel, while managing supplies of fuel and ammunition.

Gameplay

Desert Strike is a side-scrolling shoot ’em up in which the player controls an Apache helicopter. The game is played across a series of missions, each with different objectives. The player must use the helicopter’s weapons to destroy enemy targets, including tanks, helicopters, and buildings. The player must also manage the helicopter’s fuel and ammunition supplies, and can land at friendly bases to refuel and rearm.

The game features a variety of different enemy units, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The player must use the helicopter’s weapons and abilities to defeat each type of enemy. The game also features a number of different bosses, which are more powerful than regular enemies and require the player to use different strategies to defeat them.

Development

Desert Strike was developed by EA’s British development studio, EA Redwood Shores. The game was inspired by the Gulf War, which was taking place at the time of the game’s development. The game’s developers wanted to create a game that was both exciting and realistic, and they spent a great deal of time researching the Apache helicopter and the tactics used in modern warfare.

The game was originally released for the Sega Mega Drive, and was later ported to the SNES, Amiga, and other platforms. The Amiga version of the game was significantly upgraded from the original Mega Drive version, and featured improved graphics, sound, and gameplay.

Reception

Desert Strike was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and realism. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Legacy

Desert Strike is considered to be one of the classic shoot ’em up games of the 16-bit era. The game’s success spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs, including Jungle Strike (1993), Urban Strike (1994), and Nuclear Strike (1997). The game has also been re-released on a number of platforms, including the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Nintendo Virtual Console.

Impact

Desert Strike had a significant impact on the shoot ’em up genre. The game’s realistic graphics and gameplay helped to set a new standard for the genre. The game also helped to popularize the use of helicopters in shoot ’em up games.

Desert Strike is still considered to be one of the best shoot ’em up games ever made. The game’s challenging gameplay, impressive graphics, and realistic sound effects make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Additional Information

  • Desert Strike was one of the first games to feature a 3D-rendered landscape.
  • The game’s soundtrack was composed by Frank Klepacki, who also composed the soundtracks for the Command & Conquer and Red Alert series of games.
  • Desert Strike was one of the first games to be released on the Sega Mega-CD.
  • The game was banned in Germany due to its violent content.

Review

Desert Strike is a classic shoot ’em up that still holds up today. The game’s graphics are impressive for the time, and the gameplay is challenging and addictive. The game’s realistic sound effects and music also help to create a immersive experience. Overall, Desert Strike is a must-play for fans of the shoot ’em up genre.

Score: 8.5/10

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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