Summary

• Release Year: 1994
• Genres: Arcade
• Platforms: Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System/Mark III
• Developers: Electronic Arts
• Publishers: Domark

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf (1994)

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is a helicopter combat game developed by Electronic Arts and released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and MS-DOS. It is the sequel to the 1992 game Desert Strike: Gulf Thunder.

The player controls a heavily armed Apache helicopter on a mission to rescue hostages and destroy enemy targets in the Middle East. The game features a variety of missions, including destroying enemy tanks and aircraft, rescuing hostages, and blowing up bridges and other infrastructure.

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf was a critical and commercial success, praised for its challenging gameplay, destructible environments, and variety of weapons. It was also one of the first games to feature a 3D engine, which allowed for more realistic graphics and gameplay.

Gameplay

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is a top-down helicopter combat game. The player controls an Apache helicopter from an overhead, isometric perspective. The Apache is equipped with three weapon types: a machine gun, rockets, and Hellfire missiles.

The player must use the Apache’s weapons to destroy enemy targets, including tanks, aircraft, and buildings. The player must also be careful to avoid enemy fire, as the Apache can be destroyed if it takes too much damage.

The game features a variety of missions, each with its own objectives. In some missions, the player must rescue hostages, while in others the player must destroy enemy targets. The player must also complete each mission within a time limit.

Graphics and Sound

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf was one of the first games to feature a 3D engine. This allowed for more realistic graphics and gameplay than was possible with previous 2D games. The game’s environments are detailed and destructible, and the Apache helicopter is rendered in 3D.

The game’s sound is also impressive. The sound effects are realistic and the music is catchy. The game’s voice acting is also well done, with each character having their own unique voice.

Reception

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, destructible environments, and variety of weapons. It was also one of the first games to feature a 3D engine, which allowed for more realistic graphics and gameplay.

The game was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was also one of the best-selling games on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

Legacy

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is considered to be one of the best helicopter combat games ever made. It was one of the first games to feature a 3D engine, and its destructible environments and variety of weapons set a new standard for the genre.

The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and PC. It is also available on the Virtual Console for the Wii and Wii U.

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is still enjoyed by many gamers today. It is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique and immersive experience.

Review

Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is a classic helicopter combat game that still holds up today. With its challenging missions, destructible environments, and variety of weapons, it’s a must-play for fans of the genre.

The game’s graphics are still impressive today, and the sound is top-notch. The voice acting is also well done, with each character having their own unique voice.

The gameplay is challenging but fair, and the missions are varied and interesting. The game’s destructible environments add an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay, and the variety of weapons allows the player to approach each mission in a different way.

Overall, Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf is a classic game that is still worth playing today. It’s a challenging and rewarding game that offers a unique and immersive experience.

Score: 8.5/10

Review Score

8.5/10

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