Apache (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Apache


developer = Digital Integration Ltd.
publisher = Digital Integration Ltd.
designer =
engine =
released = 1995
genre = Shooter
modes = Single player
ratings = RSAC: V1: Damage to realistic objects
platforms = DOS, Windows
media =
requirements =
input =

"Apache" was a computer game released by Team17 in 1995 for Windows and DOS. It was a one-player horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up.

Infobox VG
title = Apache Longbow


developer = Digital Integration Ltd.
publisher = flagicon|UK Digital Integration Ltd.
flagicon|USA Interactive Magic
designer =
engine =
released = 1995
vgrelease|United States of America|USA|1996
genre = Flight Simulator
modes = Single player Two Player Head-to-Head Two Player Wingman Two Player Pilot/Gunner Multiplayer Deathmatch
ratings =
platforms = DOS
media = CDROM
requirements = Minimum 486 @ 33 MHz DOS 5.0 8MB RAM PCI or VL Bus SVGA CDROM
input = Keyboard, Joystick and Mouse

"Apache Longbow" was a computer game released by Digital Integration Ltd in 1995 for DOS. It was released as "Apache" in the United States.

Apache is a combat flight simulator of the American AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.It runs in DOS and has fairly minimal requirements considering that it was published during a period when Intel Pentium microprocessor based PC systems were first becoming common. The game comes with a printed 90 page manual.

Menus in the simulation

On game start up a short video is played then the player is presented with different menus.

One of these is the Main Screen which has a quick start option, flight option, preferences (game preferences) option and a Pilot's Log option (The player can choose his pilot's name).

The Flight Options menu has a training option (In Fort Hood, Texas), a Single Mission option, a campaign option, a network option (for network multiplayer) and a Two Player option.

Another menu presented whether in Single Player or Campaign Mode is the World Map in which combat will take place in 3 areas (Yemen, Korea or Cyprus).

The training in the game is extensive and teaches the use of weapon systems, navigation and helicopter avionics systems. In single player mode the player can choose which mission that he or she prefers to select in the 3 areas.

In campaign mode the player can choose which 3 areas he wishes to enter in a tour of duty. The Campaign mode also plays video clips and has a briefing before any mission. In addition there is a Briefing Menu before the player goes into combat which has a Mission Description and then when the player selects the mission a detailed mission map (like a mission editor) is shown with the flight plan and the player can chose his desired ordnance, zoom in on the map, given a satellite view of the area or target and given meteorological data. The Briefing is also narrated with an American speaker and this narration also takes place in the campaign mode.

Gameplay

A joystick is preferred and a soundcard is desired in the simulation to fully enjoy this titles multimedia gameplay. The graphics are pretty simple in the simulation either 320 by 200 pixels or 640 by 480 pixels but the detailing on each vehicle or ship is more than adequate.

Apache is rated as a PC Gamer editors choice game with a high rating and the simulation is almost on par with Jane's Longbow simulation although it lacks the sophisticated avionics of that title.

There are quite a lot of vehicles and ships in this simulation which is similar to Digital Integrations earlier flight simulation Tornado (computer game) in layout and gameplay.

In addition the cities and airfields have a lot of detail with numerous buildings and facilities for that time period (1995).Ground Battles can be seen taking place when in combat. Terrain graphics though are pretty simple. All the missions and campaigns in this simulation are fictional and hypothetical.

The simulator plays a pleasant non vocal rock music theme when one is in the menus but not when one is in the simulation. It has good combat sound tracks of weapons being fired and combat crew talk when on a mission. There is a hotkey which pauses the simulation and takes the player into an electronic manual of the simulation. This can be helpful if one forgets the key to activate a particular function in the game.

Vehicle Inventory

Allies

A number of allied units are present in the game, including F-15 Eagle fighters, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, M113 armored personnel carriers, Patriot missile launchers, and M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks.

Enemies

A variety of enemy units are present as well, including Mi-24 Hind helicopters, AH-1 Super Cobra helicopters, MiG-27 ground attack fighters, C-130 Hercules transports, MiG-29 fighters, Su-25 fighters, and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters.

Other Digital Integration Combat Flight Sims similar in play and layout to Apache

Tornado (computer game) 1993 (DOS) PC

Hind (computer game)1996 UK or 1997 U.S. (DOS and Windows 9.x) PC

iF-16 (computer game) 1998 (DOS and Windows 9.x) PC

Super Hornet F/A 18E (computer game) 2000 (Windows 9.x) PC

References

*moby game|id=/apache|name="Apache"