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Hellfire: Apache vs Hind, by Astraware, $19.95
Reviewed May, 2004 by Korey Marciniak

Ever since the first ARM processor powered PDAs came onto the market, people have been clamoring for new and more visually impressive games. Developers have tried to answer this call by making steps into three dimensions with games like Master Thief, Interstellar Flames, and Astraware’s own GTS Racing Challenge. Although these games weren’t up to the level of 3D graphics seen on other more powerful systems, they have proven the PDA platform has become a lot more powerful than before. We have yet to really see a second generation of 3D PalmOS games, but Astraware has made a new game that appears to use and improve slightly upon the engine found in their GTS Racing Challenge game.

When you first hop in the pilot’s seat of your Apache or Hind helicopter you might expect to have to learn a lot of new ways to control games, but ironically this isn’t the case. The controls in Hellfire are fairly simple, and this proves to be both a good idea and the game’s own Achilles heel. Astraware has chosen to keep the helicopters from flying up and down, and though I understand why as this would add a lot more complexity to the game I still feel it detracts a bit from the game. Once you get over this issue you realize Astraware didn’t overlook this option, but rather didn’t feel it was as important. The rest of the controls are solid; you control your helicopter of choice left, right, forward, and back with the hard keys. Astraware also went a step further and supported Sony’s jog dial for weapon selection; this is a nice touch, and makes switching in battles a snap.

Now we reach the graphics; the real reason people are going to purchase the game in the first place. Like I mentioned before, Astraware’s Hellfire appears to have borrowed a lot from GTS Racing Challenge. The helicopter piloted by the player is rendered in the same manner as the player’s car in GTS, but it looks like Astraware has cleaned it up quite a bit. The 3D environment is a lot less 3D, and a lot more akin to games like Wolfenstein or Space Harrier, but the boats, jets, and other helicopters are all rendered in 3D. To put it bluntly, it’s not going to beat Half-Life 2, but Astraware has taken a 3D engine that worked and improved upon it. The game looks amazing, and it’s going to take over the spot reserved for eye-candy on your PDA.

The sounds in Hellfire are good, but this is one area Astraware doesn’t slip by unscathed. The sound of the gunfire, missiles, and helicopter are all well designed. The sound when you pick up passengers however is way too loud in comparison. So even with the volume turned down so you can just barely hear the action, you still hear a resounding beep every time you rescue prisoners. It’s minor, but it’s something easily noticed. I also would have liked music playing in the background, but with the lack of 3D games on the market Astraware is still ahead of the curve.

Overall the game is amazing; as you get further in to the game, the missions become more exciting. There are some little things that could have made the game more impressive, but Astraware has created a game that reminds us that our personal organizers are a lot more powerful than many people want to believe.

Playing Hints and Tips

This goes without saying, but don’t crash into things. You lose a lot more life smashing into trees than you do by taking a few stray bullets. You should get used to using machine guns for everything, as you have far fewer missiles at your disposal, and you want to save them for when you are attacking multiple enemies.