Longbow (video game)
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| AH-64D Longbow | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Origin Systems |
| Publisher(s) | Jane's Combat Simulations / Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | DOS |
| Release date | 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Helicopter Sim |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| System requirements | Minimum: Pentium-75 or equivalent processor, 8 MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM drive.
Video Modes Supported: SuperVGA, VESA. Sound Devices Supported: Ensoniq Soundscape, Pro Audio Spectrum / Plus / 16, Roland RAP-10, Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster AWE32, Sound Blaster Pro. Input Devices Supported: Joystick (Analog), Joystick (Digital), Keyboard, Mouse, Thrustmaster (FCS and/or WCS). |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Joystick and Mouse |
AH-64D Longbow is an ultra-realistic PC flight simulator of the world's most advanced attack helicopter, the AH-64D Longbow. Released on May 31 1996, this simulation was developed at Origin Systems, Inc. by producer Andy Hollis and director Will McBurnett. AH-64D Longbow was the second simulator released under the Jane's Combat Simulators line from Electronic Arts.
It had the most authentic flight model for a helicopter (for its time), and every aspect of the electronics systems were meticulously detailed. The weapons had realistic operational ranges and limits, and all friendly and enemy units were strictly based on their real-life counterparts. You got a wingman to help you, and you took on Russian equipment in multiple single missions and campaigns, as well as a handful of historically-accurate missions in which you could 're-live' memorable battles.
A mission disk, entitled Flash Point: Korea was released as an add-in in 1996, and a compilation pack, Longbow Gold was released in 1997. A sequel, Longbow 2 was released in late 1997. In 1998, Longbow Anthology was released, which included the whole Longbow series.
Longbow, in its various forms, sold over 1 million copies.
Longbow won many awards, including 'Flight Simulation Of The Year' (1996) from PC Gamer, Computer Gaming World, and Computer Games Strategy Plus.
[edit] Features
- Fly nap-of-the-earth across 20,000 kilometers of fully textured rolling terrain, modelled on real US geological survey digital elevation maps.
- Over 250 missions in all!
- Live newscasts to keep you up-to-date on the war effort.
- View actual test flight footage.
5 WAYS TO FLY
- Instant action
- Interactive flight training
- Historical missions
- Custom missions
- In-depth campaign mode
[edit] On modern systems
Limited success has been achieved at getting this game to run on modern PC systems by using the MS-DOS emulator DOSBox. The biggest problem here is the low framerates, and even on the lowest graphics settings, the game plays like a slideshow, rendering it nearly unplayable. To date, fans have only really gone down this road to relive old memories - and not for serious progressive gameplay.
