Longbow 2
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| Longbow 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Origin Systems |
| Publisher(s) | Jane's Combat Simulations / Electronic Arts |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date | 1997 |
| Genre(s) | Helicopter Sim |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multi Player |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| System requirements | Minimum: Pentium-133 or equivalent processor, 16 MB RAM, 2 MB video memory, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 5. Recommended: 3DFX graphics card to play game in Glide mode.
Input Devices Supported: Keyboard, Mouse, Other DirectInput devices. Multiplayer Options: Internet (TCP/IP), LAN, Modem, Null-modem cable. |
| Input methods | Keyboard, Joystick, Mouse |
Longbow 2 is the sequel to the best-selling AH-64D Longbow from Jane's Combat Simulations. Made at Origin Systems with executive producer Andy Hollis and producer Will McBurnett on board, and released on Nov 30, 1997. This sim improved on virtually every level of the first game, and it is 3DFX-compatible from the start. New helicopters were added in the shape of the AH-64D (without radar), OH-58D Kiowa and UH-60L Black Hawk. A fully dynamic campaign engine is used to create some very challenging missions, and a random mission generator can be used to create a seemingly infinite variety of missions.
Realism is still key, and this is no sloppy sequel like in other game series, and to date it is still considered by the hardcore league of followers to be the most realistic simulation of combat helicopter warfare ever.
There have been a few third-party attempts over the years to mod this game, as Origin is now closed down and Electronic Arts have washed their hands of it, but nothing concrete has come out of it.
'Streets ahead of any other flight sim.' - PC Gaming World
Contents |
[edit] Features
- Maximum realism: Advanced physics and avionics modelling, play tested by actual Longbow pilots, realistic AI systems, Jane's interactive battlefield reference guide.
- Interactive training: Take off quickly with step-by-step missions providing all the skills you need to survive in combat - from basic flight to advanced combat tactics.
- Dynamic campaigns: Longbow 2's campaign engine can generate a new war every time you play, for nearly infinite solo and multiplayer flight action. Campaign environments include Azerbaijan and Ft. Irwin, USA.
- Multiple choppers: Command and fly a fleet of lethally armed helicopters, including the Kiowa scout, Black Hawk transport and Apache Longbow gunship.
[edit] Incompatibility
Although it was made for Windows 95/98, Longbow 2 does in fact work on Windows XP and Vista, with a bit of tweaking. The LB2 community over at the SimHQ Forums have worked hard to make this happen. Many fans have been able to get back into their favorite sim, when they thought all hope was lost. The best site to see for instructions is Positive G's LB2 install guide, and further tweaking details and tools can be found at Flyboy's Longbow 2 Site.
[edit] Enhanced graphics
Longbow 2 was made native to Glide, but 3DFX video cards were only really big in the '90s and soon went out of fashion. Nowadays the graphics card industry is headed by ATI and nVidea, which only support Direct3D and OpenGL. There is a Direct3D patch update available for LB2, but with only limited positive outcome. The choice that most people today like to take is the use of a glide wrapper. The most flexible one is dgVoodoo's glide wrapper, but there is also one made by zeckensack.
Many people believe that using a glide wrapper produces graphics on par with, if not better than, an actual 3DFX card. The author has used both, and can say for definite that the dgVoodoo glide wrapper especially, does outperform a Voodoo 3 video card. Common issues such as texture misalignment and sprite color-mask problems, which previously were a problem with such a card, are perfected with a glide wrapper.
Advantages of using Glide mode with a glide wrapper in LB2 include:
- all the benefits of a 3DFX card
- smooth graphics
- better framerates
- hardware-accelerated effects such as lens flare, better smoke and fog
- stunning dynamic lighting effects
- higher detail object textures
- the ability to limit monitor vsync to slow game down on fast systems
- the ability to force higher screen resolutions than the game was meant for
For further reading on the pro's and con's of playing LB2 in Glide mode, and for links to the files, see Flyboy's Longbow 2 Site
