Jungle Strike

"A helicoptor game that's tough and that I prefer to keep on mute."

I never really did get into the Strike series (you know, this is the sequel to Desert Strike, and the sequel to this is Urban Strike, then there was Soviet Strike, Nuclear Strike, etc.). I mean, yeah, the controls are difficult to get used to, and it's really hard in some parts, but after giving this game a little practice, I can safely say that this is one game you might like if you just spent a little time on it.

Story (7): Here's the idea behind the game: you are a sarcastic, wise-cracking helicopter pilot for the White House, and they're sending you out on a mission to take out two men who have apparently destroyed an entire island. One man is a notorious drug lord who escaped prison with the help of his private army, the other is the son of the Desert Strike Madman (the man you had to take care of in the prequel, Desert Strike). The plans of these two terrorists have come through without a clutch so well, that not only are some of your best co-pilots MIA, even their men are hidden in Washington D.C. threatening everything, and that's your first mission in a string of challenging objectives on your way to getting to the terrorist hideout. The story progresses well as you continue on trying to take out their threats and eventually infiltrating the hideout. So choose your available co-pilots, and get ready to take on some terrorists.

Music and Sound (6): There really is no music throughout this game, aside from the title screen, and the cutscenes, and it's not something you wouldn't hear in the tense moments of a crime drama, so nuts to that. As for sound, the very little amounts of them this game has will make you a bit weary of hearing them after a while. If you like to hear the sound of a helicopter engine and bullets and missiles being shot off, then you won't get annoyed so soon. There's also the humming of a hovercraft, but little much else after that. If you do find yourself getting annoyed by the sound after the first level, you might want to play a little light background music while playing the game. So you can either play the game at a low volume and jam to what's on your stereo at the same time, or you can mute the game altogether.

Graphics (7): These graphics are dark and gritty, as is most of the graphics in this game, it gives it that nice serious look. The landscapes you fight on are detailed, and sometimes show off many different, sharp colors. As for the time of the game's release, the graphics are on par with what was released at the time, too. Whether it's saving people stranded on an island or shooting a clear path home for the President, you'll enjoy the dark colors throughout the landscape as you complete the level's missions.

Gameplay (6): A very unique idea calls for helicopters to be flown in many different areas, where you'll have to tackle objective after objective. Now I'm going to come right out and admit that this game is hard. No kidding, this game is tough, it will undoubtedly take you about 3-5 times to get through the first level without losing a life, if not getting through it at all. The controls are very tough to get used to, and it takes time to learn how to maneuver the helicopter around a level while shooting things and avoiding enemy fire, which is definitely not as easy as it sounds. Just keep at it and you'll learn how to run and gun with the best of them.

Replayability (4): Here is where the game's lowest point lies. After you beat the game, and enjoy the ending, there's not a whole lot to the game after that. The only thing that will keep you going is using codes, and even after that, you'll be done playing this game a lot quicker then you thought you would. However, it could be a long time before you actually beat the game because it's so tough, which is a good thing, so you won't get bored so soon, but after that, it'll take a nostalgia trip to make you start playing again.

Overall (6): Like I said, I myself am not big on the Strike series, but I am an example of a guy who at least tried it out, and put some hard work into it, and it eventually paid off for me, because I found myself actually enjoying the experience. The only big problem I have with the game is it's sound, mostly because there's no backup music to accompany the awfully repetitive chopper engine, hovercraft humming, and bullet and missile fire. Who knows, it could be a different story with you.

Rent? Buy?: I'll put it this way, if you're not enjoying the endless flood of strategic games that has that touch of stealth, then you might not like this title. If you are, however, you could try this and get away with it, but I'd be a better idea to start off with the game's prequel, Desert Strike, and work your way up. Neither could be terribly hard to find, and I highly doubt that the game is such a classic, that someone will try to get you into paying $60 for it, so go ahead.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 07/06/03, Updated 03/06/04