Firestorm: ThunderHawk 2
Encyclopedia
is a combat flight simulator
that was originally released for the Sega Saturn
in 1994. PlayStation and PC
ports were released in January 1995. It was developed and published by Core Design
. It is the sequel to Thunderhawk
(Thunderstrike in the US). This game is known as ThunderStrike 2 in America and Thunderhawk Firestorm 2 in Germany
.
through a variety of missions around the world. Generally the main objective in each mission revolves around destroying a particular target, but often other factors are involved, such as time limits, stealth and allies that need protecting.
Just before the beginning of each mission, it is possible for the player to heavily customise the weaponry on their AH-73M, ranging from missile
s and machine gun
s to rocket
s and cluster bomb
s. Depending on the selection of weapons and the mission at hand, this may either help or hinder progress through the mission.
The game ends if the player completes the final level, if the helicopter is destroyed during a mission, or if three demerits are awarded to the player during the game. Demerits are awarded when the player aborts a mission by flying out of the mission zone.
Combat flight simulator
Combat flight simulators are video games used to simulate military aircraft and their operations...
that was originally released for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
in 1994. PlayStation and PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
ports were released in January 1995. It was developed and published by Core Design
Core Design
Core Design was a British video game studio best known today for creating the popular Tomb Raider series.-History:Based in the city of Derby, England, Core Design was set up in 1988 by Chris Shrigley, Andy Green, Rob Toone, Terry Lloyd, Simon Phipps, Dave Pridmore, Jeremy Heath-Smith and Greg Holmes...
. It is the sequel to Thunderhawk
Thunderhawk (Video Game)
Thunderhawk is a helicopter combat simulator game released by Core Design for the Amiga, Atari ST and IBM PC in 1991, and for the Sega Mega-CD in 1993. The game was renamed to AH-3 ThunderStrike for its USA release.In the game the player is part of the "MERLIN" helicopter combat assault team,...
(Thunderstrike in the US). This game is known as ThunderStrike 2 in America and Thunderhawk Firestorm 2 in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Gameplay
Gameplay is similar to that of all combat flight simulators. The player controls an AH-73M Thunderhawk attack helicopterAttack helicopter
An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
through a variety of missions around the world. Generally the main objective in each mission revolves around destroying a particular target, but often other factors are involved, such as time limits, stealth and allies that need protecting.
Just before the beginning of each mission, it is possible for the player to heavily customise the weaponry on their AH-73M, ranging from missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
s and machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
s to rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
s and cluster bomb
Cluster bomb
A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles...
s. Depending on the selection of weapons and the mission at hand, this may either help or hinder progress through the mission.
The game ends if the player completes the final level, if the helicopter is destroyed during a mission, or if three demerits are awarded to the player during the game. Demerits are awarded when the player aborts a mission by flying out of the mission zone.