Novalogic’s helicopter series has now entered into the fourth outing, and with it comes a quickening of the pace and action, as well as the inevitable technical advancements. That said, Comanche 4 isn’t quite as derivative as my opening suggests; Comanche 4 being a far more arcade-orientated proposition than the previous instalment in the series. Gone are the heavily involving and complex pseudo-simulation meanderings; the style of game now lying heavily within the realms of the title. Comanche 4 doesn’t even bother trying to compete with more 'serious' representations. Instead focussing on delivering a fast-paced and fun shooter-style of play that is very welcoming compared to the somewhat dry and unpalatable necessities of simulation gameplay.

Of course, there are still traces of realism, but that mainly lies in the language of the game; which adds to the atmosphere rather than complicating the experience. An experience it certainly is, too, thanks in the main to the high level of polish that has been applied to every element of the product; ensuring a well-rounded and reasonably satisfying experience. This sense of completeness might of course sound like something of a prerequisite but in the age of rushed, incomplete, and bug-ridden software, this is deserving of merit.

The first thing that is striking about the game is the detail and richness of the environments and the helicopter itself, which is brought to life in crisp and vivid fashion, creating a vision that is instantly of the highest-order in gaming graphics. What’s more the all-important combat is a site to behold, especially when viewed from the third-person viewpoint (the cockpit view is a bit limited), as explosions fill the air, and the enemy (or you) spiral downwards. This is perhaps the game’s biggest asset, and really does make the game stand-out...