Heli Attack (series)
Encyclopedia
The Heli Attack series is a series of run-and-gun shooter games created by the company squarecircleco. in which the player takes on the role of a soldier
(later a paratrooper
) who must use a number of weapon
s to destroy helicopter
s, or helis, whilst these enemies simultaneously attempt to kill the player. In the first two games of the series there was only one level
and a never-ending wave of helis, with the aim being to destroy as many as possible before the player is killed; in Heli Attack 3, however, there are sixteen different levels and a set number of helis must be destroyed in each to continue through the game.
The original foot game was released by squarecircleco. The game was considered incomplete, partly because it lacked any soundtrack
or sound effects. Though the graphical appearance was comparatively primitive by the standards of their later games, foot introduced the theme of a soldier whose aim is to destroy helicopters, a range of increasingly powerful weapons and power-up
s that fall from the sky after helis are destroyed, and the yellow bullets of the soldier and the red bullets of the enemy helis. There was only one type of heli present in the entire game and also only one level that ended when the player was killed.
. Originally intended as an improved version of the first game, Heli Attack 2 proved to be a major evolution in the series. It featured a significantly improved graphical interface, a soundtrack and sound effects, the ability to distort time and use a hyper jump, and a range of thirteen different weapons - eight more than the first game. Heli Attack 2 also introduced some of the more powerful weapons seen in Heli Attack 3, such as the Grapple Cannon and A-Bomb Launcher, as well as five different power-ups - jet pack, time distort, invulnerability, TriDamage, and predator mode . However, Heli Attack 2 still only featured one heli and one level with a continuous wave of enemies. In spite of this, the fast-paced and addictive gameplay proved popular and the game won the awards for Miniclip
Game of the Year 2003 and Flashkit.com Most Addictive Game of the Year 2003.
In another major change, there is not just one kind of Heli, but four - in earlier levels the helis are comparatively weak with inaccurate and low powered gun
s. But as the player progresses through the game, they must take on helis which are more difficult to destroy, and with weaponry that can cause considerable damage to their character's health. There are also a number of purely ground based enemies in the game; in early levels these have either weak weapons or none at all, but in later levels their aim is highly accurate and, if ignored, they pose a big threat to the health of the paratrooper.
After all the standard levels are beaten, a never-ending level, reminiscent of Heli Attacks 1 & 2, is unlocked. In this level, Zone X, you must fight the most powerful helicopters until you are killed. This level can always be accessed at any time once the remaining levels are complete, for players who wish to play this game in a Heli Attack 2 manner.
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
(later a paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
) who must use a number of weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s to destroy helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s, or helis, whilst these enemies simultaneously attempt to kill the player. In the first two games of the series there was only one level
Level (computer and video games)
A level, map, area, or world in a video game is the total space available to the player during the course of completing a discrete objective...
and a never-ending wave of helis, with the aim being to destroy as many as possible before the player is killed; in Heli Attack 3, however, there are sixteen different levels and a set number of helis must be destroyed in each to continue through the game.
The original foot game was released by squarecircleco. The game was considered incomplete, partly because it lacked any soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
or sound effects. Though the graphical appearance was comparatively primitive by the standards of their later games, foot introduced the theme of a soldier whose aim is to destroy helicopters, a range of increasingly powerful weapons and power-up
Power-up
In computer and video games, power-ups are objects that instantly benefit or add extra abilities to the game character as a game mechanic. This is in contrast to an item, which may or may not have a benefit and can be used at a time chosen by the player...
s that fall from the sky after helis are destroyed, and the yellow bullets of the soldier and the red bullets of the enemy helis. There was only one type of heli present in the entire game and also only one level that ended when the player was killed.
Heli Attack 2
In 2003, squarecircleco. released the follow-up to Heli Attack, Heli Attack 2Heli Attack 2
Heli Attack 2 is an Internet game created by Squarecircleco. Players take the role of a soldier in a jungle-type environment, and must take down as many helicopters, or "helis", as possible before the player dies, using a wide array of weapons...
. Originally intended as an improved version of the first game, Heli Attack 2 proved to be a major evolution in the series. It featured a significantly improved graphical interface, a soundtrack and sound effects, the ability to distort time and use a hyper jump, and a range of thirteen different weapons - eight more than the first game. Heli Attack 2 also introduced some of the more powerful weapons seen in Heli Attack 3, such as the Grapple Cannon and A-Bomb Launcher, as well as five different power-ups - jet pack, time distort, invulnerability, TriDamage, and predator mode . However, Heli Attack 2 still only featured one heli and one level with a continuous wave of enemies. In spite of this, the fast-paced and addictive gameplay proved popular and the game won the awards for Miniclip
Miniclip
Miniclip is a website known for its browser-based casual games. It was started in 2001 by Robert Small and Tihan Presbie on a budget of £40,000 and quickly grew to become a leader in its respective market. As of 1701, the company has been valued at over £200 million, having been profitable for six...
Game of the Year 2003 and Flashkit.com Most Addictive Game of the Year 2003.
Heli Attack 3
Heli Attack 3, released on June 17, 2005, was another major evolution in the series. The player still takes on the role of a soldier but instead of having to destroy a continuous wave of Helis on one level, the player must travel through sixteen different levels set in four different locations, or zones. Furthermore, much like a more conventional video game the player must destroy a set number of Helis to progress to new levels.In another major change, there is not just one kind of Heli, but four - in earlier levels the helis are comparatively weak with inaccurate and low powered gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s. But as the player progresses through the game, they must take on helis which are more difficult to destroy, and with weaponry that can cause considerable damage to their character's health. There are also a number of purely ground based enemies in the game; in early levels these have either weak weapons or none at all, but in later levels their aim is highly accurate and, if ignored, they pose a big threat to the health of the paratrooper.
After all the standard levels are beaten, a never-ending level, reminiscent of Heli Attacks 1 & 2, is unlocked. In this level, Zone X, you must fight the most powerful helicopters until you are killed. This level can always be accessed at any time once the remaining levels are complete, for players who wish to play this game in a Heli Attack 2 manner.