Helicops is a video game developed by 7th Level

7th Level

7th Level was a video games development company based in Dallas, Texas and founded in 1993. The company was most famous for developing the three Monty Python games , G-Nome — a MechWarrior-style game, for publishing Helicops — an anime-inspired arcade-style aerial combat game, and for Tracer — a...

, which was released on March 31, 1997. The game is a first-person shooter

First-person shooter

First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...

 where the player takes control of a special combat helicopter. The game's briefings and character looks are inspired by Anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

.

Storyline

After a major earthquake, the city of Tokyo is destroyed. Then, like a phoenix, a new city is created, called NeoTokyo. It is a technologically advanced society and the frontier of humanity's science. However, a new threat arises. International criminal syndicate, known as Nemesys, led by Maxwell Giger, takes over the city with military force. Now, only a specially-designed squad of cops piloting high-tech combat helicopters could save NeoTokyo. Each of five combat pilots have their own archenemy among the ranks of Giger's five lieutenants. Upon choosing the one of pilots, player has to complete four missions against Nemesys leaders. Then, another mission follows, where player has to take down a leader who is pilot's personal enemy. One final mission follows, where player confronts Maxwell Giger himself and thwarts his plan to launch nuclear missiles.

Gameplay

The game has five characters to choose, as well as five different helicopters, each with its own speed and ammo types. The character selection alters only the order in which the missions are given. While controlling the helicopter from the first-person view, the player navigates through levels, which ranges from city landscapes to gigantic caves. The game consists of six missions, each with about three levels. Using up to four ammo types, player has to complete a specific task in each level, ranging from saving civilians and destroying an enemy vehicle to locating an artifact and destroying a specific building.

Helicops

• Miki Akino - Cybernetic, eighteen years old pilot with a grudge against Tiamat.
• Shin Otowa - Helicop, who is eager to avenge his father, who was unjustly punished for a crime, being framed by Victor Shrek.
• Michael Knox - Being betrayed by his twin sister, Rachel, who turned to work for Nemesys, he is eager for revenge.
• Jackie Ramirez - A pilot who is willing to confront her former childhood friend, Yaku.
• Larry "Mad" Washington - Military man whose nemesis is General Oblix, who betrayed him earlier while serving in U.N.
• Commander Kabutocani - The commanding officer of Helicops, he gives missions to the player.

Nemesys

• Tiamat - Sentient cybernetic data creature. While Tiamat dwells in virtual cyberspace, he poses a real threat.
• Viktor Shrek - A corrupt corporate executive turned terrorist. Commands his own Nemesys forces, the shock troops.
• Rachel - Leader of the Crimson Covenant group, which is a part of Nemesys, she is eager to control the mystic force of Mount Fuji.
• Yaku - Drug lord and the leader of the Dedboys gang, which spread the drug called "Shatter".
• General Oblix - War criminal who, along with his personal army called "Killcorps", aids Maxwell Giger.
• Maxwell Giger - The leader of Nemesys criminal syndicate. Final opponent of the game, he confronts player in his "GigerMech".

External links

• The game's review on Gamespot