Hind (video game)
| Hind | |
|---|---|
| File:HindWik.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Digital Integration Ltd. |
| Publisher(s) | Digital Integration Ltd. in the UK, Interactive Magic in the US. |
| Platform(s) | DOS,Windows 9.x |
| Release | 1996 UK 1997 U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Flight Simulator |
| Mode(s) | Single player Two Player Head-to-Head Two Player Wingman Two Player Pilot/Gunner Multiplayer Deathmatch |
Hind was a computer game released by Digital Integration Ltd in 1997 for DOS and Windows 95.
Hind is a combat flight simulator of the Soviet Mi-24 Hind helicopter. It runs in DOS and Windows when Intel Pentium microprocessor based PC systems were common. The game came with a well written and detailed 99 page printed manual.
Hind is rated as a PC Gamer editors choice game with a high rating.
Menus in the simulation
On game start up a video plays then the player is presented with different menus. One of these is the Main Screen which has a quick start option, flight option, preferences (game preferences) option and a Pilot's Log option (The player can choose his pilot's name).The Flight Options menu has a training option(at the Saratov Soviet airbase), a Single Mission option, a campaign option, a network option (for network multiplayer) and a Two Player option. Another menu presented whether in Single Player or Campaign Mode is the World Map in which combat will take place in 3 areas(Kazakstan,Korea or Afghanistan).The training in the game is very extensive and teaches the use of weapon systems, navigation and helicopter avionics systems. In single player mode the player can choose which mission that he or she prefers to select in the 3 areas. In campaign mode the player can choose which 3 areas he wishes to enter in a tour of duty. The Campaign mode also plays video clips and has a briefing before any mission. In addition there is a Briefing Menu before the player goes into combat which has a Mission Description and then when the player selects the mission a detailed mission map (like a mission editor) is shown with the flight plan and the player can chose his desired ordnance, zoom in on the map, given a satellite view of the area or target and given meteorological data. The Briefing is also narrated by an English speaking Soviet accent speaker and this narration also takes place in the campaign mode. The Soviet narration has heavy Soviet era rhetoric and propaganda and enhances the gameplay of this simulation with better ambience and aura.
Gameplay
Not one, but two joysticks are absolutely vital and a soundcard is desired in this simulation to fully enjoy its gameplay. Featuring ground effect, vortex ring, retreating blade stall, autorotation and more, a new pilot would be hard pressed to survive a simple hop 1st try - just as someone leaping into a real helicopter for the first time would do nothing but destroy it! Of course, to cater for those 'i just want to blow stuff up' gamers, the realism can be changed all the way down to being practically a platform game (and of course, practically boring). In this case they are invulnerable and the helicopter flys like... uhm... a tetris block.
Despite the awesome physics, the visuals leave alot to be desired. Lagging behind most others of its time in the great rush for better graphics, it is based solely on gourad shading and a maximum resolution of 640x480.
Nevertheless, the detailing on each component is exceptionally well done. There are quite a lot of vehicles and ships in this simulation which is similar to Digital Integrations earlier flight simulations Tornado and Apache in layout and gameplay.
In addition the cities and airfields have a lot of detail with more included numerous buildings and facilities than D.I.'s Apache. Well detailed mountains and hills are included.
Ground battles can be seen taking place, since A.I. controlled infantry have been added. They can also be carried aboard the Hind helicopter and are a vital part of some missions.
 | The factual accuracy of part of this article is disputed. The dispute is about Campaign accuracy. |
Some of the missions and campaigns in this simulation are fictional and hypothetical. However the Afghanistan campaign (and missions) are based on the 1980s Soviet-Afghanistan war with the Soviet forces combating the terrorist Islamic Mujahideen.
The simulator plays an interesting Soviet sounding music theme when one is in the menus but not when one is in the simulation. It has good combat sounds of weapons being fired (from the helicopter and on the ground) and explosions. An excellent feature is random allied radio communications. Despite not being very realistic (No hind crew would have their radio tuned to the same frequency as one 50nm away on a completely different mission) It helps to immerse the player greatly - forcing them to realize that they are a part of a greater army and not some hollywood superhero on a do or die mission. In fact, the player won't instantly loose the game if they return without completing their mission objectives. What they will do is survive!
There is a hotkey which pauses the simulation and takes the player into an electronic manual of the simulation. This can be very helpful if one forgets the key to activate a particular function in the game.
There are many views in this simulation either from inside the helicopter, outside the helicopter, viewing from other friendly or enemy perspectives or a weapons view such as a missile homing in on its target.
An important aspect of this game is its ability to multiplay 2 people in the same helicopter - something that has not been seen since. One player is the pilot, the other the gunner or wso. Unfortunately, the limited networking transports available make this hard, but when it can be arranged, it is an experience you'll never forget. The network protocol has been much improved over Apache, and the game even includes a patch for it, not only to allow it to communicate with Hind, but to fix the teamwork destroying problems that version had.
Despite being released around 1996, Hind is quite possibly the most physically realistic commercially available helicopter simulation game available as of 2007... and counting.
Vehicle Inventory
Allies
Mi-24 Hind-E, Mi-17 Hip, MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-27 Flogger, An-12 Cub-A, SA-8 Romb SAM, SA-9 Gaskin SAM, ZSU-23 Shilka AAA, T62 Tank, BMP2 APC, BRDM2 APC, BRDM2 + Sagger, MT-LBU APC, MT-LBUS ECM, M37 82 mm Mortar, D30 Howitzer, MAZ543 SCUD, AK-47,Dsh K-38,RPG-7,SA-7 AAM, Romeo submarine, Osa missile boat, Mine Layer, Landing Craft, Oil Tanker, Cargo Ship Tug, Supply Barge, Long Track Radar, Fuel Bowser, Military Truck, UAZ469 Light Utility Vehicle, Train and Soviet Infantry.
Enemy
AH64D, AH64C, UH60,F15 Eagle, F16,F18,A10,C130,Mi-24,Mi-17,MiG-29,MiG-27,Su-25,An 12 Cub-A, AH1W Supercobra, Patriot SAM, M163 Vulcan AAA, SA-8,SA-9,ZSU-23,35mm Oerlikon GDF SPAAG, Tracked Rapier, M1A1 Abrams Tank, M113 APC, T62 Tank, BMP2 APC, BRDM2 APC, BRDM2 + Sagger, MT-LBU APC, MT-LBUS ECM, M29A1 81 mm mortar, MLRS AFV, M109 Howitzer, M37 82 mm mortar, D30 Howitzer, MAZ543 SCUD, M16 rifle, M2 heavy machine gun, M47 Dragon AT, Stinger AAM, AK-47,Dsh K-38 heavy machine gun, RPG-7,SA-7,M60 machine gun, TOW Anti Tank, LHA Tarawa assault ship, Perry Class Frigate, Oil Tanker, Cargo Ship, Tug, Supply Barge, Giraffe Mobile radar, Fuel bowser, Military Truck, HMMWV, Train, Long Track Radar, UAZ469 Light utility vehicle and other various enemy infantry.
Other Digital Integration Combat Flight Sims similar in play and layout to Hind
Tornado (computer game) 1993 (DOS) PC
Apache (computer game)1995 UK 1996 US. (DOS and Windows 9.x) PC
iF-16 (computer game) 1998 (DOS and Windows 9.x) PC
Super Hornet F/A 18E (computer game) 2000 (Windows 9.x) PC
