GHPC but for Helicopters

[BigEl_nobody]

So I have really been enjoying GHPC for its approach at a Simulation or Sim-Cade. Its simulation is interesting and enriching the gameplay without overbearing the player with complex systems and controls you have to engage with.

Its amazing for the immersion while still offering relatively fast and action-packed combat encounters. Now for me having this kind of gamedesign for combat helicopters would be my personal dream game.

Unfortunately that doesnt exist, you either have games like Enemy Engaged: CvH or DCS, that are full blown PHD-level simulations or pure arcade games. Also the demand for helicopter style games seems to be at an all time-low, with games like comanche for example being decades abandoned.

I really love Arma 3 for the flying model it offers for its helicopters. It feels like striking the right sim-cade level, but sadly the game wasnt focused on the gameplay-aspect of helos and the game is more of a big empty sandbox shell rather than an actual instant-action style approach.

Something like War Thunder offers helicopter gameplay, but is laden with grind and f2p mechanics as well as the pure multiplayer focus, which ruins the core experience.

[RainJar]

I think ArmA is the peak of sim-cade helo combat.
Heliborne is a thing, but I think it has been in a bit of a development hell for a couple of years now, and I guess it would be too arcadey to you?

You can try a mod for ArmA 3 called "OPCOM". It's an editor thingy that you place on the map together with your unit and when you launch a mission it takes you to a menu where you can generate tasks to do. Can squeeze a lot of fun out of it including flying a chopper

[Jonesy]

Helicopter Gunship DEX if you don't mind early access.

[harry]

i havent figured out how to play helicopter gunship DEX but the developer is awesome and we advocate buying his product. Support small sim teams.

[Jungle Troll]

The game "Nuclear option" is this kind of sim lite game but for aircraft and that includes one helicopter at the moment. Recommend it

[RainJar]

Oh yes, the helo gameplay in Nuclear Option is solid

[Twelvefield]

Originally posted by Jonesy:

Helicopter Gunship DEX if you don't mind early access.

Wow GSDEX even supports TrackIR*! Thank you so much for pointing out this title!

*GHPC devs say they won't support TrackIR, a shame. But TIR isn't needed in GHPC as much as it is in flight sim, so that's okay, sort of.

[Delta Dagger]

Originally posted by RainJar:

I think ArmA is the peak of sim-cade helo combat.

I'm not sure I could recommend ArmA if you're looking for simcade helo stuff. I think you can do better. I'll have to revisit that with the upcoming CDLC that adds a lot of helicopter stuff.

Modding Enemy Engaged Comanche vs. Hokum and Enemy Engaged Apache vs. Havoc are good options. They're on GOG, though. It's fun stuff, but binding controls is real janky as to be expected with games of that age.

On steam, GSDEX has been mentioned, it's pretty decent from what I played but I didn't play much. It was only shared with me. I'm really waiting for Stealth Fighter Dex admittedly.

In a few days, Thunder Helix drops into EA and that sounds cool from what I've heard from people who test it.

And Nuclear Option is just pretty neat. It's worth a look, regardless.

[DerSchnitter]

If you want to date, f*** and marry helicopters, and have children with them, you need to check out Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). Enjoy.

[RainJar]

OP said sim-cade, not a digital military flight school xD

[Nats]

Helicopter Gunship Dex is about the only decent option for a helicopter combat sim today until Microprose make their Apache one. Nuclear Option is more of a futuristic fantasy wargame, and little more than a combat arena at the moment, but it does have one helicopter.

[Jegedillo]

Comanche 4 is on steam

[KATAMARAN]

Nobody mentioned it yet, so I will. Air missions: Hind for Helis and Tiny Combat Arena for some Harrier action.