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Hind is a simulation of the Soviet Mi-24 helicopter (codenamed “Hind” by NATO and nicknamed “Flying Tank” by Soviet troops). It features the most of the same options, including the ability to change between realistic or more arcade-ish controls by reducing roll, adding unlimited ammo or make the Hind indestructible. Gameplay was changed to fit the differences between the fast and maneuverable Apache and the slow and rock-solid Hind - Instead of relying on speed, Hind pilots must be prepared to take all openings possible to attack and focus on avoiding missile fire (as the hull can take machine gun and even cannon rounds happily). Several viewpoints are available, from pilot or gunner to several external views.

There are three campaigns, Kazakhstan (where you face a similarly-equipped enemy, pro-independence rebels), Afghanistan (the Mujaheddin, mostly foot soldiers armed with machine guns, rockets and the odd AAA but in a very hilly terrain) and Korea, where you can skirmish against American equipment. Campaign missions range from fixed target destruction (such as a bunker or a fuel depot), troop deployment (or evacuation), attack enemy positions or even lasing a target for the MiGs. There are day, night and foggy missions, where you have to rely just on instruments for navigation, making pre-mission planning (you can edit the flight plan to include more waypoints, or move them to go round or over a mountain, for instance) more important.

Each campaign include 10 scenarios that can be played by their own, along several training missions (which are crucial to get the most of the helicopter). Netplay is included, and given the similarities between Hind and Apache, owners of each game can go head to head together.

You probably feel like a crash test dummy when you’re playing this game - it’s not only a racing game, but you get points for wrecking your enemies! The amount of points you get depends on how you hit them … e.g. you get more points for getting them do a 360 other than driving into theirs sides at high speed. The game has more to offer: a head to head mode with only two cars or the legendary destruction derby itself - a huge arena, every car starts at the edge of it, and then - have a nice crash!

This is the quintessential fantasy strategy game. If you’ve ever played the Magic: the Gathering CCG or if you just enjoy the concept of Wizards waging magical, economical, and tactical war as they vie for supremacy on 2 planes of existence, then this is the game for you! It runs a little slow compared to modern games, but people this game predates Windows 95! The whole game file is less than 20 MB! It’s also a little glitchy, but these glitches were always there and have nothing to do with ClassicGamingPresents.com. They were present in the original release and were part of the lack of intrest in the original release. These glitches are sporadic, however, and hardly ever interfere with the flow of the game. If one occurs, you simply exit the program and relaunch it. Problem solved. This game came out during the height of Microprose’ Glory days. It really is a fantastic game.

Rating: ***** [5 of 5 Stars!]