Please EA, re-release the Strike series!

User Rating: 8.3 | Desert Strike: Wangan Sakusen GEN
By jemlyn | Review Date:
Good, good memories of this one. Probably the best series on Mega Drive next to the Sonic games, Desert Strike offered up excellent playability and an interesting mix of combat and mission objectives. The action took place over an isometric battlefield, the gulf war being the inspiration for the conflict. The player controlled a chopper armed with machine guns and missiles, and the action mostly consisted of taking out specified targets in a given order, and rescuing allies, though there was a small element of free roaming, and if you were good (or crazy) enough it was possible to attack the targets in any order, and search the map for bonuses.

This was the first game I can remember playing where I had to actually figure out the best plan of attack in advance, as flying in all guns blazing into just any old area got you taken out pretty damn quick. Then there was the fuel gauge to keep an eye on, it was sometimes a small juggling act to maintain fuel, armour, and complete the current mission, but always a lot of fun.

This wonderful game was played and replayed many times, and few titles on this system could really match it. Desert Strike was followed later by Jungle Strike, and then Soviet Strike, and while these sequels did offer more diverse locations, more vehicles, and lengthier campaigns, it was really the core gameplay mechanics forged here that made the Strike series what it was.

Too many years have passed since my last play of Desert Strike or it's sequels. Here's hoping EA release some kind of retro package soon with these excellent games included. Fond memories of a lot of wasted hours.

Other Helpful Reviews for Desert Strike: Wangan Sakusen

Load Comments (0)