Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Dec 19, 2022

  31 Dec 23 In the little over a month since my last update, the updates have been coming thick & fast, as you can see for yourself. The game is really getting fleshed-out now, with an increased roster of helos and the expanded "battlespace". If I was a little cautious in recommending it before, I'm certainly not now: no need for nuance, it's a solid "buy". 23 Dec 22 With a few more hours under my belt I'd recommend waiting for it to be fleshed-out, but Steam doesn't allow any nuance so it's thumbs down for now. but I'll leave it "thumbs up" because the way Steam reviews work, a "thumbs down" would have an unwarranted negative effect on the game, which it certainly doesn't deserve. The game continues to get patches and updates practically daily, so I've no doubt it won't be too long before it becomes readily playable for anyone without a console controller and the missions expand beyond "fly there, shoot this, fly back". 18 Dec 22 A quick EA review for my Heliborne friends. This leans more towards "sim" than HB, but it's still very accessible (a long way from DCS levels of complication). Single player only and that's not going to change in the near future (if at all), although AI/NPC squadron wingmen are likely in the medium term. At the moment the controls present quite a challenge, as it's been built around controllers (rather than KB&M or HOTAS), but that's rapidly improving: eg trackIR support was added last week. Importantly, the dev is very engaged, very approachable and very committed: definite iTold vibes. There's not a huge amount of content just now and considering the struggle you'll have if you don't have a controller, it's a "support the dev" purchase just now. But updates are coming thick and fast, so I don't think it will be too long before it's a "hard yes".
• gamedeal user

  Dec 20, 2022

  Great beta of a Combat helicopter sim which has great potential. Its playable now in instant action and getting constant fixes weekly. The dynamic campaign will come later. Currently you have every mark of AH-64 Apache to fly plus the French Sa 341. I like the fact the developer listens to his customers and provides patches very quickly. Great communication and hes a fan of flight sims too which is why hes making this.
• igoryoufool

  Jan 3, 2023

  This is a great start! Helicopter Gunship DEX is designed to be a light combat flight sim, playable with a controller, that harks back to the likes of Gunship 2000. So far it's living up to that premise with a simple but engaging targeting system, adjustable flight model, randomised missions and varied helicopters and weapons. The developer's responsiveness to suggestions and queries is excellent as well.
• baconrickie

  Jan 12, 2023

  done about 5 hours of this game, took a little while to get use to the controls and get my joystick set up right but once thats done i really started to enjoy this game, lots of potential, looking forward to more developments defo worth a look if you like the old school mircopose simlutations games
• gamedeal user

  Jan 23, 2023

  UPDATE February 5th, 2023: New content has been added to the sim: AH-1Z Viper, APKWS pods (guided 70mm rockets) + fixes and polish! Original Review:

  The Return of the Survey Sim

  If you are an older sim enthusiast or grew up in the 80s and 90s, you' probably remember some of the great flight sims of the time. And if names like Microprose or Jane's Combat Simulations evoke memories of the golden era of flight simulations, then this game is for you! Survey Sim? Sim-Lite? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Before we go into more detail about Helicopter Gunship D.E.X. (or HGDEX for short), we should first define the terms "survey sim", "sim-lite" or "lo-fi sim". Back in the 80s and 90s, flight sim devs were very ambitious - but they had to be really creative in order fit the limitations of PCs with limited processing power So while many aspired to deliver a realistic and engrossing experience, simulating every nut and bolt just wasn't feasible back then. Additionally, information about military equipment was limited, so some guesswork was involved. The resulting experience was one that had a certain level of authenticity, yet was also easy to pick up and learn. Modern "hardcore sims" such as DCS are a prime example of going 'too far' towards realism. Arcade action games, on the other hand, can be fun but lack depth and long-term motivation. Oldschool "survey sims" (as opposed to "study sims") strike a perfect balance between the two. And I am happy to say that HGDEX is firmly rooted in the survey sim category. A love letter to the zenith of flight simulations The lone developer of HGDEX cites the likes of Enemy Engaged and Comanche Gold as main inspirations; and it shows in the best way possible! What this means is that specifications for vehicles and their equipment is close to reality, with realistic behavior. Where HGDEX takes artistic liberty to serve gameplay is simplified controls for accessbility. The developer has even found a way to make this sim accessible for gamepad users. Surprisingly, this does not disqualify HGDEX as being a sim - I can assure you that it is perfectly playable (and probably WAY more fun!) using a joystick or HOTAS. TrackIR is also being supported! (Side note: I have used both a Saitek X45 and Logitech G940 HOTAS and both work fine.) A diamond in the rough Keep in mind that at the time of this review, HGDEX is still in Early Access. If you see any asset that looks rough you can sure that it's a placeholder and will replaced in time. Features and content are being added regularly - the developer aims to release at least one significant update each week. If you head over to the discussion forums you'll see that the dev is very active and usually offers quick and detailed responses to user questions. And it is also a rare pleasure to see someone who is as open towards feedback! So if you have concerns about Early Access, I hear you. Chances are you've been burned by EA titles before. There is no guarantee that a title will be developed to your satisfaction or even be completed at all! But if the quality of the current features as well as the developer's dedication are any indication, things are looking good for the future of this sim. So what's in the box? There isn't a huge amount of content yet. One of the goals is to have a dynamic campaign, but right now there are only single missions generated by the mission generator. Sortie types include SEAD, Search & Destroy and Strike missions. The number of ground vehicles in the game is also somewhat limited, with one type of AAA (Shilka), SAM (Strela) and MBT (T-62M) each, plus other vehicles such as APCs and armored scout cars (BTR-60 and BRDM-2 respectively). When it comes to flyable choppers, you get 3 distinctly different helicopters with several models each: 3 different models of Apache, 3 Gazelle versions and 2 different Lynx models are currently playable. Available weapons include Hellfires (Laser & Radar), unguided Rockets, Gunpods and different types of wire-guided missiles (TOW and HOT-3). Additionally, artillery strikes are also available (which are spectacular to use!). UPDATE 2023-01-23: I forgot to mention that many more flyable choppers are planned: Hind, Viper, Blackhawk, Kiowa, Tiger/Tigre, Bo 105, Alligator/Blackshark, Mi-26, Chinook and more... Aside from setting things to random, you can set OPFOR difficulty and choose from time of day/night, but weather is currently limited to clear visibility only. As for locations, there is only one available at this time ("lush desert"). Ugh, so many words! I just wanna shoot stuff! Remember, this is no action game. This IS a sim, even though it is designed to be accessible! Don't fly high and go in guns blazing. Flying low, utilizing cover, evaluating the situation and exposing yourself as little as possible is the name of the game. The flight model is really good and controls are precise, so flying nap-of-the-earth is easy to learn. At one point you ARE going to be shot at with guns and missiles and will go down sooner or later. But that only means there's more to learn: How can you adjust your approach next time? tl;dr HGDEX is easy to learn, but already deep enough to provide many hours of fun. How well does the game perform? HGDEX performs reasonably well, especially for a game that hasn't seen significant optimization yet. On my machine (Core i7-6700K @4.3GHz, 32 GB DDR4, RTX 3060 Ti) I get between ~48 and 54 FPS at 4K. At slightly lower rendering resolution constant 60 FPS is possible. There are also more gfx options to be added in future updates. Graphically speaking, you can't expect the level of fidelilty of MSFS 2020 or DCS, of course - but the assets and effects that aren't obvious placeholders are looking pretty good already. I would also like to point out that for a military sim the aesthetics of certain things are more important than sheer fidelity - i.e. the way "hot" units look when viewed through FLIR, how light sources appear in nightvision, the look of weapon impacts. All of these are stylistically consistent and provide a believable, immersive experience. You should still expect some things to look odd or unpolished, though - but that is the nature of the beast that is Early Access. Verdict and a few personal words Do I recommend Helicopter Gunship D.E.X.? Yes, I wholeheartedly do! Just understand this is a survey sim, not a hardcore study sim or arcade action game; you can have a lot of fun already!. And if you want to keep up with the latest features and content I recommend looking if a beta version is available (right click the game in your steam library -> properties -> betas), which is where new features and content will be added first. At the time of this review there is a Beta containing an early version of the frontlines feature, and I have spent most of my current playtime in this beta. The game is remarkably stable (no crashes in 11+ hours) and bug-free for an Early Access game, even in its beta release. On a personal note, I would like to add that this sim already holds a special place in my heart because it reignited my love for flight simulations that I had thought all but lost. For years my various joystick/HOTAS were mostly collecting dust, as the only remaining sims these days were much too hardcore, expensive and time-consuming for me to enjoy; EEAH/EECH community development has ceased almost completely and it is getting increasingly hard to run properly on modern hardware as well... And there aren't many comparable helicopter sims available nowadays. The developer behind HGDEX loves the sims of old just as much as many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s do, and understands what made them so much fun in the first place. This provides me with hope and confidence regarding the future of this project. If you love survey sims, give it a chance and I am sure you won't be disappointed!
• gamedeal user

  Jan 26, 2023

  Very good sim lite Gunship game, Cant wait for more and campaigns. What is here already is very good so its looking promising for the future .
• gamedeal user

  Jan 31, 2023

  Original Jan 31st 2023 review: It's a really promising light-sim. The dev is really active and open to suggestions. Many control options from keyboard and mouse, gamepad, HOTAS... headtracking support. All controls are customizable so you can change stability, sensibility... And there are several flyable helos already, each one with different feeling and pylons with more to come! Finally, you get points for successfully take off. 11/10 April 22nd 2023 edit: Can't praise the game and the dev enough. Since my first review we have more helos (and more to come. And a Harrier), more polished controls, more graphic options incredibly helpful to play with potato computers, works on Steam Deck, new gorgeous Norway map and the roadmap for the next updates is exciting!
• Maxfubar101

  Feb 1, 2023

  This game even in the stage that it is currently in is very enjoyable to play. If you have ever enjoyed an easy to use heli sim this fills that void we've been missing. So far I've only messed around with the Apache, but with this game in early access i can't wait to see how far the Dev can take it with each new update. And to the Dev thank you please keep up the great work.
• zaphat

  Feb 17, 2023

  The busy man's DCS Apache: a simlite with oldschool game/mission design, newschool flight model and avioics, and a very communicative, talented developer who actively listens to your feedback. So it is a nice package altogether for the price of a couple of beers in your favourite bar. (I could setup the controls relatively quick and also perfectly, even though I have a weird way of simming: left stick+right mouse combo.)
• =GB=DoGm4*

  Feb 18, 2023

  So back in the day I played games such as LHX attack chopper, Gunship 2000 and Jane's Apache Longbow etc. Over the years I kind of forgot about flight sims and tended to play more RTS and FPS based games. Recently I discovered DCS world and my love of flight sims was re-ignited. I then had a search to see if there was anything like Jane's out there and could find nothing!! I then stumbled across Helicopter Gunship DEX quite by accident and, although it was "Early access" (and I've read many a review about early access where the game turns out to be a crock or the developer disappears without completing) decided to take a punt.....I'm sooo glad I did, although it is still a little rough around the edges it is eminently playable (granted only the quick mission option is available atm) and so far I have spent a good few Sunday afternoons landing upside down..... The developer (Just the one guy) has worked and is working really hard on this game and it really shows. There are constant updates and the best bit about these is that a lot of them are based on feedback from people playing the game. He is also very quick to respond to any issues/queries that you have (although this might become a bit of a struggle for him as this gem gains more followers!!) and the passion he has for this game clearly shows through!! Would I recommend this "Early access" game? HELL YES all day long!!! Jimmy, keep up the good work!!