Fly helicopter gunships in a tactical combat sim inspired by 90s classics. Master scalable flight controls, sensors and weapons across several combat zones. Tackle procedurally generated missions that play out differently each time. Play with gamepad, mouse and keyboard, or full HOTAS controls.

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Early Access Game

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Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“We're a small team, a very small team - actually just 1 person! Launching this game via Early Access allows me to engage with the community and receive feedback on what works in the game, and, more importantly, what doesn't.

Getting feedback from the community helps highlight the areas/features that people are passionate about and this helps guide game development in a positive direction.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“This game will be in Early Access for probably another 12 months.

Currently the game has 10 flyable helicopters and their associated weapon systems, 3 terrain types to fly over, a wide range of enemy and allied ground units and a comprehensive random mission generator.

The current beta is focused on single "challenge" missions as well as tutorial missions and a complete U.I. re-fresh.

I believe in constant updates and engaging with the community via the Steam Forums. I try to publish weekly updates and keep everyone informed about what is happening behind the scenes.

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“V1.0 of Helicopter Gunship D.E.X will hopefully contain the following....

- Wide variety of both western and eastern helicopters from a wide range of eras.

- Random mission generator is expected to be expanded to cover more terrain types as well as more complex mission interactions.

- Training missions

- Single "challenge" missions

- Tour of duty mission chains

V1.1 will hopefully include

- Dynamic campaign”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current Early Access version of the game includes 10 flyable helicopters - Apache, Lynx, Gazelle, Kiowa Warrior, AH-1Z Viper, RAH-66 Comanche, Mi-24 Hind, Chinook, Cheyenne & Blackhawk with their associated weapons and door gunners.

Controls have been optimised for GAMEPADS without sacrificing simulation options via a Sensor/Screen of Interest (SOI) plus modifier button system to expand the number of buttons available. Controls can be re-mapped to other devices (flight sticks, throttle controls, HOTAS etc) via the in game control mapper

A VR mode is available but is currently still a work in progress. You can read more about VR mode in the Steam Forums.

TrackIR, Open Track and Tobii Eye Tracker are all supported.

The random mission generator covers a variety of mission types including STRIKE, SEARCH & DESTROY, RECON, SEAD, Troop Transportation & Logistics missions. Each mission type has several different mission templates and can take place on 3 distinct terrains (Lush Desert, Norway & Central Libya).

Missions can take place at various times of the day including proper dark night time and you will be facing a variety of different enemy units.

Currently the enemy units consist of pre-1980 vehicles such as the BMP-1, Shilka, BTR-60, T-62M and Strela-1”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The price is likely to increase during the course of Early Access as the game becomes more feature rich.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“All players will be invited to join in the discussion about the game via the Steam forums where their feedback will be invaluable to the development of Helicopter Gunship DEX.

The Steam forums will provide areas for players to report bugs, request help and also voice their own ideas about the game. Community inspired ideas will then be considered for inclusion in the release version of the game.

The Steam forums will also be the primary place for information such as DevLogs etc. Steam is where the game is being sold so Steam is where all the information gets posted!

I am extremely active on the Steam forums and would like to invite anyone interested in this game to come and have a chat!”
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About This Game

Helicopter Gunship D.E.X is a tactical helicopter combat sim inspired by the classic helicopter games of the late 90s, rebuilt for modern players.

Fly attack helicopters across large combat zones, manage sensors and weapons, and take on procedurally generated missions where every sortie can unfold differently.

With scalable flight models, gamepad and HOTAS support, and authentic battlefield decision-making without burying you in complexity, HG:DEX aims to capture the thrill of low-level helicopter combat: Detect, Engage, eXfiltrate!

Arcade or Simulation?

You won't find any magically respawning missiles here! Instead you will find realistic weapon loadouts, a simulation level physics driven helicopter flight model and the usual targeting pods and RADAR systems you would expect in this type of game. You'll need to employ authentic tactics and systems but without the 300-key learning curve!

Overall difficulty can be adjusted, including:

  • Customisable flight model to make flying the helicopters much easier

  • Complete control of mission difficulty including enemy strength, AAA/SAM/MANPAD density etc

  • Simplified targeting controls

  • Enemy weapon damage modifier

  • Fuel usage modifiers

Flyable Helicopters

There are currently 10 main helicopters...

  • AH-64 Apache

  • Lynx

  • Gazelle

  • AH-1Z Viper

  • AH-56 Cheyenne

  • RAH-66 Comanche

  • Kiowa Warrior

  • Mi-24 Hind

  • Chinook

  • MH-60 Blackhawk DAP

...and most have several different versions.

Random Missions

The main part of the game revolves around the random mission generator that allows you to define your own procedurally generated engagements which will never play out the same way twice.

Mission types include Strike, SEAD, Search & Destroy, Recon, Transportation etc.

Deployment Point System

Each mission in Helicopter Gunship D.E.X utilises a deployment point system ensuring missions remain balanced and that older weapons and helicopters still have a role to play no matter what the mission involves.

Key Points

  • Fully playable from either 1st person in cockpit or 3rd person chase cam perspectives.

  • Fully playable with a gamepad but also completely re-bindable controls for HOTAS systems.

  • Special modes for mouse & keyboard flyers.

  • Robust procedurally generated random mission generator allowing you to quickly get into the action.

  • Multiple helicopter flight models ranging from Simple to Realistic that allows even novice helicopter pilots to get straight into the action.

  • Places you in direct control of both flying the helicopter and using the various targeting systems to designate and destroy targets.

  • Easy to get into but still difficult and rewarding to master.

  • 3 distinct terrains to fight over. Central Libya (100km x 50km), Coastal Norway  (40km x 40km) & Lush Desert (40km x 40km).

Weapons & Targeting

Weapon load outs are based on real world helicopter capabilities and you will use the same kind of real-world targeting systems such as "SACLOS", "Laser", "RADAR" etc to detect, designate and destroy your mission targets.

A slight departure from reality is that you, the pilot, will be in direct control of designating targets and firing weapons even in helicopters that have co-pilot/gunner positions. Your CP/G will aid in target identification and spotting targets visually.

Weapon types range from modern Fire & Forget, like the Brimstone, to Cold War era weapons, such as the TOW, as well as a wide range of rocket pods, gun pods, bombs & door gunners.

VR & Head Tracking

Helicopter Gunship D.E.X supports TrackIR, OpenTrack and Tobii Eye Tracking via the TrackIR software.

VR mode is available but not fully supported just yet. You can read more about VR support in the Steam Forums.

Upcoming Features

Single "challenge" missions & training missions are the main focus of the current beta. 

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

A.I. upscaling is used to generate high resolution textures where only low resolution images exist. e.g. low resolution satellite terrain.

Text-to-speech tools are utlised to provide radio communications during Early Access development.

Some original music tracks have been enhanced using A.I. tools such as mastering, stem splitting, extension and variation creation.

In all cases the original track's copyright is fully owned by JimmyArcade Ltd.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Microsoft Windows 10
    • Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 1400
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or equivalent
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 20 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Microsoft Windows 10
    • Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 or equivalent
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Storage: 20 GB available space

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Very Positive (203 reviews)






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