As a gamer reminiscing about the past, I can’t forget my love for the iconic Strike series that began in 1992 with Desert Strike Return to the Gulf, masterfully crafted by Gremlin Interactive. However, after only five short years, new entries seemed to vanish.
The gaming world was rapidly evolving in the late ‘90s, embracing 3D graphics and more immersive cinematic experiences. This shift made the classic isometric style feel a bit outdated, I must admit. Electronic Arts, our trusted publisher, chose to focus on other popular franchises such as Battlefield and Medal of Honor, which aligned better with the times. Unfortunately, this meant that Nuclear Strike (1997) was the final installment in the series.
But fear not, fellow Strike enthusiasts! The legacy of our beloved series is far from lost, with several promising successors on the horizon, keeping the essence of Strike burning bright.
Bringing back the classics: How indie devs are reviving retro gaming
The resurgence of classic games is being sustained primarily by the emergence of independent developers. Unlike modern games focused on intricate graphics and complex mechanics, many indie teams are emphasizing the same engaging gameplay that characterized the original retro games, keeping them fun and addictive.
In recent times, several game developers are acknowledging the appeal of classic designs and a more subtle art style, as demonstrated by games like DEEP STATE, Task Force Admiral, FlyKnight, Commandos: Origins, and even what Wolfeye Studios are currently working on. This trend suggests that traditional gaming mechanics continue to captivate contemporary gamers. Notably, developers have recognized the absence of a genuine successor to the iconic game, Desert Strike. Consequently, we can expect a variety of new games in this genre soon, with one of them already available on Steam.
Megacopter: Blades of the Goddess
Megacopter by Pizza Bear Games pays homage to ’80s and ’90s classics such as Choplifter and the Strike series, while also incorporating the futuristic style of Airwolf and Knight Rider. This game offers rapid-fire action, updated mechanics, and an exhilarating journey. Released in June 2024, a demo for this title can still be found on Steam.
It offers a range of tasks, an array of weaponry (enhanced with Pizza Tokens for upgrades), and certain magical skills.
Essentially, it’s like you’re causing chaos in an intelligent battle machine, cutting through lizard-like enemies. What could be more appealing?
Cleared Hot
In simple terms, “Cleared Hot from Cfinger Games is an upcoming helicopter shooter that offers a satisfying blend of physics and strategy. Engage in intense battles, evade incoming attacks, adjust your team’s positioning, and utilize your grappling hook and magnet to grab nearly anything.
We’ve got two options for taking down opponents: Blast them skyward using rockets, or fling rocks with our trusty rope. We can also sneak around unseen under the cloak of darkness, equipped with night vision goggles or thermal imaging. We’re not just limited to transporting troops, though – we can seize enemy territories and fortify our own bases. If that wasn’t already impressive enough, we can even divert missiles, tow tanks, or drop enemies from the heavens! Cool, huh?
The game includes a complete solo adventure, spanning across three distinct environments, offering numerous choppers that can be enhanced and tailored to your preferred equipment setup.
Cobra Strike
An exciting new game titled “Cobra Strike,” developed by somasolo, is approaching release. In this game, players will find themselves in the cockpit armed with machine guns, Hydra rockets, Hellfire missiles, and Sidewinders to masterfully control battles across land, sea, and air.
In this scenario, we’ll be testing iconic aircraft such as Apache, Cobra, Black Hawk, Huey (and more), each with distinct weapons and functions. This is similar to the gameplay in the Strike series, where we must focus on achieving objectives, monitor ammo and fuel supplies, protect allies, and rescue hostages.
The creator assures a visually appealing experience inspired by 16-bit graphics, coupled with the timeless feel of traditional gameplay, enhanced by contemporary comfort features.
Reflex Unit: Strike Ops
In the second quarter of 2025, the Reflex Unit game from ROBOSARU Games is scheduled for release. This exciting adventure will find us commanding an elite team in critical conflicts, while we dig up hidden truths to bring down Neotech before it’s all over.
Every vehicle offers distinct capabilities and battle strategies, with assignments varying from rescue operations to resource collection and full-scale attacks against enemy bases. Furthermore, there’s both player versus player (PVP) and cooperative (co-op) gameplay available.
Oh, and just so you know – a demo is already available on Steam!
Strike Force Damocles
In simple terms, “Strike Force Damocles” by Sandor Aranyi is a forthcoming game that reimagines traditional helicopter combat in a contemporary setting. It offers straightforward, swift-moving action with a unique spin on the classic formula.
As a game character, I’ll be soaring through the skies in an agile attack helicopter, bringing freedom to a desert nation under siege. My missions vary from blasting enemy convoys, demolishing fortified positions, to daring rescue operations. The choice is mine – I can tackle these objectives in any sequence, strategically map out my flight paths, and skillfully dance around long-range air defenses for the ultimate victory.
It certainly looks like the perfect throwback with a fresh coat of paint.
Call to Strike
As a gamer, I’m eagerly anticipating “Call to Strike” by Aphelium Digital, a new game that places me at the helm of an elite military unit. In this title, I’ll be leading high-stakes search-and-destroy missions where every decision matters.
It delivers thrilling fast-motion gameplay, combining traditional mechanics with contemporary enhancements, making it ideal for brief play sessions due to its swift battle assignments. Featuring adjustable challenge levels, varying weather conditions, and covert night operations, there’s a wealth of content to explore – however, the custom mission option truly captivates me. Now, let’s unleash our imagination!
Additionally, it offers compatibility with controllers, mice, keyboards, or even keyboard-exclusive gameplay, which is quite convenient.
- oldschool / retro
- isometric / top-down shooters
- Retro Gaming
- desert strike
- PC
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2025-02-20 16:33