Heliborne shows a significant amount of potential for a game so early in development.

One of the first things of note is the Helicopter models themselves which are fantastic visually both in battle and when observed in the current “Hanger”. The involvement of both Crew and Ground Troops really gives a great sense of immersion throughout the gameplay. The rapid pace of deployment and general tempo of a battle really suits the nature of Helicopter combat situations and balances really well with the Arcade style of the game. A real sense of progression can be felt when moving through the Vietnam era Helicopters such as the UH-1D through to the more modern combatants such as the ACH-47 Chinook which is exceptionally fun to fly. Equally the Mi-24V and AH-64 D where also two standout vehicles that were great to take out into battle, with both offering very aggressive and offensive styles of play. Of the 3 main classifications, (Attack, Assault and Recon) Recon seemed to be the weakest (From a balance and fun perspective) and least played class. Currently they have very little impact or function within a battle while the Assault and Attack where much closer in terms of general fun and effectiveness in combat.

The maps are good in terms of design and spacing with the overall graphics being very respectable at this early stage. Lots of lighting effects and visual detail really made many aspects stand out. Whilst the graphics are far from perfect at such an early stage, they do not deduct from the gameplay or fun elements of the game.

The prospect of customization, unlocks and progression throughout the game does present an interesting array of concepts and ideas that can really benefit the game once in a more solid state. The range of weaponry and arms available as well as the variants of Helicopters currently in game set the stage for some really interesting outcomes down the line.

In terms of development, I think the main focal point really needs to be the UI and interface in general. Lots of the HUD elements feel clunky and deduct from the gameplay due to their somewhat outdated feel. Key components such as the map feel underused and irrelevant, whilst the chat is very pertrusive and often clashes in front of the Helicopter whilst in combat. Team leaderboards and some of the menus in particular feel very

Additionally, the Ground Targets found at hostile bases are very unpredictable in a sense of comprehending how to effectively attack and combat them. Some seem to instantly down an attacking Helicopter whilst others seem to do very little. More complexity and diverse situations will obviously come over time, however attention is needed in terms of Air-to-Ground combat as this is a key factor of any battle engagement.

Overall the game is fantastic fun to play and has a very interesting gameplay style that suits the pace of Helicopter warfare perfectly.

Heliborne shows a significant amount of potential for a game so early in development. One of the first things of note is the Helicopter models themselves which are fantastic visually both in battle and when observed in the current “Hanger”. The involvement of both Crew and Ground Troops really gives a great sense of immersion throughout the gameplay. The rapid pace of deployment and general tempo of a battle really suits the nature of Helicopter combat situations and balances really well with the Arcade style of the game. A real sense of progression can be felt when moving through the Vietnam era Helicopters such as the UH-1D through to the more modern combatants such as the ACH-47 Chinook which is exceptionally fun to fly. Equally the Mi-24V and AH-64 D where also two standout vehicles that were great to take out into battle, with both offering very aggressive and offensive styles of play. Of the 3 main classifications, (Attack, Assault and Recon) Recon seemed to be the weakest (From a balance and fun perspective) and least played class. Currently they have very little impact or function within a battle while the Assault and Attack where much closer in terms of general fun and effectiveness in combat. The maps are good in terms of design and spacing with the overall graphics being very respectable at this early stage. Lots of lighting effects and visual detail really made many aspects stand out. Whilst the graphics are far from perfect at such an early stage, they do not deduct from the gameplay or fun elements of the game. The prospect of customization, unlocks and progression throughout the game does present an interesting array of concepts and ideas that can really benefit the game once in a more solid state. The range of weaponry and arms available as well as the variants of Helicopters currently in game set the stage for some really interesting outcomes down the line. In terms of development, I think the main focal point really needs to be the UI and interface in general. Lots of the HUD elements feel clunky and deduct from the gameplay due to their somewhat outdated feel. Key components such as the map feel underused and irrelevant, whilst the chat is very pertrusive and often clashes in front of the Helicopter whilst in combat. Team leaderboards and some of the menus in particular feel very Additionally, the Ground Targets found at hostile bases are very unpredictable in a sense of comprehending how to effectively attack and combat them. Some seem to instantly down an attacking Helicopter whilst others seem to do very little. More complexity and diverse situations will obviously come over time, however attention is needed in terms of Air-to-Ground combat as this is a key factor of any battle engagement. Overall the game is fantastic fun to play and has a very interesting gameplay style that suits the pace of Helicopter warfare perfectly.