Review: Sim Copter: Part 1

Good computer games are kind of like good movies... a really good one only comes along once in a while, but when it does, you want to play it again and again.

Such is the case with the recent release in Maxis' "Sim" series, "SimCopter." The "Sim" series has always been an indication of high quality, and I am happy to report that the latest incarnation does not disappoint. The success of Maxis' "Sim" franchise can be traced back many years, to when they released "SimCity," which could only be described as revolutionary.

The concept -- building a entire city, complete with roads, residential areas, commercial areas, trains, and more, was never done before. The game defied classification -- was it an action game, a simulation, or a strategy game? Whatever it was called, it was a great game, with infinite "re-playability," and not surprisingly, SimCity was the first game I bought for my "new" 286 computer.

After "SimCity," Maxis followed it up with a series of similar games, each building on the formula that made SimCity great. "SimEarth," "SimAnt," "SimIsle," "SimTown," "SimCity 2000," and even "Sim Health Care" were all great games, but never managed to completely copy what made SimCity so great (with maybe the exception of SimCity 2000, which many think was amazing, but I still like the original better).

"SimCopter" is based on a very fast (in Windows 95, no less), detailed 3-D engine, which is quite impressive in the amount of detail it contains. The "game" requires you to fly a series of helicopters around the city, performing a variety of activities, including rescuing citizens (called "Sims") off of tall buildings or over-turned boats, clearing up traffic, putting out fires (using your trusty water cannon or a large bucket), and even tracking down escaped criminals. You get cash when you perform a specified task, which enables you to upgrade your helicopter.

The various game events happen in rapid succession, sometimes not giving you enough time to head back to the hanger for repairs or fuel. Running out of gas is the last thing you want to do when cruising above your city at a few hundred feet. Most of the tasks require you to do it in a small time-frame -- leave a VIP waiting too long for transport, and you'll slowly lose points.

Next Week: Part 2

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