Choplifter HD Review

 Hey do you guys like Helicopters? Do you like things in HD? THEN YOU MAY LOVE CHOPLIFTER HD! Yeah I really don’t have much to say this time around. This is just another example of my “ANY NEW GAMES PLAYED IN 2012 MUST BE REVIEWED” rule.

 Choplifter HD is another game that follows the popular trend of trying to revamp an old arcade franchise by giving it a high definition facelift. In the original versions of Choplifter you play as a helicopter pilot who has to rescue various dudes. The game takes place on a 2d plane, but occasionally enemies will show up in the foreground, and you can blast them to bits. The main goal is to get all of the passengers out alive and to rack up as many points as possible. The game is made for speed runs and encourages a mastery of the system. It’s from a time in which arcades still ruled, and high scores were king. 

For better or worse, Choplifter HD is more Choplifter action. I honestly considered simply copying and pasting the last paragraph but adding a few “HDs” here and there. You see while the new release does add a few new features like witty dialogue, online leaderboards, and star ratings; the overall experience feels very much the same. In the HD remake, you still control a helicopter on a 2d plane, you still run around shooting enemies and picking up survivors, and you can still occasionally shoot dudes in the foreground.

If there are any diehard “Choplifter” fans out there, they are sure to love the new release as it does add some new goodies for long time fans. There are multiple unlockable choppers in this edition, as well as a helpful map system at the top which tells you where gas pick-ups and survivors are. There are also certain hidden objectives hidden within each level like rescuing Scoop Sanderson the snarky television reporter.

Good Ole Scoop

Oh yeah and there are Zombies. In some missions you will be tasked with defending a specific area against waves of the undead. You know because all modern games need Zombies right? There are also a few other goofy enemies like chickens and goats, but they only show up in specific missions. The game does not take itself seriously, and that’s a good thing as the humorous attitude somewhat makes up for the dull gameplay. 

It’s not that Choplifter HD is a bad game. Choplifter HD is a completely functional game, but the HD facelift doesn’t manage to rip the original formula out from the depths of the doldrums. There is nothing terribly great about the game, and yet there is nothing god-awful about it either. In short Choplifter HD is no Pacman Championship Edition. Just go buy Pacman Championship Edition.

Hell Yeah