Review

The classic 8-bit title Thrust inspired a mini-genre based around flying a spaceship against the forces of gravity, but that was when people could get away with that sort of thing. As far as the Playstation goes, developers have tried to make the joypad almost invisible and when a game comes along which actually challenges a player's dexterity- as in G-Police- it is universally scorned. <br><br>There is a mini revival going on at the moment though. Psygnosis' Lander looks to be a highly intricate 3D play on Thrust, while Shiny's Dave Perry has decided to turn his love of helicopters into this highly realistic model copter sim. Cleverly employing the analogue pad to mimic a true remote controller, R/C Stunt Copter offers the player various stages of flight challenge. <br><br>R/C Stunt Copter is not a game as we know it, Dave Perry has billed the title as a full-on software toy and that's exactly what it is. Shiny even attained help from the US remote controlled helicopter champion, Chuck Youngblood to get the different copter's physics just right. The main point for the game is that the title is solidly realistic, so, although it takes a while to get the hang of, it isn't aggravating- you actually feel as though you are developing a skill. <br><br>However, the other main point against the game is also the control system. While at times it can be seen as a great help, at others it is nothing more than a hindrance. Those that like a game which you can pick up and play should avoid this title as it will takes days, if not weeks, to master the complex control system. The idea is that one analogue stick controls the throttle while the other controls direction. Sounds easy, but believe me it's not. <br><br>You begin the game by entering the endless training mode. You should be awarded a medal for surviving this let alone the actual one player mode. When you get into the real game, you find it sweetly satisfying until you get to one of the dreadful Slalom or Target levels. You see the problem is that while your goal is never far away, the totally unnatural controls seem to do their best to prevent you getting there. For example, the controls are totally unsitable for the Slalom levels which consist of doing laps between goal posts on a football field. This, like the control system, may sound easy but the fact that it is impossible to stop the copter to get a decent turn makes these levels unbelievably frustrating. You'll have to tie your foot to the floor to prevent yourself from kicking in the TV screen when you see your copter crashing into one of the goalposts yet again. <br><br>And that leads us to the next problem with the controls, the copter is very unresponsive. It always seem as if it takes a few seconds for a move that you have made to register on screen, and with a title which boasts it's control system as it's main concept, this just isn't acceptable. Some of the levels require precise movement and this just can't be carried out. Push on the analogue stick as hard as you want when trying to stop but the copter will still move a couple of feet to the left of your proposed position. This makes stages such as the Target level immensely frustrating. While there has obviously been a lot of thought put into the game - the graphics are bright and colourful while the sound effects are unfortunately realistic and whiny - it lacks the kind of depth that makes us want to get to the end of most games. The challenge is not completing it; it's just being able to do anything with some kind of proficiency. <br><br>There aren't many tests in the game. It's purely the control system which offers any type of longevity and considering that it breaks nearly every gameplay rule in the book, there's not much to keep you coming back for more. The levels are often uninspiring and lack the action packed, adrenaline-fuelled energy of, say, Metal Gear Solid or Tomb Raider 3. The fact is that you're going to have to be a big remote control helicopter fan to purchase this title, and if you've got one of the things already then there really is no reason to own this game. R/C Stunt Copter is really for those who would love to own a copter but can't afford to fork out the £2000+ price tag for one. <br><br>R/C Stunt Copter is a game which you'll either love or hate. Some will adore it's realism and charisma while others will completely loathe it's control system. Forty pound is a lot of money and when you consider that there are so many other, better titles on the market, Stunt Copter quickly loses some of it's appeal. If you are tempted by it's idea, then I suggest that you try before you buy, and make sure that you get yourself ready for many, many frustrating hours of battling with the control system, rather than any gameplay challenges. Still, it does deserve some acclaim for being a shade of innovation in a rainbow of sequels.