"Ka-50: Black Shark

Author: Dmitry Karasev
Source: PC GAMES number in December 2008	04.11.2008

Meet a Ka-50, also known as "Black Shark" - single combat attack helicopter, adopted by the Russian Army adopted in 1995. And this - Moscow studio Eagle Dynamics, who became famous through a series of Flanker and its successor - the game Lock On: Modern Air Combat. And this is - a new creation of domestic developers. This time they decided to change their priorities, and instead of assorted fighters offered to our attention the most famous helicopter of Russian origin. For such shots, "Ka-50" can be forgiven much The Russian side, as you see, eager for the fight Flying fish "Black Shark" - not just a game. This is, pardon the pun involuntary, the first robin series Digital Combat Simulator, which has been undertaken Eagle Dynamics. Following the Ka-50 before us will soon have to appear in the American AH-64A helicopter and attack aircraft A-10A, and behind them, and other flying machines. Why, you ask, a shortage of aviation - one unit on the game? This is precisely the meaning of the series - to make just one machine, but so that everyone gasped. On the efforts of Eagle Dynamics says at least the fact that the basis for the programming model helicopter has been taken really existing model Ka-50, but the creation of games participated Design Bureau "Kamov" in which "Black Shark" and appeared in the light. I admit, the brainchild of Eagle Dynamics hard game to call. Yes, "Ka-50" per se and is not - suffice to say that even at the testing stage "Black Shark" was used in the Air Force Academy Gagarin for training helicopter pilots. In the English title so black and white, and indicated: Digital Combat Simulator, «combat simulator" that is. Do not come, they say, bite! A biting really hurts - realistic flight model is capable of causing a shock even trained other flight simulators rights. Most of the games we watch from the cabin a la "hello, claustrophobia" Planes in the game too are capable of extraordinary actions Heavily in teaching So, you know what to do if it enters the vortex ring? How to avoid engine failure due to hypothermia? Want to get the experience of piloting a helicopter in extreme weather conditions (fog, rain, fire, portable missile systems)? Then welcome to the Ka-50: Black Shark "! Just keep in mind: a guide to managing the helicopter takes 400 pages of fine print, and the regime Tutorial, in the best traditions of all flight simulators, professes the principle of "heavily in the teaching - fight easy." In other words, the instructor simply dumped on you a mountain of information, while clicking in the face of some dials and levers. Remember all this is physically impossible, it is easier to record on video and analyze each frame separately. But if you're not scared of difficulties learning and decide to go "Ka-50" to the end, I congratulate you: you are - a happy man. And not just because after the passage of the simulator can safely take the examination for the right to control helicopter gunships. And because the "Black Shark" - one of those games that do not give a completely write off the genre aviasimov accounts. Yes, at first glance, you think that all here as usual. The plot tells about the next activation of gangs in the North Caucasus. The fighting is a series of unrelated to each other missions. Assignments will not shine with originality - the usual for aviasimov set "flew-shot-back." However, the true fan of air battles, "Black Shark" is able to sit down for a long time before the screen. The game does not make any concessions, and not for a second gives you a question in the proper status of the combat pilot. At first glance a simple task often fraught trick. Take, for example, a third mission - during the briefing, it seems that we offer only take a short excursion into the mountains. That's only on-site revealed that the visibility is now - zero, and not to poke his nose into some rock, will have to go solely on instruments. Smooth flow of the missions are often interrupted by scripted surprises. Thing is, of course, disposable, but enjoyable. For the second time you can call their friends, create your own good job with built-in editor is not difficult. Demonstrating features of the engine, "Ka-50" - traced in detail the helicopter for scarce scenery An abundance of beautiful explosions "Ka-50" can not boast. Even your death becomes a sort of everyday event ... With little motor But not in a hurry to shout "Hurray!". For all its merits, "Ka-50" has two significant drawbacks, more precisely, one: in fact, we face the same Lock On, only with a propeller. Yes, Eagle Dynamics drove his creation into the hangar and had a major overhaul the engine, but about how to set the model for the new generation, there was no question. And nothing - after all the arms race goes on, and "Black Shark" boasts the only outdated picture: detailed model of the native flaunts helicopter on the background scenery, consisting of muddy spots. However, the tail rotor with it, with a picture. In the end, an additional processor load, and so busy miscalculation of physics, terrestrial life and everything else would be a true sadism. And since "The Ka-50" and did not think to bring problems, even when there are more users online at one of ten players. The snag in the other. At one time, Lock On has got a pretty spectacular sacrificed realism.No doubt, modern air battles take place exactly as shown Eagle Dynamics: somewhere over the horizon comes flying cruise missile, and one plane in the sky becomes less. But, by golly, "IL-2," with its desperate struggle staring advantageous. From "Black Shark", many are also waiting for an exciting action packed, even at the expense of realism. And in the end? The result was even worse Lock On - in fact planes though occasionally, but face nose to nose, and helicopters (in reality, not in the Enemy Engaged 2) "hand to hand" do not walk ever. However, hand on heart, tell yourself - if so much suffering from it "Black Shark"? Why did you come here? It is not in order to portray Rambo, no, you came here to get experience in the administration of this military helicopters in real combat conditions, and the "real" than the Eagle Dynamics, has not yet invented, and is unlikely to come up in the near future. Detailed game that lives on the real rules, has a very lively atmosphere - a "Ka-50" has everything to get the best title aviasima of the year. And it is not the absence of competitors. Before us is no longer a "game about the helicopters, but a real digital copy of the Ka-50.