Red Shark Demo

Helicopters are not a new invention, but the ones used for combat require a lot of technology in order to be feasible on the battlefield. As you may be aware, though, the pilots need to keep a lot of things under control at the same time, which makes it that much more difficult to worry about shooting straight as well, especially when it is a life and death situation.

Red Shark is an arcade shooter with not a lot of ambition, considering the fact that it decided to avoid being unique and original, by opting for a more simple path. Hence, you pilot a helicopter and you have to shoot everything that shoots back at you, it’s as simple as that. You do not even have to worry about piloting the helicopter, as long as you remember to accelerate every once in a while.

The story talks about a Russian scientific breakthrough, which allows them to build a functioning time machine and have its power at their disposal. Because nothing else came to mind, they decide to use the machine in order to send an attack helicopter back during the first World War, in order to change the past and decimate their enemies, thus building a better future for Russia. It doesn’t make too much sense, but not a lot of emphasis is put on it anyway.

The gameplay is nothing to stand in awe of either, since you just have to march forward and destroy every enemy building or unit. Some of these vehicles shoot back, which makes it vital for you to perform some evasive maneuvers from time to time. The helicopter has infinite ammunition, so you really do not have to worry about anything other than to keep the crosshair on the enemy.

You might find it difficult to do so, however, because the helicopter is rather difficult to control up in the air. It’s not because of realism, mind you, but because the machine responds poorly to your commands and there’s nothing you can do to improve the situation. Thankfully, the visual quality might distract you from time to time, since there are some very interesting landscapes that can be admired along the way.

Red Shark has very little upsides, one of which happens to be the graphics engine, although not even that means too much anymore, after all this time. Hence, you are left with a game that’s difficult to control, repetitive, linear, and way too arcade to make the experience feel exciting in any way.