| Comanche 3 | |
| Developer: | NovaLogic |
| Publisher: | NovaLogic |
| Platforms: | MS-DOS, Windows (Gold) |
| Engine: | Voxel Space 2 |
| Genre: | Combat flight simulator |
| Modes: | Single player, multiplayer |
| Series: | Comanche |
Comanche 3 is a video game developed and published by NovaLogic for MS-DOS on May 1, 1997.[1]
Comanche 3 is a military helicopter flight simulator that features a number of missions on a variety of terrains.
A year after initial release on April 22, 1998 Comanche 3 Gold was released. This re-packaging of the game made numerous improvements. The game was now native to Windows 95/98 and optimized for MMX. The number of missions was more than doubled. The original four campaigns with 8 missions each were classified as 'Silver Missions' in the main menu, while the five new campaigns with 8 missions each were placed under the 'Gold Missions' section of the menu. Additionally a bonus campaign consisting of 6 missions was created by a former U.S. Army Liaison to Boeing Sikorsky, Major Allen Sakcriska[2] and were included under 'Special Operations' option in the menu. Overall Comanche 3 Gold features 78 missions in addition to the training missions[3]). Weather effects were added such as rain and snow. A mission editor was added and players can now choose their helicopter's loadout before each mission.[4] Comanche's wingman AI was improved and the player can now give orders to the wingman. New vehicles and structures were added, AC-130U Spectre Gunship, M167 20mm Vulcan AAA, HAMC (Eurocopter) Z-9A (China), electric power generators, different bridge structures, Mongolian rail yard among others.[5] NovaLogic matchmaking over the internet was introduced.
Comanche 3 debuted the Voxel Space 2 engine.[6]
Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "overall Comanche 3 is a great-looking game that emphasizes fun and entertainment at the cost of some realism. The result is a title that gamers will love, although hardcode flight-sim freaks may have some things to grumble about."[7]
Comanche 3 was the best-selling helicopter title of 1997, as well as the top-selling combat simulation of the year.[8] In the United States, it sold 62,650 copies and earned $3.01 million in 1997.[9]