Army Men: Air Attack
{{Short description|1999 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Army Men: Air Attack
| image = Army Men Air Attack cover art.jpg
| developer = The 3DO Company{{efn|Ported to Game Boy Color by Fluid Studios and ported to Microsoft Windows by Aqua Pacific.}}
| publisher = The 3DO Company
| series = Army Men
| platforms = PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Microsoft Windows
| released = PlayStation
{{vgrelease|NA|November 3, 1999{{cite web |title=3DO Ships Army Men(TM) -- Air Attack(TM) for PlayStation(R) Game Console |date=November 3, 1999 |website=The 3DO Company |url=http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_110399.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417131203/http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_110399.html |archive-date=April 17, 2001 |url-status=dead}}|EU|March 2000}}Nintendo 64
{{vgrelease|NA|July 18, 2000{{cite web |title=3DO Ships Army Men-Air Combat for Nintendo 64; Miniature Military Flies High in the Face of Plastic Peril |date=July 18, 2000 |website=The 3DO Company |url=http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_071800.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417135849/http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_071800.html |archive-date=April 17, 2001 |url-status=dead}}}}Game Boy Color
{{vgrelease|NA|November 22, 2000{{cite web |title=3DO Ships New Army Men(R) Games for Game Boy(R) Color |date=November 22, 2000 |website=The 3DO Company |url=http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_112200.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011014121430/http://www.3do.com/investors/pr_112200.html |archive-date=October 14, 2001 |url-status=dead}}|EU|November 24, 2000}}Windows
{{vgrelease|EU|June 22, 2001}}
| genre = Third-person shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Army Men: Air Attack (Army Men: Air Combat for the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color versions) is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by The 3DO Company for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color and Microsoft Windows. The game focuses on aerial combat and features the same protagonist, Cpt. William Blade. It is one of the first Army Men games to be powered by a 3D engine where terrain and units are rendered in real-time.
Overview
In Army Men: Air Attack, the evil Tan army is making a move into Green territory. Only one man has the ability to stop their advance: Captain William Blade of the Alpha Wolf Squadron.{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack |last=Wilton |first=Pete |magazine=Official UK PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=55 |date=February 2000 |page=128 |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_UK_Playstation_Magazine_Issue_055_2000-02_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n125}} Blade and his ragtag crew of chopper pilots fly in one of four choppers Huey, Chinook, Super Stallion, or Apache through 16 missions of plastic carnage, going through perilous settings like the "Backyard" and the "Picnic".
Plot
The Green and Tan armies are once again at war, this time by air. Players can select either the Huey, Chinook, Super Stallion or the Apache. In addition to the Tan Army are hordes of insects that players must also fight off. Players must protect tanks, trucks, other helicopters, a train, a teddy bear, and a UFO.
The players pilot one of four helicopters through the treacherous terrain of the backyard, picnic areas, and nearby beaches, engaging in Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground combat with enemies ranging from battleships to butterflies. They can utilise the unique abilities of each airship to capture giant Teddy Bears, blow up sand castles, and save Sarge from being melted by kids with a magnifying glass. The main character is a Green Air Cavalry pilot named Captain William Blade. This game has over 12 missions with three extra choppers to unlock. The first helicopter is a Huey, then a Chinook, a Super Stallion, and finally an Apache. There are also three extra co-pilots to unlock. The first pilot is 'Woodstock', then 'Rawhide', next is 'Hardcore', and lastly Sergeant Hawk. Captain William Blade, the leader of the newly formed Alpha Wolf Battalion, does battle against the Tan empire in both the real world and plastic world.
An extra co-pilot, ‘Bombshell’ (addressed as Felicity in-game) can be unlocked after beating the game's campaign.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GBC = true
| N64 = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_GBC = 65%{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Combat for Game Boy Color |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/340115-army-men-air-combat/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522222201/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/340115-army-men-air-combat/index.html |archive-date=May 22, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 17, 2022}}
| MC_N64 = 77/100{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Attack [sic] (N64) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/army-men-air-attack/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101165909/https://www.metacritic.com/game/army-men-air-attack/ |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2024}}
| Allgame_PS = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Attack (PS) - Review |last=Nguyen |first=Cal |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20291&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115105958/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20291&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 14, 2015}}
| CNG_N64 = 8/10{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |last=Ham |first=Tom |date=July 21, 2000 |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/N64/Reviews/Armymenair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815054955/http://www.gamecenter.com/N64/Reviews/Armymenair/ |archive-date=August 15, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 17, 2022}}
| EGM_PS = 6.375/10{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack (PS) |last1=Davison |first1=John |last2=Smith |first2=Shawn |last3=Johnston |first3=Chris |last4=Hager |first4=Dean |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=126 |date=January 2000 |page=228 |url=https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyvol126january2000600dpi/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Vol.%20126%20%5BJanuary%202000%5D%20%28Searchable%29/page/n225/mode/2up |access-date=September 17, 2022}}{{efn|In Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s review of the PlayStation version, two critics gave it each a score of 6/10, one gave it 7/10, and the other gave it 6.5/10.}}
| EPD_N64 = 6.5/10{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |last=Grant |first=Jules |date=July 28, 2000 |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2795&full=1#mr_toppy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020907203735/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2795&full=1#mr_toppy |archive-date=September 7, 2002 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 1, 2024}}
| GI_N64 = 7.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=87 |date=July 2000}}
| GI_PS = 6.75/10{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack (PS) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=80 |date=December 1999}}
| GameFan_N64 = 69%{{cite magazine |title=REVIEW for Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |magazine=GameFan |publisher=BPA International |year=2000}}
| GameFan_PS = 85%{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack |last1=Mylonas |first1=Eric "ECM" |last2=Ngo |first2=George "Eggo" |last3=Weitzner |first3=Jason "Fury" |magazine=GameFan |publisher=Shinno Media |volume=7 |issue=12 |date=December 1999 |page=16 |url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n17/mode/2up |access-date=September 17, 2022}}{{efn|In GameFan{{'}}s viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 81, 85, and 88.}}
(G.H.) 80%{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack |last=Higgins |first=Geoff "The Judge" |magazine=GameFan |publisher=Shinno Media |volume=7 |issue=12 |date=December 1999 |page=45 |url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n45/mode/2up |access-date=September 17, 2022}}
| GSpot_N64 = 7.5/10{{cite web |title=Army Men: Air Combat Review (N64) |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |date=August 2, 2000 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/army-men-air-combat-review/1900-2611212/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819024237/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2611212,00.html |archive-date=August 19, 2000 |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2024}}
| IGN_GBC = 7/10{{cite web |title=Army Men Air Combat (GBC) |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=March 14, 2001 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/15/army-men-air-combat-4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922072815/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/03/15/army-men-air-combat-4 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2024}}
| N64_N64 = 83%{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |last=Maddrell |first=Alan |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=46 |date=October 2000 |page=60 |url=https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-527-60.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163649/https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-527-60.jpg |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2024}}
| NGen_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack (PS) |last=Lundrigan |first=Jeff |magazine=NextGen |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=61 |date=January 2000 |page=97 |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen61Jan2000/page/n97/mode/2up |access-date=September 17, 2022}}
| NP_GBC = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Combat (GBC) |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |volume=140 |date=January 2001 |page=135}}
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack |last=Rybicki |first=Joe |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |volume=3 |issue=3 |date=December 1999 |page=156 |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_3_1999-12_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n151/mode/2up |access-date=September 17, 2022}}
}}
The Nintendo 64 version received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen said of the PlayStation version, "It's got lots of cool ideas and good looks. All it needs is more levels, better gameplay balance, and a faster pace." However, Pete Wilson of Official UK PlayStation Magazine said of the same console version, "All things considered, the game's few decent touches, like being able to pick up objects with a grappling hook, are just way too limited to make you want to carry on. Abort mission..."
Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said of the PlayStation version in one review, "Cadets new to the squad may enjoy Air Attack{{'}}s simple, gung-ho gameplay, which lacks any heavy strategizing. But for generals who expect more bang for the buck, Army Men: Air Attack is a war that should be first fought at the local rental store."{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Attack (PS) |author=Four-Eyed Dragon |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=135 |date=December 1999 |page=172 |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_135_December_1999_U/page/n165/mode/2up |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4.5/5 for sound, and 5/5 for control in one review.}} Scary Larry said that the same console version was "just like the Army reserves - good for a weekend, but a little boring in the long run."{{cite magazine |title=Army Men Air Attack Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com |author=Scary Larry |date=November 24, 1999 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3327.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041122034752/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3327.shtml |archive-date=November 22, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 17, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version three 3.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4/5 for control in another review.}} Vicious Sid said of the Nintendo 64 version in one review, "Although mundane Campaign missions and slowdown nearly clip this bird's wings, the hilarious multiplayer games make Air Combat a worthy weekend rental. It's hardly a breath of fresh air, but fans of EA's Strike series should definitely fly these unfriendly skies."{{cite magazine |title=Army Men: Air Combat (N64) |author=Vicious Sid |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=143 |date=August 2000 |page=94 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/de/GamePro_US_143.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530185241/https://retrocdn.net/images/d/de/GamePro_US_143.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=January 1, 2024}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control in one review.}} The D-Pad Destroyer said of the same console version in another review, "It's a pleasure to be able to say that Army Men Air Combat is a good game. While it's not the best game ever on the N64, it's easy to recommend it for chopper-action fans and folks who are dying for a decent military shooter on the Fun Machine. It looks like the little green men over at 3DO have finally found the secret to bringing toys to life."{{cite magazine |title=Army Men Air Combat Review for N64 on GamePro.com |author=The D-Pad Destroyer |date=August 11, 2000 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/6353.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222020138/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/6353.shtml |archive-date=December 22, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 14, 2015}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version 3.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control in another review.}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/3863/army-men-air-attack/}}
- {{moby game|id=/5071/army-men-air-combat/|name=Army Men: Air Combat (GBC)}}
{{Army Men series}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Helicopter video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games
Category:Video games developed in the United States