First Impressions:

Graphics:

Here we reach one area that disappointed me greatly. All levels, including the free flight ones are just to small for my tastes. With the wonderfully done physics of the game, I can only speculate that the PSX resources were just used up, leaving no choice but to make the levels smaller. Regardless, sometimes I had the feeling I was flying an RC copter in a large box. I needed more room to roam, and more obstacles to fly around and through. Yes, I know it's not supposed to be a RC plane. I get it, trust me.

As mentioned before, there are six helicopters to choose from, the availability of them depending on how well you complete the training missions. Each one looks cool, sleek, and different from each other.

This game would greatly benefit from a more powerful platform, like the Dreamcast or the PlayStation 2 (will it get here this century?). Meanwhile we will all have to settle for the hard limitations of the PSX.

Sound/Music:

The sound of the RC copter seems pretty close to the real thing (RC copters sound like a chainsaw married to a weed eater to me). I wonder if the actual sounds from a RC copter were recorded? My guess is yes. Unfortunately the PSX crappy sound system manages to mangle it a bit. Maybe I'm just to used to my PC Sound Blaster live with its Cambridge FPS speakers. On some levels there is background music, on others the background sound is environmental like the sound of lapping water, or in some cases the cheering of a crowd.

What really stands out is the male commentator. The commentator tells you what your mission objectives are, gives you flying tips, congratulates you for flying well, humilates you for crashing, and makes you laugh. The degree of humilation you receive will depend some on the copter you choose. For example, if you select the rookie copter you'll receive few admonishments. However, if you choose the ace copter, and fly pathetically, you can be sure the commentator will let you know about it.

The number of quips the commentator throws your way are numerous and hilarious. He makes the entire game more enjoyable, in part because it keeps you from taking it all to seriously.

Gameplay:

You begin RC Stunt Copter by playing through ten training missions. Each mission will gently introduce you to the mechanics of controlling an RC copter. During your sessions an instructor will verbally explain the training objectives of the current scenerio and slowly introduce controls like the cyclic (No, not the firing rate of the machine gun in Quake 3) and the collective (No, not the Borg conscience). At the end of each training session you'll receive either a gold, silver, or bronze metal. It's important to at least average a gold medal, but you should attempt to get a gold medal in every event. Why? The higher you finish, the more RC copters you will be able to choose for use in the single player game. Finishing with all gold will give you access to the "ace" copters.

Speaking of different copters, there is a total of six to choose from (assuming you get all gold of course). The rookie copter has skid pads and an auto-leveling feature. The ace copter is blazingly quick, and super responsive. The copters in the middle range in-between the ace and the rookie copter, on a sliding scale that increases acceleration, speed, and responsiveness as you move up from the rookie vehicle. Now that training is over, and you have selected a RC copter, you can either move to the single player game or into free flight mode.

In free flight mode you can practice your flying skills (or lack thereof) by manuvering through ten varyious levels. Some levels allow you to practice specific skills you'll need in the single player game, like flying through way points, hovering, or landing on targets. Other practice areas are simply open spaces for you to learn flight controls un-impeded. In one practice level you fly around as an uncrashable dragonfly, as seen in the third screenshot from the top.

Once you're comfotable enough with flying, it's time to saddle up and go for the single player missions. In the single player game there are a total of five stages, plus one bonus stage. Within each stage there are five levels that emphasize five skills you'll need to learn: hovering, precision landing, shooting, and slalom flying. Each level has a required minimum score that you must achieve in order to pass that level. You may pick any level in any order (thank goodness). If you select an ace copter, you will be able to perform stunts within the level that can greatly increase your score. Some of the stunts you can perform include inverted flight, loops, barrel rolls, and more.

Obviously the critical factor for gameplay in a game like this is the quality of physics. Although I've never flown an RC copter before, I was duly duly impressed with the physics of the game. It really hit me when I was finally able to control that little bugger somewhat (When you spend 1/2 the time mowing grass with the blades, it can be hard to tell how good the physics are). I was completely transformed into a RC pilot while playing, which is to say the physics were so good I forgot I was flying an RC copter on a playstation.

Enjoyment:

Hey, didn't you read my first impressions? RC Stunt Copter is very enjoyable. However, I must warn that you will need some serious patience to play. I found flying a challenging task, especially since the controls reverse depending on whether the helicopter is facing toward or away from you (as it should naturally). I played with both an analog and normal controller. It's just not worth the trouble to play with anything other than an analog controller, even though an analog controller is not a requirement.

Multiplayer:

For any of the levels you have unlocked in the single player game, you may also fly in two player competition. In this mode of the game, each player uses the same copter, and flys through the selected level. Points are scored on level objectives, accuracy, time, speed, fuel remaining, and stunts achieved. While your competitor is flying, you also have the limited use of "The Hand", a distraction you can use to wave in front of him or her.

I didn't get a chance to play multiplayer with anyone, mostly because it's not a game you just pick up and play. It takes practice. My impression of multiplayer is that it would be fun to test your skills against someone else in this mode of the game, but two player competition would not be as fun as it is in a game like Bust a Groove. I used my score here to "pad" the score up, to make sure it received a deservedly higher overall rating. Call it number fudging if you will.

Overall Impression:

In the exact words of David Perry of Shiny Entertainment:

"All in all, it is the most addictive thing we have come up with at Shiny, however we do understand that there is a very fine line between frustration and pure addiction."

In RC Stunt Copter, the crossing of that thin line depends alot on your own mindset when it comes to playing games, not necessarily on the game itself. The flip side to all this is, when you are able to fly well, you feel a profound sense of accomplishment. Let me end by saying I would definately recommend this game to a close friend. RC Stunt Copter is at the top of the very large PSX game heap.

Marketing Efforts Towards Women:

What can be gender-biased about flying an RC helicopter? Nothing! I suppose Shiny could have used a sexy female voice for the commentator, or plastered skimply clad women clinging sexily to an RC copter, but that would have been quite silly, would it not?

Cheats, Hints, and URLs:

Goto the RC Stunt Copter Homepage: http://www.stuntcopter.com