Thunderstrike 2

Want intense air action that makes Blackfire for the Saturn look like a paper airplane contest? Check out Thunderstrike 2, the sequel to last year's AH3 Thunderstrike and the best heli-shooter since WarHawk.

Heli in a Hand Basket

After equipping your special-forces chopper with penguin pockets, runway explosives, cluster bombs, and a variety of other weapons, you fly eight international missions that confront piracy in the South China Seas, oil trouble in the Middle East, and more.

The action is intense-your thumb'll be busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest as you shoot down enemies and strafe ground targets. The game lags only in the control department. The chopper turns like a fat ballet dancer-graceful but slow.

You often miss targets, and then have to loop all the way around to set up another shot. This makes you vulnerable from behind.

Chop 'til You Drop

The superb graphics suffer from only minor breakup in the mountainous levels. Every explosion is vividly depicted, and there's great detail, such as civilians fleeing for cover when a vehicle is destroyed. You also get multiple views from the chopper.

The topnotch sounds include rocking music and plenty of voice from command control. Explosions sound even better than they look!

Hoping for an intense chopper stopper? If you loved Warhawk, Thunderstrike 2 is a must-play.