Cleared Hot looks like the nostalgic helicopter shooter I need

With fond memories of playing the likes of Desert Strike for endless hours, Cleared Hot looks exactly what I've been wanting in a modern take on it. Developed by Cfinger Games and now MicroProse Software are jumping in as publisher it's sounding really promising.

In Cleared Hot, players step into the cockpit of a fully upgradeable attack helicopter. You get the classic arcade shooter action blended nicely with modern physics-based mechanics. Players will shoot, dodge, and use creative tactics to move squads across dynamic battlefields while using an innovative rope and magnet system to interact with the environment. From picking up vehicles and redirecting heat-seeking missiles to throwing rocks at enemies, the game offers a truly unique and emergent take on how players can achieve battlefield control.

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Features:

• Fully physics-based mechanics for emergent and dynamic gameplay.
• Engaging single-player campaign with immersive objectives.
• Customizable helicopters with a variety of upgradable features and loadouts.
• Three distinct biomes: Desert, Jungle, and Arctic.
• Day and night missions allowing pilots thetactical edge with night vision and thermal goggle upgrades.
• A wide range of enemy vehicles, including tanks, boats, fighter jets, and more.

From the press release: "We're beyond excited to add Cleared Hot to our storied MicroProse lineup," said Chris Ansell, MicroProse CMO. "Its combination of nostalgia, creativity, and physics-based action makes it a perfect fit for our commitment to bringing fresh, engaging experiences to gamers."

You'll need to use Valve's Proton to play on Linux for this one.

Follow Cleared Hot on Steam.