Apache Longbow

Apache Longbow is Hinds immediate predecessor, which means it's pretty old. In its day, it was one of the best sims around, and was the first Apache sim to cover some of the complexities of the real thing.

The biggest problem with Apache Longbow is its graphics, which are just a bit too old-fashioned. Again, like Hind, it's been given a 3Dfx makeover, but this doesn't really help.

It does have a good set of missions, based in Yemen, Korea and Cyprus, and the campaigns are pretty engrossing. The onboard avionics are also pretty good, and while not quite as detailed as Longbow 2s they do a good job of convincing you that you're in the real thing.

There's really not much more that can be said about Apache Longbow. It was good at the time, but flight sims age badly, and Longbow 2 does everything much better.

Like Hind, it comes as part of the Front Line Fighters pack, which also includes F-16. The pack as a whole is a pretty good way of spending 30 quid, but if you do see Apache Longbow on its own it's not worth bothering with.