MicroProse is publishing Cleared Hot, a ‘nostalgic helicopter shooter’ based on Desert Strike

MicroProse has announced that it will be publishing Cleared Hot, a “notsalgic helicopter shooter” clearly based on Desert Strike.

Developed by Californian studio Cfinger Games, Cleared Hot is described as a “nostalgic helicopter shooter with satisfying physics and light tactical elements”.

“Shoot, dodge, move your squad around the battlefield, and pick up almost anything with your rope and magnet,” the game’sSteam description reads.

The trailer, which can be seen below, shows that the game looks like a clear homage to Electronic Arts‘ cult 1992 game Desert Strike.

Desert Strike was played from an isometric perspective and had players carrying out various missions on a large map, while destroying enemies, collecting fuel and ammo, and picking up hostages with their helicopter’s winch.

The game was successful enough to spawn four sequels – Jungle Strike, Urban Strike, Soviet Strike and Nuclear Strike.

However, there hasn’t been a new entry in the series for 27 years, leaving a gap that Cleared Hot is presumably designed to fill.

The trailer reveals that the player will take on the role of a helicopter pilot who had seen action in his earlier life but has now been out of action for 30 years (a possible reference to EA’s games).

It appears that the game will start off with less glamorous missions (such as using the winch to carry chickens between areas in a farm) before eventually leading to combat situations.

MicroProse was founded in 1982 and was considered one of the leading publishers of computer games in the ’80s and ’90s, responsible for such series as Civilization and X-Com. The brand was acquired in 2018 and is attemping a comeback.