{{Lead too short|date=January 2022}} {{Short description|1997 video game}} {{Infobox video game |title = Comanche 3 |image = Comanche 3.jpg |developer = NovaLogic |publisher = NovaLogic |platforms = MS-DOS, Windows (''Gold'') |released = {{vgrelease|WW|May 1, 1997}} |engine = Voxel Space 2 |genre = Combat flight simulator |modes = Single player, multiplayer |series = ''Comanche'' }} '''''Comanche 3''''' is a video game developed and published by NovaLogic for MS-DOS on May 1, 1997.<ref>{{cite web|title=More Games Shipping|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-04-28.html|author=Staff|website=PC Gamer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070709/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1997-04-28.html|archive-date=February 18, 1998|url-status=dead|date=May 1, 1997|accessdate=December 5, 2019}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Comanche 3'' is a military helicopter flight simulator that features a number of missions on a variety of terrains.<ref name="NG"/>
==Comanche 3 Gold== A year after initial release on April 22, 1998 Comanche 3 Gold was released. This re-packaging of the game made numerous improvements. The game was now native to Windows 95/98 and optimized for MMX. The number of missions was more than doubled. The original four campaigns with 8 missions each were classified as 'Silver Missions' in the main menu, while the five new campaigns with 8 missions each were placed under the 'Gold Missions' section of the menu. Additionally a bonus campaign consisting of 6 missions was created by a former U.S. Army Liaison to Boeing Sikorsky, Major Allen Sakcriska<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comanche Gold FAQ|url=http://www.novalogic.com/novaworld/nw_cgold/cg_faqs.htm|access-date=2021-07-13|website=Novalogic}}</ref> and were included under 'Special Operations' option in the menu. Overall Comanche 3 Gold features 78 missions in addition to the training missions<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comanche 3 Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/comanche-3-review/1900-2538450/|access-date=2021-07-13|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref>). Weather effects were added such as rain and snow. A mission editor was added and players can now choose their helicopter's loadout before each mission.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comanche Gold for Windows (1998)|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/comanche-gold|access-date=2021-07-13|website=MobyGames}}</ref> Comanche's wingman AI was improved and the player can now give orders to the wingman. New vehicles and structures were added, AC-130U Spectre Gunship, M167 20mm Vulcan AAA, HAMC (Eurocopter) Z-9A (China), electric power generators, different bridge structures, Mongolian rail yard among others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comanche Gold FAQ|url=http://www.novalogic.com/novaworld/nw_cgold/cg_faqs.htm|access-date=2021-07-13|website=Novalogic}}</ref> NovaLogic matchmaking over the internet was introduced.
==Development== ''Comanche 3'' debuted the Voxel Space 2 engine.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=PC GamePro Previews: Comanche 3|magazine=GamePro|issue=104 |publisher=IDG |date=May 1997|page=59}}</ref>
==Reception== ''Next Generation'' reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "overall ''Comanche 3'' is a great-looking game that emphasizes fun and entertainment at the cost of some realism. The result is a title that gamers will love, although hardcode flight-sim freaks may have some things to grumble about."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|issue=33|publisher=Imagine Media|date=September 1997|page=136}}</ref>
''Comanche 3'' was the best-selling helicopter title of 1997, as well as the top-selling combat simulation of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1998-01-26.html |title=PC Gamer News |website=PC Gamer |access-date=2019-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980218070310/http://www.pcgamer.com/news/news-1998-01-26.html |archive-date=1998-02-18 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the United States, it sold 62,650 copies and earned $3.01 million in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.next-generation.com/news/013098e.chtml |title=Novalogic Claims Simulation Domination |access-date=2019-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980204073017/http://www.next-generation.com/news/013098e.chtml |archive-date=1998-02-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Reviews== *''Game.EXE'' #4 (Apr 1997) *''Computer Gaming World'' #157 (Aug 1997) *''Edge'' #44 *Game.EXE - Mar, 1997 *PC Games - Apr, 1997 *GameSpot - May 2, 1997 *Edge - Apr, 1997
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{official|https://web.archive.org/web/20021003175523/http://www.novalogic.com/games/CG/}} (archived) *{{moby game|id=/comanche-3}}
{{NovaLogic}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1997 video games Category:Combat flight simulators Category:DOS games Category:Helicopter video games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:NovaLogic games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Video games with voxel graphics Category:Windows games