Cleared Hot
" Nostalgic action helicopter shooter with satisfying physics and tactical rope mechanics, but limited content "
Cleared Hot Review
Cleared Hot is a modern homage to the classic 90s Strike series, especially Desert Strike, Jungle Strike, and Urban Strike, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh helicopter combat experience. Players praise its engaging gameplay mechanics, variety of helicopters, and satisfying weaponry, all wrapped in a lighthearted tone filled with witty dialogue and excellent voice acting. The game successfully blends old-school arcade-style action with modern 3D graphics and physics, creating a fun and immersive atmosphere.
While still in early access, the game offers several hours of content with a solid foundation, including diverse missions, helicopter upgrades, and an enjoyable soundtrack. Players appreciate the attention to detail, destructible environments, and the passion evident from the developers. However, some desire more content, improved difficulty balancing, and additional quality-of-life features. Overall, Cleared Hot stands out as a polished, entertaining title for fans of classic helicopter shooters and newcomers alike.
Highlights
Players highly praise the gameplay mechanics that capture the essence of classic Strike games with modern controls and physics. The variety of helicopters, each with distinct handling and armaments, adds depth and replayability. The graphics and sound design receive positive notes for their style and nostalgic vibe, while the storyline and voice acting provide charm without interrupting gameplay flow. The game’s destructible environments and satisfying combat feedback further enhance the experience.
Many reviewers note the smooth performance even on ultrawide and handheld devices, and the game’s ability to evoke fond memories while delivering fresh, enjoyable content.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the relatively limited content in early access, with only a few missions available and a desire for more chapters or additional game modes to extend longevity. Players mention the lack of a checkpoint system, which can lead to frustration during longer missions with abrupt difficulty spikes. Some find the difficulty curve uneven and the enemy variety limited, with a preference for more challenging foes like enemy helicopters or undodgeable SAMs.
Other areas for improvement include UI polish, camera control refinements, and balancing issues where certain helicopters and weapons dominate gameplay. Minor bugs such as passenger damage on drop-off and occasional graphical glitches were noted but did not significantly impact enjoyment.
Pros
- • Faithful modern tribute to classic Desert Strike series with nostalgic gameplay.
- • Variety of helicopters with unique handling and weapon loadouts adds depth.
- • Engaging, satisfying combat with realistic physics and destructible environments.
- • Excellent voice acting and witty dialogue enhance immersion and charm.
- • Smooth performance across multiple platforms including ultrawide and Steam Deck.
- • Fun grappling hook mechanic allowing creative interactions with environment.
- • Well-designed soundtrack that complements the 80s and 90s vibe perfectly.
Cons
- • Limited content in early access with only a few missions currently available.
- • No checkpoint system causing frustration on longer, difficult missions.
- • Uneven difficulty curve with some sections feeling too easy or abruptly hard.
- • Enemy variety is limited; lacks challenging foes like enemy helicopters or SAMs.
- • Some balancing issues favoring certain helicopters and weapons over others.
- • UI feels stiff and amateurish, with tutorial popups seeming out of place.
- • Camera controls and aiming can be awkward and cause minor combat frustration.
Rating Criteria
CLEARED HOT is 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.