Airlift iOS, iPad game

Airlift Game's take on the 80’s classic Choplifter eschews tanks and guns for bribes and blinding lasers.

The first release from startup Agent Argyle, Airlift refreshes the classic Helicopter Rescue arcade game genre for mobile.

In Airlift's narrative, foreign government hackers have discovered the identities of OGA (Other Government Agency) agents. Players take on the role of pilots as “cleanskin” contractors whose job is to exfiltrate the agents before they are captured.

Tilting their devices to control the helicopter, players must rescue agents and bring them back to the landing pad. There are a number of obstacles to avoid including blinding lasers that really do hamper vision temporarily. For each agent rescued, players get paid in Aeros, which can be used to buy extra fuel and helicopters. And if the secret police show up, they can be used to bribe the cops as well.

That’s the airlift story so far. The back story is that “Airlift is what happens when you read a lot of Ars Technica and live near a hospital with a helipad,” says Airlift creator Cousin Isaac. “Almost every element in the game comes from some Ars article. That, and I have helicopters rattling my windows several times a day.”

Airlift is Cousin Isaac’s first game and features his electronic music as well as a few tracks by Doctor Popular.

Airlift is live and ready for takeoff on the iOS Appstore. This being an indie game (and a first release at that) there are still quite a few areas that need polish. The way the agents walk is pretty wonky and there are some bugs here and there. Cousin Isaac explains: “Its super-indie and very lo-fi. But it’s fun.”