Choplifter!

Here''s a revised version of the Choplifter description: In Choplifter, the player takes on the role of a combat helicopter pilot tasked with rescuing hostages held by the evil Bungeling Empire. The hostages, referred to in the backstory as "delegates to the United Nations Conference on Peace and Child Rearing," are imprisoned in several barracks. The player''s mission is to collect the hostages and transport them safely to a nearby U.S. Postal Service building while fending off hostile tanks and enemy forces. According to the backstory, the helicopter''s parts were smuggled into the country disguised as a "mail-sorting machine." The helicopter can face three directions—left, right, or forward (facing the player). It can shoot in any of these directions, and it doesn''t have to fly in the same direction it''s facing. The forward-facing mode is primarily used to target tanks. Players must be cautious not to hit the hostages with enemy fire or their own weapons. To rescue the prisoners, the player must shoot at the buildings holding them to release the hostages, then land to allow the prisoners to board the helicopter. The player must then return them to the starting point. Each of the four buildings contains 16 hostages, and the helicopter can carry a maximum of 16 passengers per trip. After the chopper is full, no more hostages will attempt to board and will wave it off until its return. As the game progresses, the player faces increased risk, as the enemy becomes aware of the player''s actions and sends in counterattacks. Landing directly on top of a hostage or completely blocking the building''s exit will result in the death of the hostages. In the Apple II and Atari 7800 versions, if the helicopter is tilted when landing, hostages may be crushed as they attempt to board. While grounded, the helicopter can be attacked by enemy tanks, which can only be shot at once the helicopter is airborne. Additionally, the enemy scrambles jet fighters that can attack the helicopter with air-to-air missiles while it''s in the air or drop bombs if it''s grounded.