II. THINGS FIXED IN VERSION 1.01
The v1.01 patch corrects some minor problems and adds program enhancements to
the original Silent Thunder Game. Below is a list of the changes that the
patch makes.
Joystick: The patch adds a joystick calibration routine in the sim, and
includes some enhanced joystick code. This should make response on analog
joysticks more precise and responsive. It is necessary to calibrate the
joystick after installing the patch since changes to the joystick code will
negatively affect your joystick performance until it is calibrated for the
first time. It may be necessary to recalibrate the joystick occasionally, as
well.
To run the joystick calibration routine within the game do the following:
After you have properly calibrated your joystick in Windows 95, start Silent
Thunder. Then start a mission. At the beginning of the mission hold down
SHIFT-P on the keyboard. This will bring up the preferences section with a
Calibrate Joystick feature. Use this to improve the joystick calibration
within the game.
Sound: The support for sound cards that use software emulation of
DirectSound support has been enhanced. If you have one of these cards, be
sure that DirectSound is disabled, and use the adjustment for SOUND DELAY in
the Preferences menu in the sim to adjust the delay to the minimum that your
card will support. Instructions are given in the prefs menu.
DirectDraw: DirectDraw support has been enhanced. You may find that
DirectDraw is now more stable on your system.
Flight Model: Some minor improvements have been made to the flight model to
make it feel more realistic. Roll coupling has been added to rudders. The
A10 now has a tendency to roll level when you are banked. Additional
back-stick input is now required to turn quickly when banked.
III. ADDED FEATURES
*Added joystick calibration feature. (See section II)
*DirectSound can now be turned on and off from the preferences section. You
may also adjust the sound delay within the game. (See section II)
*Ordnance: Due to popular demand, weapons still perform exactly as before if
you have the lock or release cue, but it is now possible to drop weapons
anywhere, regardless of whether you have a lock or not. This can actually
make the game much harder, since you can now drop weapons on targets against
which they are largely ineffective, and you can also waste weapons by
dropping them when you aren’t near any targets at all. However, it can be
very effective, for instance, to drop an FAE in the middle of a truck convoy.
Another thing that really makes Silent Thunder: A-10 Tank Killer II v1.01 Patch enjoyable for me is how it manages to stay interesting even after playing it multiple times. Many games feel repetitive after a while, but here, the experience still feels fresh because of the small details and different ways you can approach the gameplay. As you continue playing, you naturally start improving and understanding the mechanics better, which makes everything feel more rewarding. I also appreciate the balance the game maintains—it’s not too difficult, but it’s not too easy either. You can play it casually for a short break or spend longer sessions without getting bored. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons why I keep coming back to Silent Thunder: A-10 Tank Killer II v1.01 Patch. Overall, it’s the kind of game that doesn’t just entertain you for a moment, but actually gives you a consistently enjoyable experience every time you play.
