Heli-Cats

About this game

With the world facing a desperate energy and economic crisis, rogue forces have launched a coordinated assault on a weakened allied order. Unable to respond directly under the fragile political climate, the Joint Security Alliance has turned to a special helicopter squadron known as the Heli-Cats. Their mission is to repel the invaders under the guise of a local paramilitary unit such that all actions can be disavowed should things go wrong.



Take control of pilots “Tiger” and “Lynx”, either together in a single helicopter or individually in two machines, as they battle their way through enemy lines and uncover the reasons behind the instigations.







Push the elevation button to switch between high and low elevations.

High projectiles are yellow and low ones are red. (The color combo can be changed as an option.)
Ammo can only damage targets of the same elevation for both players and enemies.
So while traditionally unavoidable enemy fire can now be rendered completely safe, players must still put themselves in harm's way in order to defeat enemies.



Tapping the shot button fires a burst of normal ammo.
Hitting and destroying enemies with a normal shot increases the focus counter.

Holding the shot button fires a more powerful focus shot that consumes the focus counter.
Some enemies also shoot lighter colored missile-shaped focus ammo that are greater in quantity but slower in speed.

Use the focus shot to cancel them and break through the barrage with ease.



Regular enemies destroyed with the focus shot drop orbs.
Collecting them fills the level gauge and powers up both normal and focus shots when the next level is reached.

The green power gauge that appears depletes only when normal shots are used. The player goes down a level when out of power.
Stay at the maximum level by replenishing the power gauge with more orbs.



Scoring in Heli-Cats is very simple. Survivability and score potential are at opposite ends of the difficulty spectrum.

Survivability: High, Score: Low

• Power up often
  
• Keep away from enemies
  
• Use the focus shot regularly
  
• Bomb often

Survivability: Low, Score: High

• Avoid powering up
  
• Shoot enemies at very close range
  
• Avoid using the focus shot
  
• Avoid using bombs

Players have to find the right balance on this difficulty scale and adjust their strategy according to skill level. Knowing when to utilize these systems is the key to victory!

Check out the community hub news section to find out more details about the various aspects of the game.

• Dual elevation gameplay allows an extra layer of strategy to avoid enemy fire
  
• Local co-op
  
• 2 initial helicopters to choose from (more can be unlocked with progress)
  
• 8 arcade stages (2 more can be unlocked under special conditions)
  
• Includes Novice Mode for beginners of shoot 'em ups
  
• Multiple endings depending on performance and uncovered secrets
  
• In-game credits system that unlocks new modes, upgrades, and customization of the game
  
• Fully assignable gamepad and keyboard button controls

Latest news

• Announcements·25 Jun 2026Official

  Summer Sale

  {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43572316/14ff693d5382695fbe565d95e3c0857b7a03ef3b.jpg The Steam Summer Sale is here. Now is a good time to give the challenging Heli-Cats a go, even if you are a beginner to shoot'em ups. You can get it with my other games in a bundle as well. https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/45275/The_DrearyWeary_Collection/
  Read full article on Community Announcements (DrearyWeary)

• Community & Events·8 Jun 2026Official

  Bullet Fest

  {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43572316/56914118260096c6483c44e480052c1dd93b3eca.jpg Steam's Bullet Fest is here and Heli-Cats is part of the sale! You can get it with my other games in a bundle as well. https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/45275/The_DrearyWeary_Collection/
  Read full article on Community Announcements (DrearyWeary)

• Patch Notes·13 May 2026Official

  1.3.5 Update

  This small update changes the Audio volume scale down to 10. Players may have to readjust the audio options if they changed it before. It also adds a Catalog section on the title screen to view other games.
  Read full article on Community Announcements (DrearyWeary)

• Announcements·7 Apr 2026Official

  Advanced Tips 2: Shot Level & Scoring

  {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43572316/48b7f92a74e121f1e663514cff9985450a57fcb0.jpg A Heli-Cat shot level is inversely related to its scoring potential. At max level 3, damage output is highest but all shots are only limited to the base hit and destroy score. At level 1, damage output is lowest, meaning more hits are needed to destroy enemies. However, every hit has a multiplier bonus applied, even more if its the main center shot AND it is at point blank range. Scores go up quickly. Level 2 is somewhere in between. Since any level above 1 will drain the shot meter, those starting to play for score can allow their normal shots to power down in areas they feel confident in to get more score. Powering back up is fast since orbs are easily obtainable outside of boss battles by destroying enemies with focus shots. Even if just playing for survival, players can deliberately power down to increase score if its close to the next extend of every 400,000.
  Read full article on Community Announcements (DrearyWeary)

• Patch Notes·25 Mar 2026Official

  Ver 1.3.4 Update

  {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43572316/63dd9d270187dbf053fabfd0d0a1882fc47f0534.jpg Heli-Cats has been updated to bring back reliable detection of the left and right analog triggers as buttons on controllers. If they used to work before and stopped during one of the past updates, they will work now. Ver 1.3.4 Update Notes: Restored reliable button detection of controller analog triggers (may require a remap for your current controller). Updated shaders for more consistency across older hardware.
  Read full article on Community Announcements (DrearyWeary)