How to run the non-Glide Windows versions of Longbow Gold and Longbow Anthology in Windows 98 using the PCem emulator.
As usual I'll be using cd images to save wear and tear on cds and drive. Your Longbow cds can be ripped to data only iso cd images, there is no cd audio on the Longbow cds.
Why play the Windows version?
The Windows version is 99% equivalent to the DOS version, so why not play the DOS version instead? It's a valid question, the Windows version disables the in-flight recorder, which is a mark against it, but there are a couple of reasons why the Windows version running under PCem may be preferable.
There's an addition of a campaign 'cheat' menu allowing any campaign mission to be played as a single mission. If you've completed the campaigns but you want to revisit an old campaign mission, you can.
If you're struggling to set up your HOTAS controller under DOSBox, you may find it easier to set it up under PCem.
Whether you choose to play WIndows or DOS, you have options and can choose whichever one is best for you!
Versions and patches
For a list the various releases of Longbow and the recommended patches for each version take a look at the Longbow primer.
This guide covers the non-Glide versions of Longbow Gold and Anthology only, there's a separate setup guide for the Glide versions. There's no preferred version with both Longbow Gold and Anthology being equivalent and running equally well.
PCem setup
If you're completely new to setting up PCem or need a refresher, I highly recommend the excellent YouTube tutorial video by PhilsComputerLab, PCem Windows 98 Setup.
Once you have a basic, clean Windows 98 virtual machine and hard disk image, I recommend:
Taking a copy of the basic virtual machine to create a game specific virtual machine.
Taking a copy of the basic hard disk image to create a game specific image.
Use PCem and reconfigure the game specific virtual machine to use the game specific hard disk image.
If things go badly wrong, you'll always have the basic image to try again with and it'll save a lot of time and effort if you ever want to try a different game under PCem.
Installation
Once the emulated machine is running, change the cd device settings in PCem, to use either your physical drive (if you have a physical cd), or a cd image.
Installation with both Longbow Gold and Anthology should be straightforward. I didn't encounter any issues.
During the Longbow Anthology installation, you should choose a custom install and skip installing the GoldFX(A) Glide patch.
CD emulation
The developers of Longbow, left in a functional cd emulation facility. This is a very useful facility as it saves you having to swap physical cd or cd images in PCem. To use it, copy the contents of each cd to a folder on the PCem emulated machine.
Then create a file CDEmu.ini in the Longbow installation folder (in my case C:\Janes\Longbow) and specify the folder for each cd, like so:
[CDEmulate]
CD001=C:\Janes\Longbow1
CD002=C:\Janes\Longbow2
CD003=C:\Janes\Longbow3Longbow Anthology only has two Longbow cds, the third and fourth cds are Longbow 2, so the CDEmu.ini file only requires two entries.
Patching
Now it's time to install any patches, take a look at the Longbow primer. Only Longbow Gold should require patching, Longbow Anthology is already fully patched.
Controller setup
Take a look at my Controllers and retro sims part 5: PCem guide for installing HOTAS controllers in PCem. Once you have a custom calibrated Windows 98 controller the hard work is done.
As long as the 3rd axis is the throttle and the 4th axis is the rudder, which can be checked in the Windows 98 control panel in the Game controllers section, then the game will correctly assign the axes.
Just remember to calibrate the custom controller in Windows 98 first and then select Windows joystick in the 'in-flight' options menu (alt-o) in game when in the Apache.
Gameplay options and manuals
The earlier guide, Running Jane's AH-64D Longbow (DOS) in DOSBox Staging has a brief discussion on gameplay options and manuals.
Good hunting!
댓글