Update 1.81 "The Walkyries" brings helicopters to War Thunder

War Thunder might have a lot of annoyed fans nowadays due to various reasons, and the latest update might add a few haters to the angry mob. Dubbed "The Walkyries," War Thunder 1.81 is an update that brings a few US and Russian attack helicopters — including iconic ones like the Mi-24D Hind and the UH-1 Huey — as well as new locations, new vehicles, and a new Russian airplane and a new variant of Germany's iconic Me 163.

Sadly, the update also comes with a problem: to fly a helicopter, you must buy a pre-order package or complete a series of missions. For now, the missions still have to be unveiled, so the only way to fly a Hind or a Huey in War Thunder is by cashing out US$39.99 to get one. As usual, the package also includes premium time and Golden Eagles in-game currency.

In addition to the 12 helicopters (6 for the US forces and 6 for the Russians), the update also includes some high-tier tanks and AFVs like the T-80B, FV510 Warrior, BMP-2, and a few others. While the Russian pilots get the high-altitude I-225 interceptor, the German tech tree gets a new rocket-driven Me 163 that sports four 20 mm cannons instead of the two 30 mm guns used by the model that has been in the game since its early Closed Beta days.

The new locations include the "Mediterranean port" and "Green mountains gulf" maps for naval battles, as well as the "American Desert" ground forces map. Obviously, there is an entire list of minor changes that comes with the update as well, but that is not something to get into unless you are a hardcore fan of the game and you are following all income and Battle Rating changes.

These being said, there is only one thing left to do: give War Thunder a chance if you haven't done so already. If the above is not enough to push you into it, maybe the introductory video that comes at the end of the image gallery below can do so.