This game is incredible!  You've got to see it in action!
Better yet, you might as well just buy it.
I know it's gonna be a smash no matter what I say, but
I might as well be right while I have the chance.

Graphics:  10/10

VERY detailed texture maps cover everything in this game.
Also, real-life terrain mapping is used in the construction of 
the battlegrounds, so if you've been to these war-torn areas
in the game you should feel right at home!  Seriously... is 
there any reason to use real terrain?  If anything, it's 
evidence of a lack of creativity.  At any rate, that's not 
really a fault of this game.  The ground looks like a movie.
It's that good, and this is not an exaggeration.

Animation: 9/10 (Scrolling, 7/10)
The little guys and tanks do all kinds of stuff and they move
real fast.  When I first started playing, though, I didn't like the
way the screen scrolled--it looked kind of choppy.  I've gotten 
used to it, though, and it doesn't detract from the game in 
any major way.  The explosions are pretty incredible, with 
realistic fire surrounded by polygonal vehicles and buildings
getting blasted to smithereens.  The scrolling can be switched
from turning w/ your vehicle to an isometric, non-turning 
viewpoint.  Not available in previous "Strike" games, where
only the non-turning mode was used.  You can also turn the
point of view and lock it where you like it (South could be 
up, for example).  This is useful when you're attacking an
enemy outpost from the east.  Make west "up" and the attack 
is a lot easier.

Sound:10/10 (Music: 7/10)
From the first time you hear the "thwomp thwomp thwomp" of 
your copter, you'll know you're right at home.  The explosions and
gunfire are top-notch.  Really, really great sound that just sucks
you in to the experience.  The music has a nice feature where it
picks up in big action, but overall the quality has a sort of 
mediocre feel to it.

Control:  10/10
Those who've played past strike games on the SNES know how
natural the control feels.  For those who haven't... skip them and 
just get Soviet Strike.  Solve it and then go back to SNES for
more action.

Difficulty: Can't tell yet
It took me a good hour and a half to beat the first map, and the 
second one looks much harder.  The AI looks good here, too, 
with tanks that will sometimes try to run away from you.  This 
leads to fun high-speed chases.  So far, the lame "escort
car X through streets" missions from previous Strike games seem
to be gone.  One cool thing is that you can drop off your co-pilot
so that he can use ground weapons while you follow behind him
and provide support.  Pretty sweet.  
On the second map, I got attacked by some 'copters that just tore
my ass up, so I'd say this is a pretty good test of gaming prowess!
BTW, resource management is extremely important.  The game 
is not just about action, you've got to think.

Options: 9/10
So far, I've not noticed any difficulty option.  There are sound options
and you can customize your Super Apache before each mission, 
balancing missiles, guns, bigger missiles, and other fun stuff.

Environment: 10/10
Excellent use of video clips and sound samples during the mission 
make you feel like you're part of a team.  I loved saving my buddy
from the firing squad in Map 1 Mission 2.  It made me feel like a
hero to have him thank me afterward with an offer of a drink.  The
acting is pretty good... better than average for video games.

Overall:  9.5/10
One of the best games I've played for the PSX, and definitely
the best one-player game going.  

-Zach Smolinski