I've only played through the first mission but if it's any indication of the the
rest of the game then this one's a winner in my book.

Gameplay: 10/10
The game is divided into different missions (5 total?) which contain a subset of
mission objectives to be accomplished in each. It's up to you how and in what
order to accomplish the objectives but it seems like the best way is
sequentially (at least that's what the manual suggests).
There is plenty of info available to you during gameplay regarding info on any
of the primary game elements/equipment as well as text descriptions of each
objective and a map of the mission that you will access frequently while you
move about unless you have the terrain memorized. This is all part of a
"multi-function display" that you can call up anytime during gameplay that
essentially pauses the game while you read.

Everything is just about perfectly balanced in this game.
I look for games that are simple to play and this game is perfect. You fly
around and shoot things and occasionally pick up and drop off things. OK, so
there's an element of resource management (fuel, ammo, damage) but otherwise you
fly & shoot; simple! Some have complained that you can't change the altitude of
the copter and that your range of sight is pretty limited but, again, that's
fine with me; this is an action/strategy game not a sim and it doesn't affect
gameplay at all.
Another element that scores big with me is a level of immersion. I start the
mission and when I finish (or it finishes me!), I look at the clock and hour has
melted away. I become totally absorbed.

There are lots of little things that go on while you're playing that you can
either act on or ignore and concentrate on the mission at hand. Your co-pilot is
constantly on mercenary missions and feeding you info on what he's doing and
suggesting things you might want to do or informing you of developing
situations. Part of the gameplay is dropping off your co-pilot to go execute
side missions and then extract him when he's done or in trouble.

Control: 9/10
Sometimes the control gets a little squirrely when turning but it's usually when
I'm spazzing out trying to get out of a situation. Otherwise, it's fine; you
turn, you shoot; how bad can it be?

Replay Value: 8/10
As far as replay value, nothing is absolutely set in the game. Your actions
trigger other actions and you are relatively free to complete the mission and
roam/explore as you please. If you want to go back to a mission and try
different approaches or do different things then there is plenty to do and try.

Graphics: 9/10
The modeled terrain is really nice looking and fun to fly around in and there is
enough good detail of smaller items on the ground to discern whether you should
blow it up or rescue it. It's kind of like a texture-mapped version of a Command
& Conquer map as far as scale and detail go. It seems like more could've been
done (like animated terrain effects) but probably not without slowing down the
frame rate. So my rating is [likely] just a reflection of technical limitations.
The integration of FMV is right on and not annoying or intrusive to gameplay.

Some have complained about people on the ground only being composed of a few
pixels. Granted, you can't make out the color of their eyes but you can
certainly differentiate friend or foe and given that you're supposed to be
flying a helicopter I think that's good enough!
There's a slight amount of graphic breakup when things get real hairy and you're
blowing up a bunch of things but it's slight and doesn't really affect gameplay.

Sound: 9/10
Overall, very well done. There's lots of messages from your co-pilot regarding
developing situations and vocal praise or disapproval where appropriate during
gameplay. If you shoot at a friendly truck you'll be reprimanded by the driver:
"Stop shooting!" And I still crack up everytime I hear someone on the ground
yell "It's the evil helicopter!" 
The sound effects are well done and nicely balanced so that an important sound
doesn't get lost in the ball of noise. The music is not annoying and for me just
fades into the background. The stereo effects are often helpful in locating
things. You can adjust the volume of sound effects and music. My only complaint
is that any messages coming "across the wire" get cut off if you go to the map
view and then you can't replay the message. 

Overall: 9.5/10
The only real complaint I have is one that's been voiced elsewhere and that is
that you basically have to go into a sort of pause mode to look at the map to
figure out your position (which is often). But evidentally this is a
characteristic of the series and moreover I think the main screen would be too
crowded otherwise. Still...some sort of switchable transparent map on the main
screen would've been nice.

Overall, I like it because it's relatively simple but still allowing some
freedom and flexibility in gameplay. While I wouldn't say this is a "classic", I
will say that it's my favorite 1-player PSX title to date and that it offers
great gameplay value for the money.

- Tim K.