I picked up Strike Point about a week and a half ago at EB for $30 and
have really had fun playing through it.  Other than some intro-FMV
problems it is a great game, offering challenging gameplay, cool sound
effects, and striking graphics.

The FMV looks great, but it is prone to skipping.  For some reason there
is absolute silence during the intro scene, and this leads me to think
that the game was somewhat rushed.  After proceeding to the options
screen you'll hear very mediocre background music and more sound
effectless cool-looking FMV (prone to more skipping unfortunately (at
least on my Playstation)).

O.K., now it's time to stop being disappointed.  From here on out, the
game is great.  You have three helicopters to choose from, and one looks
rather stealthy (is that a word?).  I always go with the well-armored
big copter for better endurance.  Each craft can be colored in one of
three colors (dark grey is my fave).  After you've selected a customized
chopper, it's on to the level select screen.  There are ten "global
hotspots" (levels) which each contain a variety of missions to
accomplish.  You can start playing on any of the ten levels, and I like
this feature.  It's great to be able to decide where you want to go
first.  The game loads rather quickly while you look at a silent but
smooth FMV clip.  Each mission can be overcome within a few minutes, but
you may lose all three helicopters in your arsenal just getting through
a couple of them.  The idea here is to figure out the most efficient way
to finish all the missions in a level without losing a chopper-- within
the alotted time limit.  If time runs out it's game over man.  Once
you've completed the level you are treated to more silent-but cool
helicopter FMV.  I suppose this is better than bad actors spouting
stupid lines which Warhawk ,and many other games, are guilty of.  After
beating your first level you are given a password which contains info on
how many copters you get to bring over to the next level.  Sorry, no
memory card capability is present in Strike Point-- life goes on.

Each helicopter is equipped with a limited supply of self-targeting air
to ground and air to air missiles as well as bombs.  The main weapon
you'll use is the unlimited ammo self-targeting machine gun.  You can
toggle between features (missiles, bombs, turbo, etc. . .) by pressing a
couple shoulder buttons on your controller.  Another cool feature is the
"land it" option which will lead you back to your helipad (via
directional arrows) if you need repairs.  Some of the missions require
you to pick up Doomsday devices, power-up crates, or survivors from the
ground using your "green beam".  I am not sure how this beam that's
green picks things up off the ground, but when you press the button it
works-- isn't technology great?!  Anyway, once a level is completed, you
go on to the next one (your choice).

Let's talk graphics now.  The in-game graphics range from white
gourard-shaded snowscapes to green texture mapped hills, cliffs, and
valleys.  The game reminds me a bit of Cybermorph (Jaguar), in that you
can go anywhere and speed over different kinds of land formations which
scroll by very smoothly.  The sky (unlike Cybermorph) is detailed well
with clouds and can be very beautiful when seen reflecting off a lake
below you.  In the distance, draw-in is slightly noticeable but very
subtle since a very light touch of fog effect has been added.  This was
handled just right, and without a doubt, I like what I see.

On the ground you will find buildings, parked aircraft, tanks, sporadic
trees, gun emplacements, jeeps, radar dishes, and even a few homes.  I
would have enjoyed seeing a few more small town areas, or maybe having
an amusement park or two to incinerate.  Oh well, you can't have it all
darn it.  Another graphical short-coming is the pixelated one-color
(yellow) explosions.  This could have been done better.

The sound effects on my stereo t.v. are very realistic, with helicopter
and tank engines around you accompanied with booming explosions.  Your
copilot also adds in relevant data with voice-overs.  The in-game music
ranges from "Hey I like that tune alot" to "that's the one that's
starting to grate on my nerves", but overall the tunes are pretty good.

The helicopter directional control is just right.  You can
increase/decrease altitude, speed up, slow down, go backwards, and slide
left/right with ease.  I really like it when a game exhibits
user-friendly control.  Though you can't slam into the ground and blow
up your chopper upon impact, the game otherwise gives you a quality
feeling of realism.  

There is a nice feature in this 3D shooter that most Playstation games
in this genre don't have-- split screen two player mode (competitive or
cooperative).  Enough said-- it's a great feature no game should be
without.

All in all, Strike Point is a well devised game with some nice looking
graphics and a fast frame rate.  The following scores sum it up:
Graphics:8.5  Soundeffects:8.0  Music:7.0  Gameplay:9.0 
Introduction-FMV-presentation:4.0  Originality:7.5  Control:9.0 
Bang-for-the-buck (if bought for $30 new @ EB):  9.5 (keep in mind that
it's a new release)

Overall score:8.5

The game is a definite buy for action-flight sim/shooter fans who are up
for a new challenge at a reasonable price.  Gamers who have already
played through Thunderstrike 2, Bogey, Top Gun, Agile Warrior, or Black
Dawn may want to rent it before determining whether or not it's for
them, since it has a number of similarities to those other Playstation
games.  If you like a challenge, don't mind a time limit, and enjoy
graphics that draw you into a whole new world , Strike Point is for
you.  Have fun.             

- Steve Averitt
  AVE@prodigy.net