GAMEPLAY (7.5)
Silpheed has a simple and common plot; you control a space jet fighter out to destroy alien invaders. Not surprisingly, you'll spend most of your time in Silpheed shooting everything that moves. At first glance, it may seem that Silpheed is a 3D shooter, but in actuality it is a 2D shooter (just like 1945 Strikers). Unlike its predecessors, you'll get to equip two types of weapons for your fighter - one on the left wing and one on the right wing. Different weapons would be available as the game progresses. Silpheed's difficulty is normal since you'll have lives and an unlimited amount of continues. The bosses and levels are not too easy and not impossible to beat. What I find disappointing is the fact that you don't have some kind of "bomb" where everything takes damage on screen and where you are somewhat invincible. I feel that the lack of having such a "bomb" limits Silpheed's gameplay. I find Silpheed's replay value also disappointing. Once you beat the game, you'll probably never play it again. Compared to 1945 Strikers, you have different fighter jets to choose from so it would be worthwhile to beat the game again.

GRAPHICS (9.0)                                                                        This is where Silpheed does best in. Gorgeous 3D backgrounds and detailed enemies/bosses are presented in this game. Nice FMV's too. The screen shots says it all...

SOUND/MUSIC (6.9)                                                                     Hmmm... well to tell you the truth, I don't quite remember in detail the music in Silpheed. Maybe because it wasn't bad nor was it good either. The sound, however, I do remember clearly. The sound effects are pretty good, but the voice acting is terrible. Yes, terrible. When the narration of the story starts after each level is completed, you'll be saying, "is this voice acting?" This is the worst feature of the game.

CONTROL (7.0)                                                                                 Two or more weapons you obtain in Silpheed allow you to control them in a particular manner. I found controlling them not easy. Other than that, the controls are adequate.

CONCLUSION (7.6)                                                                      Don't buy Silpheed. You could rent it, but do so if you have nothing better to do. All Silpheed does is remind me of this proverb: Don't judge a book by its cover.

Here, you get to choose which weapon goes to which wing.

Fighting a big alien boss. Very detailed!

Shooting everything that moves.

All content © 1998-99 RJ Reviews. Parts or articles of RJ Reviews may not be reproduced without the authors' permission. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are the trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo and the "N" logos are the trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc.