Developed by: Smilebit | Published by: Sega | 1/24/03

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Awesome production value. The graphics are top-notch, the levels are dramatic in design, the rail takes you through a dramatic rollercoaster-like experience, and the animations are also top-notch.

The game play is very well-paced and fine-tuned. Although the game is on a rail, the freedom to move up, down, left, right, and spin around all 360 degrees, as well as needing to do so as you pan the scenery for targets, gives a sense of freedom to the player. The player is also free to develop his own pattern of charge-firing and rapid-firing in order to figure out which pattern would work best, which presents and element of problem-solving and strategy to the game play. There are no jerky movements, and no moments when you make one tiny mistake and then get sent flying way back. Well-paced and fine-tuned for quality.

A variety of different types of enemies. So much variety it is very difficult to list them. Each one you approach in a different way.

Variety of types of areas, each of which is a whole new experience. Underground caves, rain forests, ash lands, the sky, snowy fields, tech bases...

The story tells the tale of a woman imprisoned, kicked around, and mistrusting of others, who is released and then learns to love and returns to fight for justice. The story is also told very well, episode by episode.

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Game play is well done, but lacks variety. Too much of a pure shooter. The game play also has almost nothing to do with the story. The story is more like background noise, whereas it should be an integral part of the experience.

Easy is not easy.

Gibberish talking. It isn't Japanese, and it certainly isn't English. My eyes are too busy paying attention to the game to read the text.

The game moves so fast that it does not give you any time to appreciate the visuals.

Although the game mechanics make you feel freedom, the game is still on a rail. It is 100% linear.