The main aspect that attracted me to Skygunner was the art style. I would love to sit here and tell you it was the old school shooter type game play, but that simply isn't the case. At first glance, it seems a little too cute, but there's a certain charm about the character and vehicle designs. It was great to see that the designs carried over into the actual game. As nice as it looks, there are a few minor problems that detract from the game - such as jaggies and some minor pop-up - but these are minor and really nothing to get worked up about.

After seeing the fully animated intro (which is very cool), I was expecting the same during the story sequences. To my surprise, and delight, they were actually done in a very nice comic book style.

Soundwise, the game still holds on to the charm that makes the graphics so pleasing. Not only can players choose between either English or Japanese voices, but the sound effects and music fit so well in the game, it's hard not to like what you hear.

Skygunner is your classic shooter, 'nuf said. However there are two things that hold it back from being a great game. The most noticeable (and as it turns out, most debilitating) is the slowdown. Most of the time the game will run perfectly, but during boss encounters the game enters this Ozzy Osborne-like shuffle that absolutely kills the game. As if that wasn't annoying enough, the slow reduces the graphics to a ragged, jagged mess and the game becomes nearly unplayable. Things only got worse once I discovered that Atlus fixed the problem, but only if you beat the game with a certain pilot and enter a code. I'm sure there is some logical reasoning behind this, but I've yet to find it. I fail to see any reason why this option couldn't have been available from the beginning.

Another problem facing the game is length - it's way too short. Unlike the other problem, this one isn't as major. The option to compete against other pilots (in certain missions) for a part to upgrade your plane and multiple characters with different stories helps to keep the game from becoming old too quickly, provided you can stand the slowdown for more than one trip through.

Your greatest adversity is going to be the slowdown. I know I've harped on it a lot, but it's something that has an effect on everything in the game in one way or another. Boss fights are hard enough without having to deal with the game limping along. Otherwise the game is well balanced and challenging without becoming frustrating.

Since things are always happening around you and you have total 3D movement, getting used to the controls takes a little getting used to, but one or two trips through the helpful training missions and you'll do fine.

Skygunner is an excellent game. It has all the style, charm, and playability to be a classic. However, silly technical issues (as well as their even sillier fixes) are the only things holding the game back. Definitely worth a look.