Siberian Strike X by Gameloft, Price: $15.95
Reviewed February 2004 by Tony Peak

Siberian Strike X is basically what I'd call a very modern and impressive take on the Capcom classic 1942. While it carries much the same feel, the concept has been updated and improved in nearly every way. This is quite possibly the closest feel to an actual arcade game seen on the Pocket PC to date.

Gameplay is arcade through and through, and stands respectably along side some of the best arcade shoot ‘em ups out there. From racing through slaloms at breakneck speeds to fighting hordes of enemies and turrets from all directions, Siberian Strike X has it all. Enemy flight patterns are both complex and impressive, flying at you in formations and at times filling the screen with planes. Bullet patterns don't exactly fill the screen like some Japanese shooters, but still surround you with a very respectable and dynamic amount of bullets to dodge. And thankfully, your small plane with a relatively tiny hitbox means dodging enemy fire patterns is only a matter of skill, not luck.

I found the controls to be pretty much everything I could ask for. The gamepad control felt responsive, but fine tuned enough to allow for easy dodging between fire. The single button firing / charge system works very well and should be familiar to anyone. Even though I preferred gamepad control for that arcade feeling, the stylus control was very nice as well. In fact, stylus control is quite nice for a game like this where you can simply visually drag your ship the on path to take.

I absolutely love the graphics and sound of Siberian Strike X. They completely feel pixel perfect to a Capcom arcade title. From the flashy intro and announcer voice, to the character select screen, and of course the in game graphics, the feel is carried perfectly. The visuals are sharp, smooth, and continually more impressive with each level. Even the gallery shots between levels accompanying the storyline were all quite amusing, and few crack me up every time. Personally, I found the 2 nd and the 6 th the funniest of all.

I really don't have anything bad to say about Siberian Strike X. It's unmatched so far as Pocket PC shoot ‘em ups go, and especially as far as 1942 style games go. Without a doubt, any fan of the genre should own this game.

Playing Hints and Tips

-Stick to the back of the screen to give yourself time to react, but never be afraid to fly further north when need be.

-Your charged shot is your best friend, keep one ready and waiting at all times. Use charged shots to wipe out entire lines of enemy turrets at once.

-Never sit still when dodging bullets. A stationary pilot is a dead pilot. Zig and Zag across the levels where need be, firing charged shots wherever you can hit the most enemies.

-Learn which enemies to ignore and simply dodge, but take them out of the chance presents it's self. The best way not to get trapped in a crossfire is to take them out first.

-Personally, I believe the P-38 Lightning is the best ship of the game. It's fast enough to survive the slaloms and dodge through the center of bullet barrages, but shielded enough to survive a few hits. Best of all, it can deal the most damage, finishing off enemies quickly so you have to dodge less.