Project Sylpheed - Xbox 360

I've been enamored with space based flight combat games since I chased womp rats in my T-16 back home. (X-Wing on the PC is an old favorite). Project Sylpheed is unapologetic arcade style action. Missions end promptly with a (often arbitrary) timeout or when primary objective(s) are achieved/failed, whichever comes first.

Playability is a big factor; all cut-scenes can be skipped (yet still watched later as "Extras") and loading times are minimal. Mission briefings are simple, cleanly presented, yet informative affairs. The multi-layer missions are sometimes frustrating but can be skipped after three consecutive failures (which is such an obvious feature but one so often omitted - I'm undecided whether it's a design flaw that the feature exists at all or whether it's a carefully considered addition - I like it either way). A definite gripe is that secondary objectives are never obvious. They're invariably related to destroying *all* the bad guys but it would be helpful if the radio chatter was a little more explicit about them. Also the option to stick it out and attempt to complete them, after primary concerns are dealt with, would be welcome.

Combat and controls are solid except that one cannot automatically lock on (only) primary objective targets.

The roleplaying element is surprisingly addictive; developing and equipping different weapons and mixing combinations to try to find the perfect mashup is an interesting diversion between levels.

Sylpheed's storyline cherry picks the cheesiest moments from from Top Gun, Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars, adds a Square Enix coated veneer and is illustrated with pretty movies.

A varied soundtrack ranging from Orbital-esque beats to Square Enix midi-orchestral beaps, sometimes enhances sometime distracts.

[Spoiler] The final mission is sofa-king-wee-todd-ed (repeat aloud) and a disappointment but doesn't prevent this project delivering a high velocity payload of melodramatic space based action.

PS I haven't played it in high def yet. I might update this after I do...