A problem that has faced arcade action games on the PC for some time is that the port is usually done cheaply from a console port from an arcade game. It's like a copy of a copy, which is never as good as the original. Rage's new game, Incoming, is pretty much the original. It's not an actual arcade game, although it probably could be. And it's not a port from a console system.

The reason that console games do not work well on the computer is due to the fact that a good majority of the games produced for console systems are designed with the rental market in mind. This cuts the depth and full game down to a very linear and repetitive selection of basically the same levels with different backgrounds or textures. Computer players are forced to shell out $40.00 to experience the whole package, while console gamers have the option of renting before they choose to buy the full game. At the very most, a PC gamer may be able to get a demo from the Internet or possibly play the game in a store for a limited amount of time.

Another point that will put off many computer players from console ports is that PC gamers desire a good assortment of level designs with some reason to play the game through. Even up to today, games on consoles take up only a small amount of space in comparison to the 2+ gigabyte games being produced today using multiple CDs. The Nintendo 64 cartridge has still yet to break the 100 meg mark.

Incoming takes elements of the computer and console game worlds to create an addictive game that can be enjoyed for 15 minutes or 4 hours. The premise is pretty simple: Aliens are attacking Earth and you need to stop them. Gameplay switches between an assortment of different vehicles, including tanks, helicopters, jets, and ground turrets.

The graphics in the game are beautiful to say the least, but you're going to miss out on them unless you have a good 3D accelerator. The game makes use of particle effects and colored lighting to create some of the best explosions and weapon fire I have seen in a game anywhere, including the arcade. Still, these effects are visible only with the right hardware. If you have a state-of-the-art graphics card in your PC, this is the game you want to show it off with.

The sound and music in Incoming are almost equally as good as the graphics, but not as taxing on your system. The techno soundtrack is played directly off the audio portion of the CD, and the sounds match exactly what's happening on the screen. When an enemy fighter crashes in a huge fireball, you can hear every small explosion as it rolls and breaks apart on the ground. The mix between the pulsating music and the action packed sounds only raises the fun and excitement level even more.

If you like simple controls in your action games, this is the one for you. A joystick is required for the major controls, and the keyboard is used only for basic thrust and altitude changes. No large cards with commands for every single key here. Also, the control changes between the different craft, but the same assortment of keys are used to keep from confusion.

The levels of Incoming are broken into segments. Most of the time each segment has you changing your vehicle to complete one or two new tasks. Usually these segments will mainly deal with destroying a new wave of fighters, but occasionally you will be asked to make equipment pick ups and drop offs, or a search and destroy objective. This is the perfect game for an arcade or action freak. Its breakneck pace and simple design provides some very entertaining play.

It is quite easy to become addicted to Incoming, but it can seem to lack depth to the hardcore adventure gamer or action player who likes tough objectives and thought problems. There is also no real puzzle like play in Incoming. You are not required to hunt for keys or try to find the combination to a door. Despite its basic nature, Incoming delivers the truest arcade-like experience on the PC that I have seen.

System Requirements: Pentium 133, 32 MB RAM, 3D Accelerator, Windows 95, and 40 MB of disk space.

Tested on a: Intel Pentium II 400, 128 MB RAM, 20X CD-ROM, Sound Blaster PCI 128, ATI XPert@Play AGP, a Microsoft mouse, a Gravis joystick, and Windows 98.