The weirdest part of the game is that there is no story line: you are basically the best pilot to ever hit the skies, and you are back for more action. Here is how GT describes the plot: You rose through the ranks faster than any other pilot in the nation's history. You've logged more time in the most advanced military choppers than any other man. You've mastered all the sims and drills. It's time to put the training to the test. YOUR MISSION: Rescue M.I.A.'s. Lead recon missions into the heart of Vietcong territory. Escort allied tank columns. Spearhead seek-and-destroy missions. Live to do it all again. Hmmm, where have I heard that before? :) Despite its zero-plot basis, I think this game was merely designed for some quick fun and action, and it succeeds -- but hardcore simulation fans will most-likely scratch their heads when they play this game.

As for arcade gameplay, if you've got the right set-up, you're in for a wicked ride. There's no cockpits, no instruments to worry about, just pure action. Basically your HUD consists of targetting crosshairs (that vary for each weapon), a map/compass, a damage report and a weapon loadout meter. The way they created the crosshairs is sort of unique: rather than having to scavenge the ground for enemy vehicles and people, your crosshairs automatically move themselves over the nearest target. Once you swivel your craft into correct alignment, your auto-targetting system will be in effect providing precise shots for cannons, missles, grenades etc... so in other words, no more manual targetting. As for the weapons, they are appropriately illuminated so you can both see incoming and outgoing ammunition fire. Since the game is based in Vietnam, you pilot the most sophisticated crafts from the time including the AH-1 Cobra, OH-6 Loach, UH-1 Gunship, ACH-47A Gunship, and A-37 Dragonfly. Each helicopter has its own special features, some more manuverable than others, some that carry more payload. Whatever the mission is, the game chooses an appropriate attack chopper for you. I would have liked to have been able to use my own choice for each mission, but at least this option is partially available in multiplayer. The scenarios vary every time: sometimes your objective will be to escort a craft to a designated waypoint, others include rescuing stranded pilots and troops, destroying enemy sidelines and even preventing enemy strikes on your base. Even if you don't like those types of missions, there will probably be at least one that you will find enjoyable because the game includes a full 26 unique missions to accomplish. Some objectives are more difficult than others, but the game does not progress gradually.

What I mean by that is the Artificial Intelligence is way off. In some missions you will fly right through an enemy base and only when you circle around for the second time will the enemies start firing back. I succesfully destroyed an entire base before the enemy triple A's were even able to spot me. Then in other missions, you can be approaching a similar base, and get blown to hell and back for no apparent reason. I believe in arcade action, but at least throw some quality A.I. if you're going to make a mission-based game.

Overall I found the control to be excellent, especially if you have a suitable joystick, such as the MS Sidewinder 3D Pro which I used. Basically, any joystick with a throttle and rudder will suffice. The throttle controls the up/down movement of the chopper, the left/right controls the strafing, the forward/backward controls the acceleration and reverse, and finally the rudder controls the chopper's swivel. Each of the weapons can be easily cycled through at will with the touch of one button. If you are stuck with a keyboard, don't feel too bad, you will still be able to play the game. The problem with the keyboard was that I found there was not enough flexibility to properly avoid enemy fire. And one last note to make is the game fully supports Force Feedback for all you lucky stiffs who own a FF joystick.

Multiplayer is a blast! That is, if you can get it working. The IPX works fine, but the internet play still has some glitches which GT Interactive is working out. If you visit their MIA web site you will notice it says **Multiplay via Internet, Modem, and Serial Line may not function properly with this version of M.I.A. A patch is currently in the works and will be available shortly from this webpage. So I will be keeping my eyes out for it. Playing over the LAN was truly fun, and the game even includes built-in variants. These variants include Deathmatch, Teamplay Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Teamplay Capture the Flag. I have a feeling the game will popular at LAN parties...

When you think of arcade games a common thing usually comes to one's mind: great graphics. Does MIA suceed in this category as well? Certainly! The engine they have created is a mixture of full 3D action with excellent special effects that are suitable for any arcade game. The engine can create terrain quite effectively, and although it doesn't create thousands of miles of it like simulators, it provides you with enough grounds for destruction at least... You will pleased to find out the game fully supports Direct3D (well Glide/OpenGL would have been more pleasing) and can handle multiple resolutions depending on your video card. I found playing the game at 800x600 to be ideal, anything higher and you might not be able to make out the ground units. The explosions consist of a great mass of debris and fire. Pixelation is a tad of a problem on some levels, but the models do not suffer, just the ground. The models appear very crisp and the ground units as well. I would have liked to been able to see more detail in the people animation, because they just seem to be sticks moving around. Although the graphics suffer some minor flaws, they are satisfactory overall.

The sound effects are suitable for this arcade game, but they could have added a little more variety. Mostly the game consists of *put* *put* *put*'s from the cannons and streaking noises from missles. You only hear speech in the game when it is appropriate to the mission objective order: I prefer to hear some more ambient sound and perhaps louder explosions. If you have a 4 speaker stereo set up, I can understand how the game's sound output could be immersive. I guess I won't understand until I get a better sound system. On the other hand the chopper's spinning blades sound awesome, especially when you pass by another a chopper, it really feels as if you are there.

Although the game doesn't qualify for a Gamer's Choice Award, I assure you it will provide some sort of enjoyment for any arcade fan. So if you are looking for a fast-paced, in your face 3D helicopter action game I highly suggest Missing In Action. If you are coming from the pool of simulation fans, you might not find it as interesting. Overall, they did a great job on creating an arcade experience on the home PC.

Graphics: 15 / 20
Sound: 12 / 15
Gameplay: 26 / 30
Fun Factor: 18 / 20
Multiplayer Play: 3 / 5
Overall Impression: 8 / 10

Overall Rating: 82 / 100