Most missions end after you have destroyed all waves of attackers without ever running out of health.  Some missions have special conditions as well, such as destroying a transport carrying an enemy VIP, or destroying a set number of a certain type of enemy; failing to do so will end the mission.  These extra conditions provide some variety to the missions, and force you to adjust your strategy somewhat so that you do not miss the chance to destroy the key vehicles.  The mission objectives coupled with the limited availability of ammo and air support also add a bit of a strategic element to the game's arcade-style gameplay.

The game sports a 3D engine and its graphics look really good.  You'll get a closer look at the planes than any other attacker, and they look surprisingly detailed.  The game's explosions also look great, and you'll see a variety of them.  Enemies do not blow up the same way every time they are hit - ships sink in a variety of manners and pieces of aircraft rain down in different ways from midair explosions.  Missions also take place at various times of day, with appropriate lighting effects such as the rosy glow of a sunset.  The island itself is a surprisingly sparse environment, though - you look like you are sitting atop a small, round sand pile, albeit a very nice looking sand pile.

While Operation Blockade does feature a campaign game, when you really get down to it it is just a series of missions that tend to get more difficult as you progress.  This isn't really a bad thing, as the game has an addicting fun quality to it.  The attacks are random, even when replaying the same mission, so there is replay value to the missions even though you'd be hard pressed to tell some of them apart.  Operation Blockade isn't the sort of game that you will feel compelled to sit down and play through in marathon sessions.  It will wear on you after a bit, but the addicting quality of its fast-paced gameplay will bring you back for more.  It is a game best enjoyed in small doses, when you are itching for some shoot-em-up arcade gameplay.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 72%.  A simple, yet enjoyable and somewhat addicting game best enjoyed in small doses.  If you don't enjoy arcade shooters, though, you should pass on this one.

System Requirements:  Pentium II 350;  128 MB RAM;  16 MB Video RAM; 4x CD-ROM;  300 MB Hard Drive Space;  Mouse.

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