A rarity for a console game, Over G Fighters does not fall into the arcade category. Fighters is a complex, hard, unforgiving, and at times dull flight experience. It's pacing doesn't sit well for a console game, and while its fans will be vocal, this one completely misses the mass-market audience.

Glaring flaws are apparent from the first mission. While players control high-end fighter planes, there's no sense of speed here at all. Even when flying low over the ground in full thrust, it barely feels like you're moving faster than a car. Destinations or mission objectives can take four or five minutes to reach, only to then fire one missile to complete the task.

It's this type of pacing that feels out of place. While likely realistic, it's hard to imagine this being entertaining. The strategy involved is welcome, especially when it comes to weapon selection. Unlike the standard console shooter, you're limited to what your wings can hold. Many missions will send the player out against more foes than they have missiles for. This will require a long trip back to base to land, refuel, and reload.

Co-pilots accompany the player on nearly every mission. They rarely listen to given commands unless the target you're pointing them to is clearly visible. Shooting down targets doesn't seem to be their specialty either. At times, they make some terrible judgment calls, crashing into your own plane and abruptly ending the mission (obviously).

Additional concerns are present, including the effects of G-forces (hence the title) on your pilot. Go over a certain amount of pressure and your pilot begins to lose his vision. You're warned of this repeatedly by a grating cockpit voice. Aside from its sim-like approach, this is one of the few features to set this one apart from its more exciting cousins.

The single player campaign tells the basic war story between countries. The presentation is awful, with barely animated figures going over the basics to prepare for each sortie. In-game graphics are worse yet, sporting abysmal textures on the ground that would have been out of place on the Nintendo 64. A few mountain ranges are the only minor highlights.