Genre: Action
Developer: Silent Software
Publisher: Prolific

Games with 100% texture-mapped polygons are not common on the 3DO because of memory bandwidth and raw processing limitations. Return Fire manages decent framerates, a full 3d engine, and split-screen support without sacrificing playability. While the textures aren't as detailed as games like BladeForce, the game, played from an overhead view, is colorful and has a very detailed look to it, no doubt due to the many polygons on screen at once. One of the nicer looking 3DO games on the whole.

The generic gun sound effects are not much to speak of, but the music is fantastic; the entire song lineup consists of classical music, including many songs such as "Flight of the Bumblebees", which lend an "Apocalypse Now!" sensation to the military goings-on. There is also a funny voice sample, a "Muhahahahaaaaaha!" as a skull laughs at you when you are blown to bits, which, when combined with certain gameplay aspects, gives Return Fire a definite sense of humor.

Like "Desert Strike" on the Genesis, Return Fire is played from a top-down, 3/4 perspective-- and there's even a helicopter! Actually, there are four vehicles- helicopter, tank, armored support vehicle, and jeep. Each vehicle is steered using a combination of D-pad and shift buttons. The objective is to capture your opponent's flag and return it to your base. You have a finite number of each vehicle to use, and the plethora of maps give you plenty of opportunities to destroy bridges, hide your own flag, plant mines, and much more. The possible approaches to gameplay are endless, the depth, amazing.

While it's a little boring to play alone, Return Fire is one of the finest 2-player games I have ever played. Its combination of humor, classical soundtrack, and superb gameplay make this an instant classic. You can approach each game of Return Fire however you'd like, and the four vehicles give you plenty of options. Yet despite all the possibilities, the game is tight, like chess; you can wrap your mind around prevalent openings, middle strategies, and ways to continually outwit your opponent without getting swamped in it all. When all is said, Return Fire is a prime example of what a video game should be like. Destroy, Destroy, Destroy!