Whether you sign up for a complete campaign or hop into a single mission, all flights begin with a mission planning session that lets you get a look at the topography of the mission area and designate targets and waypoint for the flight. As the name implies, this game is more about coordinating a team of helicopters than buzzing around on lone-wolf missions, so a little time spent with the Mission Planner can yield huge dividends when a mission is actually flown.

The game is far from perfect, but it is still a lot of fun. The main problem is the sloppy physics model, which has none of the "feel" more realistic helicopter simulations provide. Those who favor realistic simulations will find that the play experience is a little too much like playing an arcade game. Team Alligator definitely benefits from a joystick with a throttle control--otherwise changing altitude is too much of a chore. If you have a snazzy joystick and no real desire to have to learn dozens of advanced flight instruments and systems, Team Alligator is the game you've been waiting for. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Crisp graphics
• You get to lead a team of advanced attack helicopters

• Flight model is more arcadelike than realistic
• Wingmen can be a little dumb