can see the horror unfolding before my eyes. "Wow, dad! Thanks! This is the best birthday ever! I really wanted Gran Turismo 3, but this airborne fire-fighting simulator is so much cooler!" What could possibly be next? A crop-dusting simulator, perhaps? Maybe a game based on a street sweeper? Oddly, even though City Crisis’ conceptual basis sounds just as exciting as watching your grandma adjust her dentures before applying a kiss to your forehead, the gameplay is respectable. I’d even go as far to say that it’s nothing short of fascinating.

As a pilot of a rescue helicopter, it’s your job to combat blazing rooftop fires, save injured civilians, and trail getaway cars. All these concepts come together under an arcade design where you are required to complete a series of objectives before time expires. Simple in theory, sure, yet the execution couldn’t be more taxing on your patience and gaming prowess. Manhandling the helicopter with the PS2’s dual analog sticks is extremely tricky – especially when you must keep it steady to harness people and accurately spray water on flaming debris. Frustrating indeed, yet strangely amusing.

Even though it drove me nuts, I couldn’t put it down. It’s not a must have, but it’s well worth a look.  

MATTHEW KATO   7.5 Is this a way for Take-Two to undo the civic damage done by subsidiary Rockstar's State of Emergency? If so, it just might work – and us gamers get something, too! Using both analog sticks is pleasingly frustrating, and I actually gave enough of a damn about other people's lives to want to keep on with the missions. Crazy Taxi with a conscience.