X Squad is best described as a hybrid combining the tactics found in such games as Rainbow Six with the third-person action of Syphon Filter. It also marks the first Japanese made offering from the newly formed EA Square Japan. As Ash, the leader, your role is to lead a handpicked squad through futuristic city streets while fighting off terrorists. Your main objective is to rescue a high profiled scientist who has been kidnapped for her research on Project Medusa, a mysterious and obvious lethal weapon.

The visual presentation is a mixed bag. What has been presented is excellent and it would appear the developers have used quite a bit of the PS2's power. Beautiful and detailed character design, nice special effects in explosions and use of particle fog and smoke. Although level design looks tight, from level to level there is not much difference which by the end gets quite boring and at times quite confusing. Even the ability to use a mapping feature still causes some confusion due to a lot of the textures looking similar. The sound is above average but eventually tires as in level background music tends to loop quite early. Not a major issue in the smaller stages but towards the end of the game the music may annoy especially if your tastes do not lie within the junglist genre. Nevertheless the score does complement the on screen action and times makes you sweat a little bit as you anticipate what awaits around the next corridor. The voice acting on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired and is quite cheesy throughout the game.

The in-game controls are excellent. The developers did an admirable job utilizing all of the buttons on the Dual Shock 2 in a way that makes things easy to control and accessing weapons has never been made easier. The problem is not with the control and response of the main character but with how the other three team members act and respond to various situations. The much touted "unique and sophisticated buddy artificial intelligence" is not so intelligent after all. This especially becomes apparent in later missions where your team members shoot into walls and stand around while you get ripped apart from gun fire. Another issue is the unbalanced difficulty. Early levels are quite simple whereas later stages become extremely difficult. I do not mind a challenge but when you are faced with a room full of enemies with rocket launchers and your team is nowhere to be found, frustration takes over.

X Squad ends up being a middle of the road third-person shooter at best. There was great premise that can hopefully be polished if Square EA decide to go another round in the future. As it stands, some hard pressed action fans may find some worth in the game but most will be satisfied with a rental.