AC-130: Operation Devastation is an on-rails shooter set aboard the title aircraft, the proven Lockheed gunship designed for air-to-ground assault. Players fly in missions spanning 30 years of warfare, set in Vietnam, Panama, and Iraq. Although the artistic design is realistic and the graphics are in 3D, the play of the game is reminiscent of an arcade-style vertically scrolling shooter. From their gunners' perches aboard the craft, players aim and fire weapons at passing ground targets, as the plane is automatically piloted ahead. In 12 missions based on real-life events, players have a chance to relive or change history. Fast-paced "Arcade" mode missions are available as well, with unlimited ammunition. As they progress through each scenario, players earn the chance to upgrade the weapons aboard the aircraft, and the in-game experience to know how and when to use them. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide