Incoming is a 3D shooter video game developed and published by Rage Software. The game was first released for Microsoft Windows in mid-1998, and was followed by a Dreamcast version, which was released in Japan on December 17, 1998, in Europe on October 14, 1999, An arcade version of the game, utilising a unique hardware interface, was released in 2003. right|thumb|200px|A cutscene using the main game engine.
Development
Rage Software, developers of Incoming, were known for their cutting-edge graphics and effects. and was included in some retail versions of the Voodoo2 graphics card.
While exhibiting the PC version at the September 1997 European Computer Trade Show, Rage Software stated that they were considering a Nintendo 64 version of the game. However, none was ever released.
An arcade version followed in 2003, running on the Vortek V3 Global VR arcade board, utilising the system's unique virtual reality hardware interface.
Critical reception
The Windows version of Incoming was generally well received. Edge highlighted the game's efficient gameplay mechanics, giving it eight out of ten and stating that designers "managed to produce something more than a lightshow, taking care to fine-tune a design that, if not exactly original, at least does its thing with flair and solid understanding of gameplay."
Next Generation said the game was "definitely an improvement to the action/arcade genre, as well as a visual improvement to the 3D market as a whole. The amount of varied units and different setting give Incoming the commendable originality and replay value that make it a title worth checking out."
The reception was less positive when the game was ported to the Dreamcast. A release title for Sega's console, IGN complained that the graphics were not top-of-the-range at the time of its late 1999 release, with the draw distance being cited as a specific hindrance on gameplay. IGN also said that, although the game "is lacking in many areas, there's more than enough here for the hardcore shooting fans out there to have their requisite blast of shooting action". Though criticizing the graphics' ability to "get in the way at times", the "very vague" mission briefings and the "odd flying model for the planes", the reviewer conceded that "if you're a hardcore shooting fan, and you're looking for a good challenge, you'll probably want to look into Incoming." PlanetDreamcasts review was harsher, describing the plot as "the same recycled garbage used in tons of other games of this type", the multiplayer split screen mode as "lame" and the objectives as "mundane". The reviewer also noted graphical issues, clipping problems and poor controls. Though dismissing the graphics as "a bit dated", the reviewer did acknowledge the "nifty special effects" and admitted that "Incoming may be worth a rental... [it] is only slightly better than mediocre." In Japan, where said console version was released under the name , Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.