I gave 'em a 9 because it was an amazing speedy and dynamic shooter at its time. it played faster and more dynamic than gunhed and was kinda new in its kind. for me personally, it didn't lost any of its charme until today.
I also like the dissed blue circle laser. like an oversized ripple laser from salamander! just great and powerful!
a weak point was the 2nd level, since the BG didn't look that well. but beside of that, it's just a great shootie made out of pure pce madness as it should be!! and some of the levels and bosses looked better than anything in FS and SB together!
I can agree that soldier blade gets some more attention. it's a great shooter graphically as well as acoustic wise, no doubts. but as for final soldier I can't. it lost some of the original pepp which SSS had, and I find its graphics worse, which makes it the weakest part of the 3. altought the BGM is really great.
SSS: 9
FS: 7
SB:9
may some do not like SSS, but hey open your eyes, it's never a medicore shootie as they call it! not even close to that!