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Banish images of Krystal and Alexis scratching each other's eyes out: this tale is set before hairspray was invented, back in 184 AD when China's advanced civilization was proving its superiority with rigorously ordered slaughter. While our ancestors were painting themselves bue and complaining about all the Roman roadworks, the Chinese has mastered the art of cutting each other up into the tiniest of bits with the greatest of skill.

Great warrior families such as the Han and the Kai fought each other for power. The Han probably won, as they're the goodies in this spectacular slash-'em-up.

But as the game begins the Hans are down to the overly familiar odds of one an against millions. Who this man is depends on you, there are four warriors eager to go into battle, but for some strange reason only one of them can go (or two on the Amiga). Their names are Shang Fei, Lui Bei, Kuan Yu and Shao Yun (and are going to play havoc with Phil's spell check). Each has their own characteristics (fire power and life force), plus a weapon (either a sword or lance). To avoid looking totally daft with the latter you're also issued with a horse.

The actual battlefield is viewed side-on, horizontally scrolling once you beat all the baddies in the immediate vicinity. Holding down fire increases the strength of your blow against footsoldiers, archers and other horsemen.

As you fight on, you'll encounter various obstacles, such as fences and vases which occasionally yield energy capsules when chopped apart. On the Amiga, you can also find new weapons (a bigger sword, for example). You need all the help you can get because at the end of each level there's a general who must be defeated.

Ghouls 'N Ghosts made the Capcom/US Gold label something to look out for, but subsequent releases have sadly let it down. Both this and Black Tiger are very run-of-the-mill coin-ops completely lacking in the imagination and originality which distinguished Ghouls 'N Ghosts.

A routine rightward scrolling slash-'em-up is distinguished only by the heroes being on horses, and some attractive graphics. In the event, the horses serve to restrict movement, while the graphics cripple the Amiga game with incredibly slow control responses making it very frustrating and unenjoyable.

By contrast, the C64 game is as fast as you could want. The graphics aren't great, but they're still quite good. Unfortunately the basic coin-op is repetitive, so that after getting some way into the game you lose interest. Let's hope UN Squadron gets Capcom back on course!

Even watching Dynasty would be more enjoyable than playing this! The C64 game has dull graphics and repetitive gameplay, but it's a thoroughbred compared to the Amiga donkey. The latter may have more attractive, detailed backdrops but unfortunately utilises 'stroboscopic' animation - i.e. extremely jerky and slow.

My only amusement from the Amiga version came when my horse was moving in the opposite direction to which it was galloping.

US Gold really ought to know better than to trot out such a lame game.

Presentation 95%
Attract mode, inter-level screens and simultaneous two-player option.

Graphics 72%
Some very nice backgrounds with good detail and variety. Nice sprites but scrolling is a little jerky.

Sound 59%
No sound FX, merely continuous soundtrack.

Hookability 61%
Relatively simple and fairly easy to begin with but fighting through the treacle of slow responses is maddening.

Lastability 53%
Eight levels offer a fair challenge, but gameplay is too repetitive and irritating to be compulsive.

Overall 57%
A very attractive game spoilt by sluggishness and repetitiveness.

Presentation 63%
No two player option and multi-load, but continue play option usefully softens the single life and there's nice scrolling through the battlefield.

Graphics 63%
The enemy men are a little crude, but the backgrounds aren't bad and the horses are nicely animated.

Sound 64%
Some nice intro tunes and okay FX.

Hookability 68%
Simple gameplay and speedy arcade action makes this initially quite compelling.

Lastability 60%
Unfortunately the gameplay is repetitive and interest soon wanes.

Overall 62%
A playable, but unremarkable conversion of a repetitive coin-op.