Annihilating unarmed, defenceless spacefreighters, carrying innocent war victims, who can only ram you in retaliation, must be the most tasteless scenario ever! You crave promotion from Cadet to Space Admiral - Level 12 and, since score is affected by time taken, must complete your murderous task quickly.

Your nine lives are lost by failing to complete missions in the time limit or, presumably, being rammed, and latest rank is displayed at each mission end. Mysteriously, the life display gained a life or lost several for no apparent reason and runs past nil to 98. Space bugs?

Directional movement uses Q, 3, 4 and 5 - thrust, fire and reverse are an O, I and M, a combination which, as the instructions gleefully point out (twice), will be difficult to master and carry the suggestion that, if you can't get the knack, you should throw out your Spectrum.

With my programmable joystick, and ignoring thrust and reverse, I reached Space Admiral, Level 1, with ease and retired to less boring occupation.

The high-resolution 3D graphics are excellent. A pity that obvious expertise is wasted to gain the doubtful distinction of simultaneously pleasing both sadists and masochists. Even for them it will not be a long-lasting pleasure.

D.C.