I had immediate problems with Grid Runner. The cassette inlay promised instructions as soon as loading was complete. but none were forthcoming.

I then fiddled about with the keyboard and eventually discovered a superb game.

It's a convoluted plot, but basically you operate a laser base (grid runner) at the bottom of an electrical grid.

Packets of electricity in chains descend the grid. If you hit a chain it splits into smaller packets. making it harder to destroy each fragment.

If the electricity reaches you, you are zapped. The zapping effect is excellent, accompanied by a nice electrical sizzling sound and little ripples of charge along the grid.

The graphics are of a high standard and the author has even created a new chunky character font to replace the standard Spectrum alphabet. I found this reduced colour crawl on my screen.

A high score feature is provided and, since the grid runner can move up and down as well as side to side, a high degree of hand/eye co-ordination is required.

But please, Quicksilva, can we have some on-screen instructions, as promised?

M.B.