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Kane is a wild west arcade game in four sections. Although mostly one to file under the 'dire' category, there is some oddly effective animation here and there.

I like games where there is no serious attempt to impose a plot on what is obviously a plotless game. There are four sections, but apart from being wild west orientated there is no other link between them so you can regard them as separate.

Game one is a duck shoot, apparently the Indians like them so bagging a few earns you extra lives. Position the cursor to sort out your fire angle and work out when to release your bow. Nice animated figure of the bowman - everything else stinks.

Game two is running and jumping on your horse, dodge the rocks by timing your jumps, tedious but very nice horse animation.

Game three is a shootout, you stand, poised in authentic wild west manner in the middle of town, and from shop fronts, roofs and behind buildings outlaws suddenly appear - shoot them before they shoot you. The animation is again quite effective, and I think this is probably the best part of the program.

The last section is more horsey running and jumping, though this time your objective is to reach the front of a speeding train. Same comments as part two.

Kane is nothing special, even in a budget range, but the occasional flashes of effort, as evidenced in the animation lift it a few notches above the run of the mill. I wouldn't actually recommend you go out and buy it though.

Label: Mastertronic Author: John Darnell, Simon Freeman Joystick: various Memory: 48K/128K Reviewer: Graham Taylor

**

Dull wild west potporri - really four games in one. Redeemed here and there by some good animation.