One of the first computer games I ever played, years ago, involved driving a car around a winding racetrack. The edges of the track were marked by rows of white posts, and all the player had to do was to move to the left or right to keep the car between the posts. This game is very reminiscent of that 'one, except that the car has been replaced by a kayak.

The screen display is of a scrolling river, its smooth blue surface broken at intervals by white blodges. As your kayak moves steadily along the river — it is paddled automatically, you only have to steer it — pairs of posts appear. You are supposed to aim the kayak between these posts, keeping the white posts to your left and the red ones to your right. However, the steering becomes very erratic as you get close to the posts, so success depends more on luck than good judgement.

If you negotiate a pair of posts successfully, a white square appears instead. When you have passed 25 pairs of posts, the game ends. No score is given, but I suppose you could count up the black and white squares if you want to know how you've done. p> The sound effects, a steady splish-splosh which continues even after you have completed the course, add to the soporific effect. A dull idea, poorly executed — give this one a miss.

M.N.