Krisalis is emerging as a prolific developer of quality games software, and lucky Archimedes/A3000 owners are reaping the benefits.

Fresh from their success in the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup, that football team is back! This is a new football simulator based on the very popular Manchester United Football Club, but with several improvements suggested by those who played the original. Apparently when the writers asked what people wanted in the new release, they were asked for a European version - and that's exactly what they've got.

This time, taking the role of Man United, you can take part in any football championship you care to mention. You name it, you can play it; the European Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup, European SuperCup or World Club Championship. All teams have their player details and club shield included. If you still have any energy left after that lot you can also play friendly matches with anyone else in UEFA, including Manchester United - which is either an amusing bug, or a little known 5th division Albanian team.

As in the original, you can either concentrate on the management and running of a competition, forgetting about the arcade section, or you can do both. However, the management side of the game is not as comprehensive; this version lacks the reather nice moving icons which kept appearing in the original.

Team members now have the correct numbers on their shirts, and the player currently in possession of the ball is displayed along with other information on a large and impressive overscan screen. This is helpful, and adds to the atmosphere, but somehow the scrolling of the display and the movement of the players seems to be considerably slower than before.

Some of the nicest features of the first version have actually gone: there is no 'action replay' sequence after a goal, the little transparent map of everyone's location in the top of the screen has disappeared, and somebody has seen fit to put red in the shading of the grass on the pitch. Having said that, what is really important is the improved player control. After each kick of the ball, there is a short moment in which you can apply after-touch to the shot, adding spin or chipping it over your opponent's heads. If the ball is in the air, depending on its height you can score score stunning goals, with headers, volleys and sliding shots.

The penalty rules have been implemented in full this time, and you have the option to control the goalkeeper, or keep well clear and let the computer do the dirty work. Another bonus is the way two players can play on the same side - essential for every computer football game - and there is ample support for joysticks if you prefer. Keyboard control is still via the cursor keys - very uncomfortable for the seasoned Acorn gamer.

All in all, there are enough additions to justify buying the new versions. Doubtless it will be a big hit with football fanatics, but I think Krisalis might have spent their time more productively, converting something completely new, rather than updating an old game. In any case, if you like football, this is for you.