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N-n-n-n-... and so on. Back in '88, this was one of those games we'd heard about for SOOOOOOOOO long that when it finally spluttered onto the shelves no-one was all that interested. Cascade it was who bought the licence, and in many ways Boot Camp is typical of Cascade's games - not bad, perfectly playable, but just lacking that killer touch to make it a real humdinger. Basically it's a course in basic training, the results of which you are supposed to take through to the next game in the 'Nineteen' series to help you survive against the slithery Viet Cong. (Was there a next game? I really can't remember.) Which means four separate exercises, each assessing coordination, stamina and morale'. Sounds like Combat School? It does to me too.

The problem here is that Stage One Assault Course, is virtually impossible to complete. It's only when we get to Stage Two, the Shooting Range, that we really get into Fun City. You're in a forest, at the right end of a gun, and targets pop up which you have to pop off. At least, some of them you have to, because mixed in with them are women and children - hit them and you lose points aplenty. It's a stern, addictive little test, and the best bit of the game.

All in all, though, Boot Camp is a mixed bag, with three out of its four sections well below standard. But for three quid you may regard the shooting bit as worth the outlay.