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If I had to make one criticism of all the flight simulators currently available for the Spectrum, it would be that they're far too difficult to get involved with. Having loaded the games, you are expected to have read the 100+ page book, and be fluent with the multiple keystrokes to control the plane. Then, having done all this, you just fly around looking at the scenery!

Ace is something completely different. Although classed as a flight simulator, Cascade have turned Ace into a completely new flying experience. No longer are your wings clipped by lack of knowledge; once you're up, you are free to do whatever you want - and that includes blasting everything that moves!!

Set in England during, we presume, wartime, the southern shores are being invaded. Dozens of tanks have already landed, covered by SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) equipped helicopters, with numerous squadrons of enemy fighters patrolling the air. In a last valiant attempt to save England from these dastardly marauders, you have been assigned to fly the last three A.C.E. Mark 2.1 Multi-Role All Weather All Terrain (AWAT) combat aircraft. To make matters much worse, there are only three allied airbases remaining! Flying sorties from these bases, you must attack and destroy the enemy - irrespective of the fact that you are massively outnumbered.

Only when all the enemy land-bases, together with the fighters, have been successfully destroyed will you be able to embark on the final stage of the conflict: to sink the enemy fleet as they attempt to evacuate their defeated and demoralised army - this may sound totally callous, "but a man's gotta go what a man's gotta do"!!!

All this may sound daunting, but there is one more problem that must be dealt with immediately, Lenslok! In case you have never encountered this annoying piece of copy protection, it involves a small plastic object which, when used in conjunction with specially written software, allows the software house to be reasonably sure that no-one can copy the game.

When the game is loaded, what looks like a load of junk - and many would argue is a load of junk - appears on the screen. When you use the provided lens, this is supposed to turn into two letters, which upon entering lets you into the game. In theory this is all very well. In practice however, this just isn't the case. If you make three mistakes, or take too much time, the game crashes and you must reload. Thankfully, ACE has a practice mode, but Lenslok is still a real pain, and many people will find that it stops them enjoying games such as ACE.

Once you have managed to get past Lenslok - it took me nearly an hour the first time! - you start playing in earnest. The first menu gives you a wide variety of playing options, which include: choosing your skill level, selecting single or crewed flight, settings for the game (Summer, Winter and Night) and Load and Display the high scores. Next you are given a choice of weapons to take on your mission. You have a choice of Multirole, Air Superiority, Ground Attack or Naval Attack.

This might sound like a confusing set of decisions, but once you are used to playing the game, it becomes just a matter of a few seconds between deciding what type of game you want to play, and taking off.

Getting airborne requires a matter of five minutes practice to master. First, you must increase thrust by pressing Z, until the aircraft speed reaches about 150 knots. You can then pull the nose back and reach for the sky - remembering to pull up the undercarriage! Once in the air, and out of runway mode, you are free to start getting used to the controls and on-screen instrument panels.

One of ACE's best features is the excellent reaction to input. Loop the loop, rolls and dummy stalls are all easily executed, with a minimum of worry - unless an enemy decides to interrupt your fun! After a short while, most people will be confident enough to take on the wrath of the enemy.

An essential part of ACE is using the map provided. Pressing M both gives you a detailed map of refuelling planes, any enemy, and the coastline. Without this, you can be sure of one thing, you won't succeed. Having located the first batch of enemy tanks, you must attack as soon as possible, giving yourself a little lead time on the enemy. Air to Ground missiles, or accurate cannon fire is generally adequate to rid you of most land-based baddies, although extended low altitude flight is not something to be recommended. If you are successful at destroying the tanks and helicopters, you must dive upward, and use all your flying prowess to dodge, swerve and generally avoid the other aircraft, shooting as you go.

Although there are refuelling planes, it is sometimes advisable to make a quick landing, when the plane will not only be refuelled, but any damage will be repaired.

Graphically, ACE is excellent. The feel of flying is created using a very effective 'horizon' and all the planes, tanks, trees, and helicopters are very well defined. More than anything else, ACE has a feeling of quality that makes it a joy to play. As far as anyone can make the most of the Spectrum's less than wonderful sound, ACE has a respectable amount of blasting sounds.

For fans of flight simulators who want something with a bit more zip, or arcade fanatics who feel they need a more long-lasting game, ACE represents an all-time bargain. Not only is it immensely playable, but it is deceptively difficult to finish.

Spectrum owners with a yearning to take off the experience the best blast/simulation available yet will find ACE satisfies them completely. In my view it is one of the most impressive games available at the moment, and I can recommend it wholeheartedly.