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Let's hear a round of applause for a flight simulator which at least lets you get off the ground easily. You still need the appendages of an octopus to play, but at least this strain can be shared with a friend using the two player option.

ACE, the Air Combat Emulator, first appeared in the C16 but has undergone suitable changes to make it worthy of the extra memory capabilities of the C64.

The first decisions which have to be made is whether a night, day, summer or winter mission is to be flown and the level of ability of the crew. Then a suitable weapon load must be taken on, after which take off is a simple case of gaining enough speed, pulling back the joystick and raising the undercarriage.

Once in the air, it is wise to check the overall map to select your target and then you can manoeuvre your jet towards the area. The view from the cockpit gives a very good impression of speed and height and, although not "realistic" it gives an excellent impression of mountains, trees and waves depending on the terrain which you are flying over. The tilting of the horizon as the plane banks is fast and rolls and loops are possible (whether intentional or not).

The enemy combat forces come in various guises: naval convoys, formations of jets, helicopter-supported ground troops and deadly SIM rocket launchers. Each game allows you three aircraft to totally wipe out the opposition but you only acquire a new jet if you successfully eject from a doomed plane over allied occupied territory.

The display panel gives all the information about altitude, attitude, speed, thrust, fuel level and direction. Additionally, you also have a radar which can show whether an enemy plane is above, below, beside or in front of you; the armaments currently in use; the image from a rear-view camera; and a computer output display which is supported by voice synthesis.

Fuel can be obtained either on the wing or by landing at an airbase. Both options are tricky to achieve but practice makes perfect. After several encounters with the enemy, landing is the only real option so that you can re-arm and repair your jet.

In use, I found this simulator delightfully easy to come to terms with but difficult enough in combat mode to make me realise that it would take several hours of practice before I would be considered ace. More often than not, I turned out to be my own worst enemy as I persistently ran out of fuel and had to bale out of my 'glider'.

If technical accuracy is not your main requirement from a flight simulator but realistic action is, then this is probably the best you can get.