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The city of Amaurote has been overwhelmed by insects, and as the sole remaining officer of the Royal Army, the task of liberating it from this entomological onslaught has been delegated to you. Safe within your 'Arachnus 4' armoured vehicle, you enter each of the city's 25 sections in an attempt to despatch the occupying insects.

Taking an overhead viewpoint, the landscape scrolls past, showing the buildings, roads and the objects of your attack, the insects themselves.

The Arachnus 4 comes complete with the latest bouncing bombs, which, when fired, continue travelling until they hit something. This means both insects and buildings - but the Government of Amaurote would prefer it if you left some of the city intact!

There are three types of insect to beware: the diligent but stupid worker drones; the scouts who fly around the city on the lookout for intruders, and the Queen - co-ordinator of her army and a one-female factory whose single aim is the continued production of her species.

Your main objective is to destroy the Queen, as she produces another drone for each one that you kill. Because of her vast size, you need to use one of the new 'supa-bombs' which (similar to regular ammunition) are transported to you when requested. A new cache of bombs is dropped somewhere in the city and your on-board scanner indicates the direction in which they lie. The scanner is also used to pinpoint any remaining insects in the district.

Only when the current district has been cleared of the six-legged interlopers can you then advance to the next section.

The standard of Mastertronic releases is becoming a little erratic: for every wonderful release we get, we also receive a turkey - and this is a prize one. Although smart-looking, this game is far too simple and repetitive to attract anyone's attention, let alone actually hold it.

Wandering around a desolate landscape in search of a final bug to swat isn't my idea of a good time, and that's exactly what you find yourself doing time and time again.

There is a distinct lack of action, and what's there doesn't exactly set the pulse racing. Those in search of this month's budget bargains should cast their eyes elsewhere.

The idea of insect invaders makes a change from the usual aliens, but an intriguing idea is hardly enough to ensure a good game. The vast majority of possibilities thrown up by this concept remain untouched, and the bland graphics and complete lack of action conspire to make Amaurote very dull.

The music is nice and atmospheric, but it would take more than a deent soundtrack to bring this into the realms of a reasonable budget purchase. Leave this well alone.

The flashy packaging, graphics and sound effects may lead you to believe that this is good, but don't be fooled. Beneath the glossy exterior is a bug-ridden core.

The guidance system is pathetic and constantly pointed to non-existent insects outside the playing area. Sometimes the program even crashed! The basis for a good game is there, but the bugs serve to render it unplayable.

Presentation 56%
Good instructions, options and on-screen information are spoiled by a bug-ridden program.

Graphics 54%
Unusual... but nevertheless bland, plain uninteresting.

Sound 80%
At atmospheric soundtrack and good spot effects.

Hookability 65%
The simple control method allows easy starting on cold mornings.

Lastability 29%
Boring gameplay and the bugged direction finder will dissuade most people from every completing the game.

Overall 39%
A poor implementation of an unusual idea.