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It is your responsibility to guide Lester Knight Chaykin safely out of Another World, by solving puzzles and shooting meanies!

Some things have 'don't touch' written all over them. Fire for instance. It doesn't need a genius to realise that there are many more appealing places for one's digits to chance than the heart of a furious blaze. Similarly it is wise to steer clear of certain areas of science. Particle acceleration for example. Something that Lester Knight Chaykin perhaps knew already, but would have appreciated the reminder all the same. Considering his present position that is.

With all due respect to the man, his progress in this particular field was going extremely well. Until the storm. Seconds into a routine system check a wayward bolt of lightning struck the scientist's laboratory, reducing his priceless hardware to a mass of static-infested micro-technology. What had once been a door to the fields of a brighter realm for mankind became a dread portal to a hellish other world. The razor sharp claws of a place no man belongs reached out for Choykin and tore him away from this reality to torment him in another.

Lester, now finding himself trapped in this hostile off-world environment must find his way home somehow. He acquires a useful tool in the form of a gun and is able to make good use of this in the search for escape. Lester also makes the acquaintance of a mysterious friend, a native of this strange world, but a fugitive also. These are the only resources available and Lester most definitely wants to make it back to the other side. Would you be so kind as to help him?

You have to remember that Lester is a scientist. Scientists are intelligent, unlike your average hero. When confronted with a huge, dark, snarling beastie with razor-sharp claws and matching teeth, the common or garden hero would stand and fight. A foolish choice considering the odds.

Not Lester. He has the good sense to turn and run for his life. In fact, Lester's lithe form must be a product of the amount of charging about he undertakes throughout the course of the game. Running away from guards. Fleeing from a frothing wall of freezing water and sprinting to pick up enough speed to successfully traverse dangerous crevices. Linford Christie, who's he?

Obviously Mr Chaykin's unexpected arrival in Another World would be something of a culture shock. It might come as a relief, then, to find that there is help at hand in the form of a friendly, alien-type being.

Without giving too much away, Lester's first encounter with his extra-terrestrial colleague is in a cage, hanging precariously above a pit in a cavernous prison. Together, they make good their escape, but only because of the stranger's familiarity with his surroundings. This means that you have to watch his back as well as Lester's when the action gets hot.

Lester Knight Chaykin has many a gruelling death awaiting his slight self, if the captain of his controls is unfortunate enough to allow it. Water obstacles are often fatal as are the many gaping chasms of stalagmite-related doom.

Lester is also prone to the odd laser blast to the head - but then who isn't? Best of all are the gangs of tentacles that seem to have the franchise for occasional nasties throughout the whole game, they crop up all over the place causing no end of despair to a luckless Lester led astray.

Good timing and knowing when it's a good idea to run are useful means to the ultimate end.

Traversing the various screens isn't just a case of getting from one side to the other. More often than not our indefatigable scientist hero has to initiate some kind of reaction before charging away in the opposite direction, in order to get to where he needs to go. Keep an eye out for anything that looks susceptible to the blast of a laser and make a note of locations in relation to others in order to solve at least one of the many brain teasers.

The gun that Lester discovers is a really neat piece of kit. Not only does it waste anyone and anything you are to aim it at, but it is also capable of creating a protective barrier. Keeping Lester's finger on the trigger charges the gun with a blast powerful enough to break down walls and shatter rock.

Lester needs to make careful use of all these facilities if he is to succeed.

The graphics and animation really have to be seen to be believed here. Fantastic cut scenes and superb attention to detail give this game a real film-like quality.

It's enjoyable too, the atmosphere generated by the stunning visuals being enhanced by simple but effective sound and thoroughly rewarding gameplay. I do have a gripe, though, and that is you occasionally get bogged down in sections of the game where you have to do the same thing over and over again, trying all possible solutions until you stumble upon the right answer.

Once you've done that, there's no real point in going back to it since there is never more than one way of doing things, and it all becomes a matter of strict routine.

Another World is definitely a stunning and highly original product, but it's one that I'd take a look at before buying because while every player will doubtlessly marvel at its fabulous looks, those who like gameplay with plenty of freedom might find the action a little too restricted.

Another World impresses with its radical approach to the video game scene. The opening sequence brough production here to a standstill with its convincing cinematic style and dramatic musical accompaniment. Upon starting the game I found even more reasons to convince me that Another World was not going to be a disappointment.

Although challenging, the task ahead is seldom frustrating (Well, I ended up going "Aaargh" quite a lot, but more at myself than at the actual game!). Though being returned to the beginning of a section at every mistake is a bit of a headache.

Most of the situations Lester encounters are taxing to say the least, but always reward patience. It's difficult to compare the game to any others because it is so different to anything seen before. But, as the first of its kind, it's going to be difficult to surpass.

No aspect of the game is overworked. Every section requires thought, and the answers to Lester's problems are invariably the least expected. Of course, all of this would be wasted if it were represented by poor graphics and sound, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

Another World has a very distinctive graphical style that works well with the nature of the game. The animation of the 'cast' is very convincing and it is supported well by the clear sampled sound effects and atmospheric music.

Perhaps the only fault is that Lester's quest is strictly structured and once completed, there is nothing more to see. However, just like a classic film, the game is worth playing through just to appreciate everything over again. Console owners have never had the opportunity to own the likes of this before. Now that they can, they most definitely should.

Presentation 96%
P. The presentation screens are real jaw-droppers. Impressive, effectively animated and directed too. N. No options to tweak.

Graphics 92%
P. Very stylish and atmospheric. The animation of Lester and his adversaries is believable enough, and the overall cinematic style astounds and amazes.

Sound 90%
P. The soundtracks have been well composed and are impressively rendered, definitely lending a top-notch, cinematic feel to the game.

Playability 92%
P. Lester is easy to control and his quest is very compelling.

N. There is little freedom of choice as to which route Lester must take to achieve his goals.

Lastability 83%
P. Another World is tough, thus takes quite a while to master.

N. Once finished that's it, and there's little compulsion to go back and play it some more.

Overall 87%
A breath of fresh air in an often all-too-predictable market that should appeal to everyone.

Definitely check it out - it really is one of those games that must be seen!