Macronics were the people who brought moving graphics to the ZX80 so we have come to expect good things from them. This program boasts another first - voice-controlled firing.

The voice command really works very well provided you follow the instructions; in fact, firing occurred if anything was said, even across the room.

You are dreaming of the ants you have destroyed today in the garden, but in your nightmare you are reduced to their size and must fight the battle anew.

Swarms of magenta ants race down the screen. You must dodge around the green obstacles and destroy the ants before they destroy you (you have three lives). If hit, the ants become obstacles themselves.

The game is rapid and staged, and there are some surprises - so watch out!

Sound is reminiscent of bird song, but at least it's not tedious. Use of colour is fair.

Potting ants is not as fun as hitting bigger things, and it may be that the brilliance of this program has been applied to the wrong format. Even so it is well set up and good fun.

P.C.