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This is the game I've been waiting for ever since I saw the 3D laser game played by Chewbacca and R2D2 in Star Wars! Of course it isn't 3D laser, and who knows what the name or rules of the film game was, but this is what I imagined it to be like.

Essentially you have two forces, either human or computer-controlled, black and white, lined up against each other on a chess-style board of 9 x 9 squares. Some of these squares change colour as the game progresses and the closer it is to your colour the more power you get from it. Five squares have flashing power points. Each member of each force has their own strengths, weaknesses and movement allowance and you attack an opponent by moving onto their square.

Once you move onto an enemy square the game changes to a simple dodge and fire arcade sequence. Although the outcome is likely to be in favour of the most powerful piece there is always an outside chance of pulling off an upset. Strategy is an important factor in this game and the aim is to capture or control all the power squares.

The graphics are a little indistinct and the manual is not as simple as it could have been, but it is worth persevering with the manual, and you soon get used to the graphics.

Archon is a game that takes a while to grasp but which will be played long after most others will have been forgotten.