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Psygnosis was the first company to enter the ST games arena with Baraticcus, an arcade adventure which never quite made the grade. At last year's PCW Show they launched two new ST games entitled Deep Space and Arena.

Deep Space is described as the ultimate interstellar war game harnessing the raw power of the 68000 processor to bring unique 3D solid graphics to the microcomputer.

Although featuring some excellent solid enemy spaceship graphics and a well designed cockpit interior, Deep Space just seems to be a little lacking in the game depth department.

Having said that, it may will be one of those games that rewards those prepared to persevere, but after the initial high of the graphics there is perhaps not enough to entice you back for just one more go.

Arena is a six event sports simulation for up to four players. The game features large, well designed sprites moving smoothly over a number of detailed sports stadium backdrops which contain neat little touches like other athletes warming up on the opposite side of the track.

Another nice thing about Arena is the size of the main sprite, a full 56 x 80 pixels giving him a height of about 3.5 inches in his spikes on an average size TV. The graphic design of the athlete is also very realistic, even filmlike.

The six events are the 100 meters, the pole vault, high jump, long jump, shot-put and javelin. All the events require the rapid pressing of the "energy keys" - the 68000 equivalent to joystick wiggling - to give the athlete more speed or to make the javelin fly further, etc. It is annoying that there is not a joystick option as the Atari keyboard sounds and feels a little fragile when pressed this vigorously.

Arena could have marked a notable step forward in the progression of the multi-event sports simulation that began three years ago with Epyx's Summer Games. However, a number of needless or thoughtless "features" and even the odd bug detract from the fun and can become quite a frustration.

One of the most annoying "features" in Arena is the speech bubbles which appear at pertinent moments during each event. Quips and comments made by both athletes and judges quickly become boring and repetitive and do not enhance the game.

At the very least, you should have been given the option to gag all concerned!

The events themselves are played in a similar way to other games of this type which require fast and/or co-ordinated button pressing and a good sense of timing. In all the events except the shot the athlete moves to the right through a number of static screens until reaching the throw or jump mark, where you must press the 'jump' key at the right time.

This done, you can normally influence your athlete's performance by further button pressing.

Apart from the 100 metres, you are allowed six attempts at each discipline you attempt, although three failures at the same height will end the high jump and pole vault.

There are also a number of 'interesting' situations you can get into whilst playing certain events. For example, in the high jump, if you take off too late you will hit the far upright and stop, suspended in mid-air!

On graphics and packaging both Arena and Deep Space score well, but unfortunately, both have end up more like flawed masterpieces instead of the genuine article. This is a pity considering the obvious graphical talent on show and the huge investment in time and resources Psygnosis have made in producing 68000 only product... a brave but risky policy while this market is still in its infancy.