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This is a wargame converted from the Spectrum, which features events leading up to and including the "Bridge Too Far" operation of World War ll. The detailed manual is principally for the Spectrum with marginal notes for the Amstrad version. There are one or two contradictions as a result, and though it's clear that a very real attempt has been made to provide full instructions, I still found them confusing.

The whole operation can be played at one sitting, taking over six hours, or can be split into four lesser parts, and the results saved to tape. The upper section of the screen scrolls over the map, the symbols being much easier to see than on the Spectrum, but some strange choices of colours for the reports area and tiny symbols cause real reading problems. Indeed, if you have a green screen, then many features are invisible.

The objectives for each section are given in the manual, and it's up to you to deploy your troops most effectively. This is done through turns, where you issue orders to each of the symbolised military units. The computer moves them for you, and responds with its own moves. Reports are available on the results of your deployment. Even the shortest scenario takes an hour, but if you like the idea, you'll find it very absorbing.

I'm not a fanatic, but a wargamer friend describes the Spectrum version as brilliant, so with the superior clarity of the Amstrad, you can't go wrong.

D.M.