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The Austerlitz conflict -took place on December 21805 and is regarded as Napoleon's finest hour. In it the self-proclaimed emperor clashed head on with General Kutusov's combined forces of Austrian and Russian troops.

The day ended well for Napoleon in real life, but things aren't the same in computer terms - with play on either the Russian or French side offered at three levels of difficulty, things don't all have to go Napoleon's way.

Austerlitz bears similarity in operation to previous games CCS (such as Napoleon at War and Wellington). Played via the now standard multi-way smooth scrolling warzone map, orders are handed down to individual infantry, artillery, cavalry and reserves who move in specified form (either Line, Column or Square). This is a realistic and standard method of movement (if a little dated) but much of the game is not that new In Ideas; although the subject matter is more extensive than Wellington.

A handy reorganization option allows units to disband or amalgamate, providing more manouevrabilty or a more powerful force, depending on the situation. In play of course, Austerlitz is all too familiar, although the challenge is a lot stronger than most of Ken Wright's previous games. The game is very generous with combatants (in keeping with the actual battle) and rarely does a turn go by without some form of mass battle taking place.

Wellington was relatively sedate compared with the very bloody Austerlitz and it is in many ways (game tactics in particular) reminiscent in style to Napoleon at War. With so much more happening on the battlefield the basic challenge of 'kill 'em all' is more pronounced and the game is better. The command system, while easy to utilise, is still a little simple considering the real conflict and as such the game's flexibility is limited. A good recreation though of Napoleon's greatest conflict despite the lack of improvement in its execution.

ROBIN HOGG

Just Who Is This Mysterious Robin Hogg Type Person?! A nation wants to know! Robin, or Little Hoggy as he's known in the Towers (and to a select few at US Gold), is one of these bori..er, intelligent type: who can appreciate strategy and simulation software to its best -that's why he reviews them. Robin has had two--two!-years of gruelling experience on TGM and now ZZAP, writing this kinda stuff. He recieves no fan mail. Aw.