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Tired of shoot-'em-ups? Then try this original offering from Beau-Jolly - the first club-'em-down!

You control B. C. Bill, an endearing little caveman, all hair and nose, in his attempts to start a dynasty.

Firstly he needs some wives. These are acquired by romantically knocking to the ground any innocent female unfortunate enough to wander on-screen. Back at the cave they start producing children at an alarming rate, and as the seasons quickly pass Bill desperately struggles to feed them.

All manner of strange creatures inhabit the area (one looks disconcertingly like a hamburger on legs!) and can be clubbed for food. However you are in competition with marauding dinosaurs, who are also partial to a little caveman!

In all this mayhem you must keep your family from starving for as long as possible, receiving bonus points for any child reaching maturity.

The background screen is nicely drawn with the cave in a corner and smouldering volcanoes in the distance.

All the characters move smoothly and are very well animated - Bill's clubbing motion is incredibly realistic. Sound too is impressive, far removed from the Spectrum's normal plaintive beepings, with some excellent tunes being played.

Control is no problem either. A wide choice of joysticks or sensibly placed control keys is offered.

However, I do have one major reservation in recommending this game.

There is only one screen with a limited variety of action and its long lasting appeal is doubtful.

Still, B. C. Bill is a nicely presented, programmed, and packaged game worth looking at.

I like the title screen, but the rest of the graphics weren't too appealing. Trying to get the perspective is hard. It's also difficult to control the caveman. But it's a nice, original concept and could have been a very good game.

I really liked the intro music - very impressive for a Spectrum. But control of Bill is extremely tricky. I also have serious doubts about the lasting interest. There's quite a lot to do, but it all happens on a single screen.

As for the morals of the game, they're disgraceful. You go round clubbing women over the head, and then drag them off to your cave, knowing that it's only a matter of time before they starve. Might appeal to a simple-minded male chauvinist pig.

No comment.

I just didn't find it especially appealing or addictive. Strangey the twelve-year-old sister of a friend of mine loved it, and cleared seven or eight levels.