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The Ultra War has dragged on to the point where the North and South forces face stalemate - mass attacks result only in mass slaughter. Into this standoff situation come the Mauler supertanks, designed to penetrate behind enemy lines, wreak havoc and put an end to the conflict. The Maulers are solo killers, operating completely on their own after being dropped by Stealth Heli-Carriers.

The Amiga battle has been reduced to seven missions for the C64 (plus a final secret mission when you complete all the others), but given that the enemy forces have now been substantially upgraded in toughness, the overall campaign remains considerable. You can attempt the seven main missions in any order and can run through the briefings before selecting there's a reconnaissance picture of the battlezone (complete with drop-off/pick-up points) as well as an awesome display of the Mauler weapons available.

Choosing which weapons to use is absolutely critical and there's a superb arming screen where the various systems are shown rotating in glorious solid 3D. The most important is undoubtedly the Pulveriser cannon but there's a whole host of radar and IR missiles to choose from, alongside the more specialised weapons such as SLAM anti-missile laser, Phantasm Chaff Dispenser, wire-guided missiles and a heavy duty Mortar.

The only omissions from the 16-bit version are the Sleeper Time Bomb and the Skeet, both deemed as 'toys' by the programmer, serving no effective value in the game. However, perhaps because there's less missions, all the weapons are available right from the start and don't need to be earned - Amiga-style.

Once you're loaded up, the mission proper begins. Control is very much of the Battlezone type, the joystick being used to control the Mauler's direction - but at the press of the GS joystick's second fire button (or simply the space bar) an arrow pointer appears allowing you to activate the tank's systems and weapons Night-sights, binoculars and a rear-view camera are available, depending on the mission, and by clicking on the four weapon pods you can swap firepower.

If need be, you can call up (via the GS fire button or the C64's function keys) the battlezone map, damage screen and the special binoculars view which also offers a superb missile-eye view - good on the Amiga stunning on the C64!

Oh, by the way, while you're fiddling around with the systems and game features, your tank is merrily trundling headlong into danger so it's lucky for you that the system is quick and very easy to operate and with the functin keys it's even quicker. As in the Amiga version, it's all very user-friendly, well thought out and instantly accessible and, to be really helpful, there's a radar screen showing the local area threats and a Homing Scanner to show you the route to your target. So now there's no excuse for you to take on the entire Southern force!

C64 restrictions mean the polygon graphics aren't too sophisticated but that doesn't mean there aren't some great graphics in there. The airfield with the jets by the runway, the missile launchers and bridges are all worth a look, but just be prepared to see a good few square buildings on your travels!

So what do you actually get for 128K? Well, it was disappointing to find out that there's only eight missions in the C64 version and that the tanks aren't so clever or numerous in types (the spotter planes are still in there if it's any consolation) but one thing it's got going for it is that it's fast, the playability harking back to the joyous days of Battlezone but this time the action has a purpose! It's good then to see that the mission variety puts all manner of skills and weaponry to the test: the Hostage mission requries stealthy tactics, the Missile Battery is a race against time where Dragonfly Guided Missiles come in handy, and not forgetting the all-out blast of the final, secret mission.

Great stuff, and a great price too!

It's taken a long time, but at last we've got a C64 cart which actually exploits the technology for something more ambitious than faster loading.

According to Ocean the game is continually pulling code off the cart, but there are no pauses - except when it's a massive block, such as a map screen.

Battle Command shows how carts can dramatically improve C64 performance and the blindingly fast 3D is as impressive as any we've seen. But what about Battle the game? Well, as with the original, it's tough and although the menus work brilliantly, it still takes some getting used to.

Although you can get into the action as soon as you load the game, dying comes all too easily until you stop to work out how things are working: which weapons and defences to use, what approach to the target is best. Once this is done, you can really get to grips with this stunning program.

Tank encounters can admittedly resemble Battlezone more than anything else - lots of fast rotation searching for lock-on - but the range of weapons, especially the superb missile-eye view option, more than compensate. Then there's the various enemy installations to find, helicopters to shoot down and night fights to survive.

Eight missions aren't a huge amount, but at £15 this is unmissable and I wait in expectation for more games like it.

Presentation 92%
Impressive graphically and in variety, superb arming up screen together with Password system for restoring game position. All screens are easy to activate and use. Great cockpit display.

Graphics 89%
Surprisingly fast-moving mix of vector and solid polygon graphics with some remarkably detailed objects to be seen. Excellent missile-eye sequence.

Sound 67%
Great title tune but let down by limited in-game spot effects.

Hookability 90%
The surface appeal of Battlezone draws you in, but it offers much, much more.

Lastability 88%
Only seven levels but the variety of mission demands will keep you at it and then there's Mission 8 to tackle after all of the others.

Overall 90%
Technically stunning, extremely playable heavy metal arcade action!