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Cuthbert's back, or rather gone. Three different screens show gravity-defying platforms which support fuel pods on some far-off planet. Microdeal's harassed hero must leave the mothership which is at the bottom of the screen, collect a pod and return. Objects which hurtle across the screen are out to stop him but Cuthbert's flitter, used for his excursions, can spit destruction at them.

Control is via joystick or arrow keys plus spacebar and response is excellent... and it needs to be. Getting those pods whilst dodging and firing continuously is a hectic task. Success in retrieving all 15 pods is rewarded by a shower of objects from the top of the screen which you can collect while still contending with the horizontal horrors. Your destruction or a swift retreat to safety means you are presented with another screen of fuel pods to collect.

Sometimes your game is interrupted by a tedious event whereby you use the controls to manipulate figures... sorry, co-ordinates, to simulate collecting spare parts to mend your damaged ship.

There is a game pause feature and a high score table. Unfortunately, all the high score positions are preset at 5,000. This is difficult to achieve and so the table often remains unused. Silly Microdeal. In fact, this game is difficult, frustrating... and great fun. Animation is smooth and the hum as the bay doors open to reveal Cuthbert's flitter is just right.