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Well, all I can say is, I'll be glad to be dead. The future, rather than being orange, is rather grey. Or so it appears to John Spartan, a policeman from the 20th century, whose idea of "community relations" is a long-handed baton and a milking stool. Since the late 20th century, John has been filed "on ice", somewhere between Walt Disney and Michael Jackson.

In 2032 the times are quiet. Fighting of any sort is banned and even Los Angeles is about as racey as a weekend in April in Hemel Hempstead. "Sex appeal" means looking like one of the Nolan sisters, in fact, people don't even bother to "do it" any more. Computers are considered more of a turn-on. But into this complacent new world comes one bad mutha from the past with a bleach blonde flattop and a taste for mayhem. As he begins his rampage, the city authorities defrost Spartan, whose expertise in nasty tactics has been kept as an insurance policy for just this kind of occurrence. His new bosses' orders are simple: seek and destroy.

There is another side to the futuristic 'paradise' that is not so pleasant. A tribe of impoverished and disillusioned proles live in a fetid alternative culture underground. Initially, you enter this sewer domain seeing them as a threat, but they have their own case against injustice.

In addition to the Judge Dreddy, Earthworm Jimmy platform bits, Demolition Man has top-viewed sections with their own set of controls and gameplay. The first of these takes place in the city's prestigious museum, where some egg-head tourists are being held hostage by the baddies. Take delight in peppering the artworks with bullets, in a bid to find some power-ups.

The city's transport network has come under attack, forcing you to take the unwise measure of running along the tops of monorail carriages. While travellers wait for the 'security alert' to pass, you get to scour the passenger and power cars for armed ne'er-do'wells.

Blast everything that moves in a bid to return 'tranquillity' to the 21st century.

Hope of ever seeing this on the shelves had all but vanished, such was the deafening silence from Virgin, who originally held the game rights. So it's a surprise, and a pleasant one, for Acclaim to come up with it now.

Don't expect originality, even the game engine looks pretty close to Robocop Vs. The Terminator. Instead, enjoy loads of well-paced action, good graphics, little touches like the neon signs being shot through, and heaps of playability. I think this hits nearer the mark than Judge Dredd, which is an irony, considering where Acclaim's sights are set on a summer blockbuster.

With any justice, Demolition Man will turn out to be a sleeper hit for them.

Although a bit dated in the visual department, Demolition Man is a very playable blaster. I liked the varying styles in the game environments, from overhead Smash TV to side-on Robocop Vs. The Terminator. On top of this, add the neat touches, like the fact you can shoot while walking backwards, and you have a sturdy title worthy of most Megadrive owners. It's just a bit of a shame that the subject matter and plotline are out of date.

Graphics 84%
P. Atmospheric, with silhouettes and light flashes, and good sprites.
N. Too dark in places.

Music 83%
P. Generally of a high standard throughout the levels.
N. Not sufficiently original to stand out.

Effects 82%
P. Nice samples - 'Send a maniac' to get him. Death gurgles on every platform level.

Lastability 82%
P. The bosses will fox you, and the continues are controlled. The interest level stays pretty high.

Overall 85%
It's a fine shoot-'em-up, more than able to lord it up there with Dredd. A game that gamers will enjoy.