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Set in the North African Campaign of 1941-2, Desert Rats is a wargame that allows you to try your hand at five different battle scenarios includng El Alamein and the seige of Tobruk or the entire Desert War.

You can choose to play either against the computer or a human opponent and can play either the British or the Axis forces. There are no skill levels as such but you can make life a lot easier for the Axis powers if you decide to do so. The games are played in a series of turns, each one representing a day and the scenarios vary to give you a choice ranging from seven turns to a massive 624. Games can be saved at any time. In order to win, you must achieve certain victory conditions as specified for each scenario.

The screen is divided into four sections. The main one is a scrolling map, the top right displays the date, the one across the bottom identifies the unit in question and the last one gives you the menu allowing you to execute your commands.

Giving commands is simplicity itself. Units are highlighted in turn and your valid choices appear in the menu box. You can summon up a report of that unit's strength, movement allowance, morale, supplies etc. Commands are selected by their initial letter and movement adjusted using the cursor keys. After you have finished your orders, both sides move simultaneously and the results of any combat calculated.

Desert Rats is an extremely well presented wargame. The graphics are large and clear. Command entry is simple and the instruction book is something that other companies would do well to copy. A glossy 32-page booklet gives clear instructions, hints and tips and pictures, maps and background notes on the actual background to the campaign.

If you already enjoy wargames, then Desert Rats is well worth considering. If you are a rank beginner, you may prefer something simpler but if you don't mind suffering a lot of heavy defeats to start with, the game will give you a fascinating insight into the North African campaign.