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If you're the kind of ignorant individual who thinks that rock-climbing is walking up the stairs to a sweet shop in Brighton, you're in for a bit of a surprise. Final Assault has you going on training sessions and choosing courses before you've had a chance to say 'a quarter of smarties' please, missus.

Whichever of the two totally different surfaces (ice or rock) you're on, it helps if you've packed your rucksack - because if you're stranded on a rock face without your thermos you... well... you won't be able to have any tea and if you don't get any tea you die of thirst and fall off.

Nasty, that.

Aargh! Talk about tedious! Only a few minutes into trying to fathom the mysteries of Final Assault I was beginning to fall asleep.

Standing on same rock ledge for half an hour with no sign of as much activity as you'd find in a goldfish bowl [Oi! - Ken] is not my idea of fun at all.

Even in the training section you make such slow progress that any initial interest quickly turns into a manic desire to switch off your monitor and go and do something a lot less boring instead.

Biting your nails for example. Maybe rock climbing fanatics might find a bit more to admire but I have my doubts. Serious doubts.

There are lots of things which don't really work as the subject of a computer game - you know, walking the dog, watching paint dry, that sort of thing - and rock climbing, is another one.

Final Assault lets you experience all the planning, preparation and strategy of a climb without any of the nerve-wracking atmosphere, danger or exhilaration.

In fact, the whole progress is thoroughly boring. There's nothing wrong with the execution as such, I just don't think that anyone would be happy looking at exactly the same screen for two hours at a stretch. I certainly wasn't.

Presentation 75%
Three possible courses, training option and slightly awkward icon system.

Graphics 49%
Mostly functional with few details.

Sound 55%
Tuneful title theme, basic in-game effects.

Hookability 40%
Unhelpful instructions and overly difficult training option don't encourage play.

Lastability 37%
Might be rewarding if you really persevere but it's doubtful that anyone will last that long.

Overall 41%
A competent, but very tedious, version of a sport that doesn't really work as a sim.