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Industrial Pirates have invaded the eight worlds of the asteroid belt and declared independence. This hasn't gone down too well back on Earth, and the Government have decided to send a task force out to destroy the Pirate's base in an attempt to restore order. The task force, codenamed Firetrack, consists of a fleet of three ships, piloted by the greatest space fighter known to man... you!

The objective is to fly over eight vertically scrolling worlds, destroying as many ground features as possible en route. A giant nuclear power generator is situated at the end of each world - when its two main cooling towers are destroyed the world is plunged into darkness. This gives the pilot the chance to make a second straffing run over the world, before the pirates have a chance to rebuild.

Installations litter each landscape and points are awarded for destroying them. Some installations are marked with an 'x' or '+' - destroying these accumulates a bonus, awarded after the generator has been shut down.

To progress from world to world, a hazardous flght across Commspace must be undertaken. Successfully crossing the void restores the Firetrack fleet to its full complement of three.

The journey across each world is made harder by the hundreds of anti-Firetrack pirate craft that swarm over the landscape. They attack with fervour, either kamikaze style, or by unleashing missiles in your general direction. Contact with a ship or one of their missiles results in instant destruction.

When all Firetrack craft have been destroyed the player has the opportunity to continue another game from where Commspace was last crossed or, if so desired, a mission can be completely restarted with an attack on the first world.

Firetrack is odd. It just doesn't look like a Commodore game, and more often than not it doesn't behave like other shoot-'em-ups.

The attack waves are initially predictable, but on later levels it's a case of organised disorder - which I found very unnerving at first, but very effective. The collision detection is generous, which makes it all the more playable, and the whole thing is user-friendly - mainly due to the many thoughtful features, such as being able to restart a level if things go drastically wrong.

Firetrack is attractive, immaculately presented, extremely playable and addictive, and a must for anyone who finds shoot-'em-ups a big turn on.

Recently, vertical scrollers have become as common as muck, and in most cases aren't much better. This, however, isn't one of those cases - Firetrack is the latest, more frenetic and playable of them all.

The graphics are very unusual, with some strange colour schemes used on the backdrops, but the overall effect is brilliant - a very convincing and highly individual depiction of the surface of an alien world. What really makes Firetrack so good though, are the great fleets of alien ships swirling and swarming around in a state of organised chaos - you'll be hard pressed to find a more frenzied set of creatures.

Try this out if you want to test your reflexes.

Oh dear, another vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up... but wait - Firetrack is different: it looks different and plays really well.

It's unique in its use of colour and background designs, and can truly be said to be of arcade quality. The sound is a bit poor, but this in no way detracts from the fast and furious action.

There is plenty of scope, including the neat option of being able to continue on from the same point reached on the previous game. Definitely one of the best blasting games for the Commodore.

Presentation 93%
Unusual instructions, a superb set of options, and a neat user friendly game structure.

Graphics 94%
Individual, but extremely playable and very effective.

Sound 72%
An odd soundtrack plays throughout, but there is a useful sound effects only option if it gets on your nerves.

Hookability 92% Instantly rewarding and frenetic shoot-'em-up action.

Lastability 87%
Even the greatest of space pilots will find the eight worlds tough nuts to crack.

Value For Money 85%
Enough action to warrant its price tag.

Overall 88%
Fast, frenetic and extremely playable - easily the best vertically scrolling shoot-'em-up to date.