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The BBC computer seemed to me to be going through a very bad patch over the last few months. The flow of games had been reduced to a trickle of mediocre software, with most companies directing their efforts towards producing Spectrum and C64 products.

Although the trend for further reductions in releases for the BBC doesn't look likely to be reversed there are a few exceptional games for the computer - if you look hard enough.

Fortress is definitely one game that earns that distinction. Even though it's not an original idea, it more than equals the original version of Zaxxon.

Anyone who has seen the arcade game will know that any game that even comes close to capturing the addictive quality and stunning graphics on a home computer is quite a feat. All the game's original features are there and the sound effects, generally very poor in BBC software, are reproduced faithfully, which is very impressive.

I have only two small criticisms to make of the game. First, it is a little difficult to control using the keyboard, but I suppose it's only the be expected with a game of this type. Second, the fuel supply runs out far too quickly and you ditch into the sea all too often without noticing that your 30 seconds of fuel have disappeared which interrupts the action somewhat.

Apart from these two points, the game is certainly streets ahead of most BBC shoot-'em-ups and deserves a place in any self-respecting software collection.