Inside Frankie

In Frankenstein 2000, a new release from Icon Software, you must guide a miniature submarine through Frankenstein's body.

The screen is split into two sections showing an X-ray of Frankenstein in one half and an enlarged picture of the sub's immediate vicinity in the other.

Your mission starts by navigating down the throat past green infected-looking nasties, though if subtlety's not your forte then you can always pick them off with your laser.

If you collide with the nasties or brush against the wall of the throat, then you become increasingly damaged.

If you accumulate enough damage or breathe all your oxygen, then the game's over, so keep an eye on the instruments.

Luckily, after each stage of your journey, your oxygen is replenished.

Between each stage you are required to shoot down a sphere hurtling towards you before your oxygen runs out.

The next stage is the left lung, where you must avoid cigarette-lighters and plumes of smoke.

After shooting down yet another hurtling sphere, you reach the heart which consists of several chambers connected by opening and closing valves.

This is awkward to negotiate and is made worse by the small quantity of oxygen allowed for it.

I haven't got past this stage, but Frankie's body shows both lungs, stomach, kidnets and intestines, so I imagine that you must negotiate these as well to complete the game.

Your score increases depending on how many stages you complete.

It's great fun as a game because of its easy keyboard controls and the quality of the display.

It's a shame that jerky animation lets it down.

The sound effects are also good, with a background tune playing all the time. Unfortunately, they cannot be turned off if they bother you.

All in all, it's an enjoyable game, but slightly overpriced.

Phil Tudor