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It's been a long time arriving but was it worth the wait?

This program is unusual in its creation, not just a simple matter of licensing the name but an actual joint venture between all interested parties. The end result shows what this kind of cooperation can produce - it's brilliant!

The concept bears a vague resemblance to Deus Ex Machina but the implementation is totally unique. You control, via the keyboard or joystick, a large, well-animated human figure and move from screen to screen through entrances and exits. Whilst in a location you can raise your arm to waist or head height to touch and examine objects. If you touch something, a 'window' opens on the screen which gives you information about what you are touching, what is there and/or how many pleasure points you gain and your percentage 'real person' score. The various parts that make this up are shown graphically at the bottom right of the screen.

When the window is open, and if there are objects there, a moveable hand points to them and, by pressing Fire, they can be taken. To use carried objects, you have access to your inventory window at any time, and can use the hand to select the object and use it by pressing Fire. Icon graphics are used very successfully for this section.

Built into the program are several arcade style sections, and there are over 60 problems to solve, including a whodunnit murder mystery, raid over Merseyside and shooting gallery sequence. The packaging is excellent and the game itself is easy to get started and is probably the most addictive that I've ever played.

We have decided that we are going to extend our rating system with a special six star award for programs which we consider to be state of the art in one way or another. Frankie gets it! (And so should you!)