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Ever since the Wally series, Mikro-Gen has had a reputation for excellent games graphics. The run continues with this cleverly titled game. Anyone who's seen Equinox will recognise the excellent use of colour and impressive character design that features again here.

The game itself is much different. It stars a Kreezer called Hickey who looks and moves just like the Slinky toy that was popular some time ago - that spring thing that somersaults down the stairs.

The Kreezer has just escaped from captivity. You have to guide him through a hazardous and icy cave system to release five other Kreezers and get out of the caverns. He moves by flipping end-over-end so that when stationary he either points straight up or is curved over in an upside-down 'U' shape. He can also jump upwards and move through the air while drifting back to the floor.

You encounter many hazards in the caves. Some you can shoot if you can find some ammunition. The bullets go straight up when you're vertical and horizontally when you're in the middle of a 'step'. Other creatures just have to be avoided, while some appear to be there just for decoration. If you collide with one of the creatures or fall too far, a life is lost. There are replacements but they aren't easy to get to.

As you travel through the caves you find coloured, diamond-shaped sweets which give you special powers when used. Red ones make you move faster, blue ones let you jump higher and green ones allow you to fall further than normal. These are all essential to the completion of the game. But watch out for when you're given a sweet you don't actually want.

Even with the sweets you need some occasional extra help in the form of spring platforms and mattresses - they give you an extra boost when jumping or a soft landing for a long fall. You're going to need all this help because the creatures present some wicked timing problems that require thought and speed.

Each Kreezer has to be rescued within a time limit before it is eaten. Being gobbled up is curiously called the 'twang'. To release the poor unfortunate you just have to get to the cage where he is held and touch him. Then you can head for the exit door - which leads to the next cave system and more challenges.

The graphics really are superb again with lots of colour, some great characters and humour. The gameplay is great with lots of nasty timing problems and a pleasing variety of obstacles and dangers. The five caves should be enough to test anyone. The only problem will be staying cool while dealing with the deadly opponents.

I hadn't seen Equinox so this came as a pleasant surprise. I love the graphics and that Slinky character. Not only does it look good but it's tough as well. I think it's possibly a bit too tough to start with - you may take some time getting off the first two screens - but once you get into it it's very gripping stuff. Give me a few weeks and I might crack it.

5,000

It's a shame to miss all that colour but everything's visible.

P. Excellent colour graphics.
P. Humorous and well-drawn characters.
P. Tough timing problems everywhere.
P. Good features like sweets and spring platforms.
P. Five tough caves will keep you busy

N. One or two places where you can't do much about quick deaths.