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Oh dear, I thought, as I sat down to play Future Knight. This looks like a glossy platforms and ladders game to me. Stifling a yawn, I got stuck in and suddenly found myself quite enjoying the game - despite the fact that I'd seen/played squillions of similar offerings in the past.

But this one is well presented, has got some interesting puzzles, nice graphics, an opening tune which is pretty amazing for the Spectrum, and it's playable as well. A quality product - as you'd expect from Gremlin.

You take on the role of Randolf, the hero, who is on a rescue mission to save his Sweetheart Princess Amelia captured by aliens on a planet in the Zragg system. There are 20 different levels connected by doors which require a pass to get through. Each level is packed with nasties which reappear even if you kill them off. There are also giant droid thingies which need mucho blasting to get rid of.

You'll discover lots of other useful items, like "smart bombs" which wipe out everything in sight, confusers which, when activated, confuse aliens for a short time allowing you to do whatever you want unhindered. Randolf also comes across spells which allow him to build useful bridges, unlock exits and finally free the princess. There are all sorts of keys to be collected too and a sceptre which kills off a very large semi-indestructible droid.

Our hero can pick up a selection of ammo for his all-purpose alien-blaster - the fireball ammo is the best for all eventualities - the other stuff being a bit puny.

The bomb is a useful gizmo - not only does it kill all aliens on screen instantly in a blaze of flashing pixels but it also restores your energy to 999. Energy is the thing you're going to need most of in this game.

The princess can always be found in the second dungeon area - but it's no good finding your way there and finding you've left the all important release spell behind.

You begin the game with three lives and a weedy weapon. So it's best to explore until you find an ammo dispenser which gives you a better one. But don't move back in front of it after you've claimed some decent firepower otherwise you'll lose it again. And don't move out of a level until you've explored it thoroughly. You might just miss something important.

Future Knight isn't terribly original - but it is very well put together. Like Jack the Nipper, it's a map makers delight and pretty good value.