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Due to recent intergalactic events the SU Crew will not be able to bring you the advertised review of G- Loc... crackle, buzz... hurrah we're back! After months in outer space we've finally beaten those darn aliens and not a moment too soon!

Ah yes, it's good to be back in the driving seat again (well, pilot's seat since this is G-Loc), and not a moment too soon if the aliens had got their grubby tentacles on this combat sim, then outcome of the fight for SU could have been uncertain.

G-LOC is a combat simulation as opposed to a flight simulation which is disappointing as the name of the game led me to believe that flying this plane would be more difficult than chasing a ferret in a coalmine. It isn't. What is difficult is actually staying in the air during dogfights whilst in ground attack missions the enemy support ships fire everything but their kitchen sinks at you, (claws in you cats!)

Flying a carrier-borne aircraft called the R360, a type of hybrid made from the best bits of an F14, an F15 and the water pump from a Zanussi Turbo Washer, you must complete a series of air to air to ground combat missions (and collecting your dry washing in the process).

Increasing amounts of aircraft must be blasted out of the sky before tackling escort ships in a fjord (Yes, shoot that Fjord Escort with your designer cannon and Habitat homing missiles.)

The main screen shows the plane's cockpit controls, which are uncluttered and easy to make out and include a damage indicator, radar screen and fuel and afterburner gauges. There is also a fully equipped head up display unit with a locking target indicator, full gas central heating and double glazing. The perfect home for any fully trained air combat psycho.

Apart from the target indicator and a flashing missile "locked on" message the most valuable moving display is the radar screen. This warns you of the number of enemies approaching and from what direction they are coming. If they're on your tail it's very advisable to take evasive action other wise you'll get your botty shot off!

There are three difficulty levels, easy, medium or hard, I started at medium and found it steady going but beware of the hard option. It really builds up a sweat and takes quite a bit of practice to enjoy.

The graphics are all in mono with the enemy aircraft and missiles being well drawn and, thanks to the omission of colour, the game is consequently very fast and animation is smooth.

Unfortunately it is a bit boring and repetitive at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll end up blasting away for ages as long as you don't get too annoyed by the very basic sound which is slightly less infuriating than a wood termite trying to find its way home after a rave. Just a rather small variety of clicks and buzzes let you know that something exciting is happening.

G-LOC is by no means an exceptional game, it has plenty of action but unfortunately it all looks the same. Nevertheless it has impressive speed and control is easy and precise. Arcade style action which comes very close to the mark but unfortunately just misses it by a whisker.

Label: US Gold Memory: 48K/128K Price: £11.99 Tape, £16.99 Disk Release Date: March April Reviewer: Big Al Dykes

Following in the footsteps of Afterburner, G-LOC is a fast, action packed aerial shoot 'em up with many difficult enemies and situations to overcome. Unfortunately the game lacks real mission variety but does make up for this with some serious arcade speed action. Not my favourite air combat sim but certainly worth a look if you are a die hard fan of this particular game genre.