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In this conversion of the big Sega arcade game, the player has the job of flying five missions over four different alien planets and through one level of enemy-infested space, with the sole objective of destroying the controlling computer nerve centre on each one.

Starting with 1,200 units of fuel which count down throughout the mission, extra energy is given at strategic points on during each level, as well as from your mothership which waits for you at the end of each level. The battle is depicted in second-person perspective 3D, each level becoming more difficult than the last.

Galaxy Force II in the arcades is a fun, challenging blast through space, with impressive graphics and sound effects. And while the presentation of the original has transferred surprisingly well to the ST, the home computer version is too simple to warrant long-term play. Although the space section is a bit on the naff side, with no real feeling of movement due to the lack of a rolling starscape, once you hit the caverns your monitor screen comes alive with some of the most effective 3D seen in an ST shoot-'em-up. Sprites are detailed and move around the screen well enough, and sound, although produced by the ST's own squawk-box sound-chip, lends atmosphere to the game.

However, it took us about an hour to complete the game - the trick to completion is simply to blast loads of baddies in order to rack up a huge energy level, after which you can't fail to progress to the later stages. And once you've completed it, the game soon loses its appeal.

Although the graphics and 3D routines are excellent, the gameplay severely lacks challenge and it's very easy to go all the way through the game in one sitting.