First, all aliens were unfriendly. HG Wells' War Of The Worlds (an epic struggle between two planets taking place in the Surrey commuter belt) set the tone for ET stories and later pics. Then all aliens were good - Steven Spielberg saw to that. Their jaunts to Earth were apparently just to take flower samples rather than stock up on human flesh.

In Virgin's Ghen War, alien visitors form the basis of a plot linking twenty levels of Mechwarrior-style shootery. The Ghen have arrived seeking the assistance of the human race, and despite their Dr Who-esque appearance, have formed a mutually beneficial relationship with our species.

However, a planetary survey craft has witnessed suspicious behaviour from our extra-terrestrial 'friends' and is plunged into conflict with the entire Ghen nation. Using a mobile attack suit, missions on Mars, our moon and various other non-earth colonies must be completed to alert Earth to the Glen threat.

Programmed originally for Sega of America, Virgin first published the game in Japan, and now here.

Defeat the Ghen over twenty diverse 3D missions.

1. Shooting Reactors: Spinning polygons circle the reactor erections. Take out these Ghen power points.
2. Mining Sabotage: A single explosive from one part of the level will destroy the entire refining operation.
3. Prisoners: Just find the cell and blow it to kingdom come.
4. Nuclear Key: Twenty cubes will create a key for a nuclear device, but one guarded by a huge monster.

Oh dear. More FMV bollocks to move the story along. More 'get your kit and get ready to go to Mars'. More harassed captains, 'urgent incoming messages', crummy special effects and wise-cracking henchmen. Lots more.

Ghen warring entails wandering round inhospitable lunar terrains in your metal spacesuit (which looks a bit like the yellow power loader from Aliens). This has a formidable range of weaponry you're just forced to employ against the Ghen, who possess an impressive fleet of space vehicles themselves. The twenty missions often involve more than just fighting - you'll have to collect 'energy cubes' and destroy forcefield reactors.

The fact you can jump in Ghen War makes it less Doom and more Gun Griffon (import game reviewed a couple of months back). However, most levels take place in an enclosed maze-like series of corridors.

The later stages are actually set in a "Doom-style" complex with doors and lifts, reducing the scope for high altitude antics.

Someone clearly sat down with one of those 3D game engines (you know, the ones that assemble the horizon line about two feet in front of you with those blocky polygons - see Black Fire and StarFighter 3000 for further illustration) and dreamed up an alien invasion plot. Then they went out and shot the obligatory dire FMV stuff. And designed some interesting levels. And then they forgot about the most important bit - the gameplay. This is pretty, but there's just not enough going on.

The first time I played this game (Sega were hawking it around a few months back), I thought "Hmmmm, they should release it". 'They' has become Virgin and, rather unfairly, I've changed my mind.

It's not that Ghen War is particularly poor; the polygon graphics are reasonable and move smoothly. Some of the enemies are well designed and someone has at least tried to be imaginative when it comes to level design.

It's just the whole thing lacks any verve, excitement, sparkle, whatever. I'm not slagging off someone's hard work, but I haven't noticed anyone sitting down to play Ghen War out of anything but pure duty.

For Saturn owners who have a history of playing similar-looking PC games like Mechwarrior (and enjoying them) might want to look at Ghen War.

Graphics 76%
P. Crisp polygons, particularly the enemies and power-ups.
N. Everything is so dark, depressing and fades out to quickly.

Animation 73%
P. Background movement is smooth, the enemy animation is slick.
N. The progressive shading of scenery polygons is clumsy and noticeable.

Music 59%
P. Ambient... ambient... ambient.

Effects 64%
N. Crashes, bangs and wallops that have no particular originality.

Playability 72%
P. A fair amount of novelty value and interest at how the game develops.
N. Slow-moving and repetitive at heart.

Lastability 69%
P. Lots more missions...
N. ...than you'd actually really want to play. But the game develops a bit.

Overall 71%
Ghen War is a bit like a night in front of the telly. Therefore, best enjoyed with a tube of Pringles.