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Since Quicksilva were bought by Argus Press Software, the computer world has been astounded at how one of the leading software houses in the world was reduced to a mere label for very second rate software with nothing of any great importance coming out for years. Now, in one fell swoop, Quicksilva have regained a measure of their former greatness with an exceptional game, both in conception and execution.

Glider Rider pits you against an enemy fortress, your only transport a motorised bicycle and a collapsible hang glider! Luckily there is space in your hang-glider to carry nine hand grenades with which to do your deadly work.

The game has a 3D display with all the installations, scenery, sea and other assorted paraphernalia displayed on it. The scene shifts as you approach one side of the screen, which is a bit disconcerting, but you can't get smooth scrolling on a Spectrum if you want any kind of quality in the graphics. Your little man has his moped which can move around the screen, but not through the usual impassable objects, such as trees, bushes, fences, and the like. Conversion to the hang-glider mode is achieved by running down a hill and then back pedalling, it's then a good idea to try and gain some height before you crash into a tree! It is in this mode that you drop the hand grenades.

The object of the game is to destroy the external power reactors in order to gain access to the main fortress - an imposing building with a high fence around it and heavily laser defended. The trick is to cycle into a nearby electricity pylon which will make the laser go momentarily crazy, you should now convert to the glider mode or operations, fly over the reactor, and then bomb it. The reactors look like spheres, but very satisfyingly end up looking like cracked eggs when destroyed!

Once all the reactors are destroyed, you gain entrance to the fortress, and the game suggests that you turn into a microlite by combining the bicycle's motor with the hang-glider, but not having got this far I don't know.

One interesting aspect of the game is its ability to detect whether it is running on a 48K or 128K ZX Spectrum. If it finds that it is in a 128K machine, it will carry on loading a special file after the main program. This includes all the extra code for the extended version of the game. This features better sound and a background soundtrack, as well as sarcastic/useful messages that pop up in the middle of the screen. This system seems much better than the usual 48K on one side and 128K on the other or even two separate tapes with a higher cost for the 128K version.

Overall, this is an extremely challenging game, with the emphasis more on the tactical side of play rather than any other form of game genre. The game is fun to play and very puzzling, and should provide a difficult game for even the most experienced Gamer reader.

Welcome back, Quicksilva!