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After the exhausting task of rescuing his loved one in BC's Quest For Tires, the stone-age cartoon hero Thor is out and about again, this time to find the meaning of life. It is said to be found atop an ancient mountain, the last in a range of five. A network of caves run through the very mountains themselves, and a long and winding track runs around them.

Linking each of the mountains are toll bridges that Thor must cross, getting him a step nearer to his goal. This is where his problems start...

On screen, the mountains are shown one at a time on a small radar in the bottom right. On this radar are shown all cave entrances, a symbol representing Thor, and one of Grog. The part of the mountain Thor is currently on is shown on the top half of the screen in reasonable graphical detail. It scrolls left to right, depending on the direction he's going in. The scrolling is smooth but does get a little jerky at a higher speed.

To cross a toll bridge, Thor must pay the exorbitant sum of 100 clams to a waiting toll-man. Luckily, the mountains have a plentiful supply of clams lying around, and in case you've never seen a clam on a mountain, you should know that these are lesser-spotted craggy peak clams.

The clams are to be found on the tracks running around the mountain or within the caverns. The caves are dark and so a source of light is needed to see the way through. Thor, being way ahead of his time, carries a flashlight with him. Unfortunately, the torch isn't very powerful and only a small amount of the screen is shown under its light. This effect is very realistic and makes the going tough on higher levels.

To pick up a clam, Thor must ride over it on his stone-age unicycle (equipped this time with a tire). Once he has collected 100 or more, he can take them to the toll bridge and move on to the next mountain.

If Thor should have 25 or more clams over the quota, he will buy an extra life - there are five to start.

The levels are lettered A to E, E being the final stage containing the secret of the meaning of life. Should you get that far, you will discover the programmer is something of a cynic. You'll also discover that the only thing left to do is to try again on a harder range of mountains (there are three in all).

Hilarious cartoon fun lies in BC II's cassette box. Brilliant graphics and animation with some of the most hysterical death routines since Cliff Hanger along with fitting sound, will grab you instantly. Lasting appeal like its predecessor is rather dubious, although a greater challenge is presented with this one.

This is the first game where I have laughed every time I died. The marvellous cartoon animation and hilarious adversaries make this thoroughly entertaining. The lastability is the only questionable aspect, but personally I found it tough enough and with more than enough levels to keep me a happy unicyclist. The sound effects add pleasantly to what is an addictive and amusing game.

When you're a stone-age guy riding around a hostile mountainside, it's awfully easy to lose your unicycle. You can:

1. Hit a pothole or a rock. OUCH! 2. Ride too close to the mountain wall. SPLAT! 3. Slip off the edge of the mountain path. AAAAAAAGH! 4. Blunder into a falling stalactite inside one of the dimly lit caves. CRASH! 5. Have your tire gobbled by the massive, green, loathsome Tiredactyl, which inhabits the higher levels. SCRUNCH!

All these deaths are depicted in hilarious cartoon-style. But Thor's main problem is in the form of a sort of time limit. The mighty GROG is pounding his way down the mountainside, collecting clams as he goes, and hungry for revenge.

He is represented as a white diamond on the radar, and you'll soon know if he appears on your level from the ominous tune that echoes forth. Should you ever see Grog's nose appear at the edge of the screen, then you know all is lost. Thor is unceremoniously pulled off-screen and Grog makes a sudden and noisy entrance.

Presentation 70%
Several game options.

Originality 71%
Amusing new scenario on the collect and dodge theme.

Graphics 80%
Cartoon animation is brilliant, but little variety.

Hookability 83%
Wonderful sense of humour keeps you laughing and playing.

Sound 71%
Lots of varied and interesting effects.

Lastability 76%
Picking up clams might lose its appeal. Little more variety needed.

Value For Money 75%
You'll laugh till the clams come home.

Overall 75%