This is a strategy game for 2-4 players. By wheeling and dealing in the oil business each participant aims to amass a million dollars. The first to succeed wins.

It's unusual to find a strategy game for more than one player, and it's a pity that in this case a one-player option wasn't included.

Other innovations in Gusher include graphic interludes between turns, where you see lorries, tankers, pipelines, etc in operation.

Unfortunately the pace of the game is slowed to an almost unacceptable level by having to watch your transport on the move. It may be interesting the first few times, but after that it becomes a little tedious.

More seriously, the format of the game doesn't allow the players to exercise sufficient control over their operations, denying them the chance to develop a coherent business policy.

Policy options are presented to the player at the computer's discretion rather than the player's. Sometimes the only option presented is to pass your turn, even though you may have plenty of cash to play around with.

In an effort to make the presentation of the game more exciting than other strategy games, the programmer has included flashing borders and screen colour changes. Sadly, there is no use of music.

During the game you will have to cope with such hazards as well-head fires, oil smugglers, pipe fractures and worse. The excitement of these random setbacks doesn't make up for the lack of player involvement.