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Alien forces are attacking the galaxy. Human civilisations are in dire need of more fighter pilots, so you volunteer for pilot training. And where do all potential Galactic Fighter Pilots go? Why, Stripworld, of course. Here, titillating Tina reveals her top secret assets... er, I mean here, you will attempt to survive a trip through the 30 sectors of the scrolling, isometric 3D training ground, piloting a Star Fighter and Ground Assault Vehicle on alternate sectors, battling against simulated alien defences.

You start with just one life, although plasma cells can be collected which absorb one hit each. If your ship is destroyed you are sent back to the previous sector, but if you were on level one it's game over.

The 3D scrolling is full of horrible glitches and the colour scheme is bland. Worse still, gameplay is a rip-off of the ancient Zaxxon although nowhere near as addictive.

And how can it be when it's so difficult to actually die? Even when you ship is blown up, all that happens is you're sent back to the previous level. So you can just keep going until you reach a really hard sector when you'll probably end up repeating the same sector umpteen times.

Vortex has produced some good games in the past such as Highway Encounter. But whereas those games contained some fascinating, thought-provoking gameplay, H.A.T.E. substitutes mindless blasting action.

Couple this with appalling dull graphics and yukky scrolling and you have one primitive shoot-'em-up. With its prehistoric presentation and mind-numbing action, H.A.T.E. is simply old HAT.

Presentation 28%
Generally bland.

Graphics 26%
Glitchy 3D scrolling.

Sound 51%
Not as bad as other aspects.

Hookability 35%
Not even initially playable.

Lastability 20%
You won't die, you'll give up.

Overall 24%
You'll H.A.T.E. it!