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It's been a long, long wait. But it's been worth it! The conversion of Vortex's classic Highway Encounter for the C64 looks good and plays even better.

In case you didn't see the Amstrad/Spectrum original here's a brief rundown of the plot.

Aliens have invaded earth. There's only one road left to travel, before they reach their final goal - total world domination.

Your mission is to halt their advance and destroy their alien stronghold in Zone Zero.

Under your control are five Vortans. And the Lasertron - the world's most advanced weapon system, which must be takken to Zone Zero to complete your mission.

Your five Vortons are vulnerable to alien attack and can be destroyed in any number of horrible ways. You'll need to work out a strategy to succeed in this highway patrol.

Fortunately for you, C&VG printed a player's guide to Highway Encounter complete with map way back in December '85 - so check out those back issues.

You guide the Vortons - who push the Lasertron in front of them - through the infested Zones of the alien highway.

Each zone has different hazards and obstacles to overcome - and each needs a different strategy.

Some problems demand forward - or is backward? - thinking as you have to bring objects from one zone into another in order to move forward. That's where that player's guide comes in useful!

Each Vorton is equipped with a blaster - but only the lead Vorton is under your control and he's the only one that can blast things and help the others beat the aliens.

You'll need as many Vortons as you can help survive to complete the trip to Zone Zero - but early patrols will see you losing these cute little robots with monotonous regularity.

But unlike some games, the challenge keeps your interest and you won't rest until you've actually seen Zone Zero with your own eyes.

A demo option allows you to see the zones up to the final one without playing - this allows you to work out a strategy because you know what's coming.

Graphics are simple but very effective. And although the game uses a screen flipping technique instead of scrolling, there aren't any horrible waits between screens, as in games like Tarzan for instance.

Sounds are good and as I've already said the game is extremely addictive.

Want to get the new games-playing off to a good start? Then take a trip on the alien highway - you won't regret paying the fare.

And remember you only have to write in and send a pound to get the back issue.