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Hopeless! What a name for a game. It's almost like trying to stop a game selling before it hits the streets.

Still, back to the plot! Hopeless is a game about Al Bluntz and his battle against the Manic Monk.

The Manic Monk has kidnapped Al's girlfriend. Being a hero, Al sets of to rescue her and destroy the Monk. Good for him!

The Monk has transported the captive and himself to a far away solar system. So Al grabs the nearest space shuttle and heads for the stars. On reaching the Monk's lair he discovers that he has set up a defence system which consists of hearts!

Yes, computer controlled hearts are all that stand between you and the lovely Jane. Oh, I forgot to mention that there are also at least ten or 11 different nasties all after your hide as well. Nice to know you're wanted!

Al has some of the most modern equipment to enable him fight his way to the heart of the system.

In his kit he has a laser. Pretty obvious what that does. A defence shield. This produces a wall of energy around Al destroying anything that comes in contact with him. You can't move when this is active.

And also a jetpack. This gadget allows you to fly around the screen instead of walking.

On top of all this lot, you can resort to the good ol’ karate chop and kung fu kick - is as good as any laser. Just ask Chuck Norris. Besides that, all the gadgets use up energy which, as any gamester will know, is extremely rare these days.

You walk around the screens - about 200 in all which scroll smoothly. The screens are full of ladders, nasties and terminals.

Terminals can do different things, from teleportation to giving extra power to your weapons.

Your character is small, animation is crude and general effects are boring. Still, graphics aren't everything. Are they?

This game is - no, I'm not going to be cheap and say ‘Hopeless’ - fairly standard and is nothing to get excited about. But, for all you heroes out there, Jane needs to be rescued. Quick!