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As you step into the MGT prototype you are painfully aware that the Magnettle, as it is affectionately known to the Corporation, has not been tested in a full assignment. Nevertheless the Crystal Palace is all frozen due to the untimely shutdown of the support system and you've been given the honour of finding out what's gone wrong and returning things to normal.

And so, as the Corps motto "Finish the job or we'll break your neck," is still ringing in your ears, you set off on your most dangerous mission to date, deep inside the Palace.

The Crystal Palace is a mazelike structure full of ice walkways and doors, some of which are guarded by lasers which can be disabled by finding a key with the same symbol as that above the door in question. Lift pads lie scattered about the palace and can be used to propel Magnettle to sufficient height to allow access to raised entrance points.

Yet other rooms are guarded by vertical pillars of pure energy that drift back and forth like a pyrotechnic watchdog.

Elsewhere droids and many other sundry hazards lie in wait for the careless player. Iceblocks that slowly rise into the air when shot at and then, just when you're underneath they come crashing down splintering you into a thousand pieces. Floors that seem harmless enough until you try landing on them - the last landing you'll ever do! There's even an invisible maze in one room.

Keys can be obtained by shooting at them with Magnettle's laser. They will then disappear off the wall and are absorbed for later use. Control is with joystick or keyboard and may take a few minutes to get used to as moving the stick in a certain direction will make the MGT face that way but will also make it move in that direction if you keep holding. The Fire button, too, has a dual purpose as it is used to fire the laser and to raise the Magnettle when resting on a lift pad.

The action is viewed from an isometric angle and the graphics are very well designed bringing a frosty metallic look to the proceedings very much in keeping with the game scenario. The main Magnettle sprite is large and well animated as it turns to face each new direction. Particularly realistic is its movement which continues in one direction even while you're now trying to move in another. The net effect is one of driving on ice as you skid around the place trying not to slip off walkways or into danger.

MGT is yet another very playable, well designed, and graphically pleasing isometric arcade adventure from the Loriciel stable that is gaining a growing reputation for turning out quality games, especially for the Amstrad.