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A former US President has been kidnapped by revolutionaries while visiting the Central African state of Zutula in 'the cause of world peace' (i.e. to negotiate a secret arms deal).

The newly elected President Quayle decides against military intervention - until it's pointed out he's unlikely to be called up! In any case a full-scale assault is rejected due to diplomatic reasons. Instead, the rescue mission will be implemented by an elite corps of mercenaries known as Mercs.

Ex-Green Beret, Joseph Gibson and Mercs founder, Howard Powell (i.e. one or two players) begin their mission on a deserted beach head. However, they are soon spotted by the oddly blonde-haired rebels who swarm onto the overhead-view, multi-directionally scrolling play area.

But who cares, you've got a big machine gun so it seems a shame not to use it. And then there's your limited supply of megabombs which cause a massive mushroom-cloud explosion, killing nearby rebels, but miraculously not affecting you.

Occasionally, you may find an abandoned enemy vehicle (jeep, boatetc) to commandeer, but for the most part you're on foot. Crates can be shot to reveal extra bombs and gun power-ups. These come in very handy at the end of each level where there's a huge enemy vehicle which takes load of hits to destroy.

After blowing up Level 1's end-of-level Harrier, you approach the enemy camp with some rebels shooting at you from well-protected foxholes. A massive tank must be destroyed before you can attack the naval base on Level 3, which takes the battle onto the deck of a huge ship. After shooting down a chopper it's back inland to trudge through a swamp to reach the rebel HQ.

However, by the time you get here the rebels have already flown the nest, taking the former President for a train ride. You must follow them to Level 7's airbase, destroy this and then somehow stop their Hercules plane from taking off.

It all sounds exciting enough, but Mercs is a very ordinary shoot-'em-up with nothing new to offer over previous two-player blasters - most notably the excellent re-released Ikari Warriors.

That game was squeezed into a single load, necessitating the use of simple, unvarying graphics. Mercs' multi-load for each level allows for much more variety and quality with impressive end-level vehicles and large soldier sprites - but why do they all look like Rick Parfitt our of Status Quo?! Also, the scrolling backgrounds aren't that impressive.

More importantly, gameplay is very limited - just running amok with a gun to counter the endless onslaught of rebels. It's obviously inspired by commando, but the large sprites make it all too crowded to work well, it feels much too cramped and the enemies aren't that intelligent.

Apart from some nice graphical variety and good-looking, albeit stupid, baddies, it's all very disappointing. It just goes on and on. Blimey, it *is* Status Quo!

Hmmmm, I've been fed on a diet of two-player shoot-'em-ups for a good few years. My personal fave just has to be Ikari Warriors and it doesn't look like Mercs will change my mind.

We're talking a game of a few good bits but nothing substantial. The enemy soldiers (when they do decide to come on-screen) run round and round in circles with their bullets proving nigh on impossible to avoid.

Good to see some well-done background graphics and a game place build-up, but when it's only one or two baddies on-screen at a time Mercs doesn't have me frothing at the mouth with excitement.

Presentation 54%
Two shared continue plays, multi-loaded levels, simultaneous two-player mode.

Graphics 70%
Good sprites and end-level vehicles, but backdrops are dull.

Sound 42%
Repetitive tune.

Hookability 59%
Unsophisticated shoot-'em-up action and somewhat confusing with two players.

Lastability 59%
A fair challenge but seriously lacking variety.

Overall 59%
Okay conversion of an unoriginal Capcom coin-op.