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Set in the Korean War (1950-53), MiG Alley Ace is a combat flight simulator program. It features a split screen which allows an amazing number of playing options. The obvious one is a head-to-head struggle between you and a friend, but you can also take on the computer either singly or with a friend.

You can choose up to three enemy aircraft on each of five missions. When you consider that each mission has five different skill levels, you can see what I mean.

There are four dials for you to worry about (engine power, speedometer, altimeter and radar) together with three warning lights (exhaust gas temperature, low altitude and low ammo). Your first problem is to find your enemy, which is achieved by having a quick peek at your opponent's half screen to find out what height he's flying at and then using your radar. There is nothing more disconcerting than finding your field of view totally clear whilst on his half screen, you find yourself slipping quietly into his gunsights.

Your ammo is strictly limited (according to skill level) and scoring hits is none too easy so you are advised to pick your shots carefully.

The game ends when you have been shot down three times but you have the chance of saving a life by ejecting in time.

That's about it then. MiG Alley Ace looks dated with limited graphics and lacks sophistication compared with other similar games already on the market. I can't help but feel that two reasonably skilled players would have no trouble at all avoiding each other all the time and end up getting nowhere.