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By a strange twist of fate you have suddenly become Molecule Man - a round ball on legs, trapped within a nightmarish maze contaminated by radiation. All around you, abstract shapes block your every move. A clock is counting down, and the radiation is gradually shortening your life. The only way to escape is by teleporter. However, there's a problem - you can only use the teleporter when sixteen circuits have been found and installed in it. These circuits are scattered around Molecule Man's huge 3D maze, and are the key to escape - and survival.

A maze contaminated by radiation is not the healthiest place to be stuck. The only way to stay alive under these conditions is to take anti-radiation pills. Molecule Man begins with a supply of twenty tablets, but in order to survive he must eat one every few seconds, so his stock diminishes rather quickly.

Fortunately, tablet vending machines are dotted around the maze - but life isn't cheap, and tablets cost money. Molecule Man came unprepared - his pockets are completely devoid of small change when he enters the maze. Thankfully the inhabitants of the maze are rather untidy fellows, as £1 coins can be found on the floor, and the dispensary is happy to exchange them for pills.

Along with money and circuits, bombs can be collected. When Molecule Man has found his money, he must decide whether to spend it on extra life-giving pills or bombs. The bombs come in handy for destroying sections of the maze walls, allowing access to new, unexplored parts. The status report area keeps tabs on the number of bombs, tablets, coins and pieces of teleporter circuit Molecule Man is carrying.

The screen is made up of strange shapes that mark out the boundaries of the maze. These vary from traffic cones to magic toadstools - each screen is different. When you come to the edge of one screen, Molecule Man automatically trundles to the next in his search for the exit.

The basic maze would put the Hampton Court designers to shame. However, if you become bored with the layout, an editor is provided so that you may re-design the playing area, altering objects that make up the maze to fit your requirements.

The game can become as difficult as you like, and custom mazes can be saved to tape for later sessions.

If you're into arcade adventures then this program certainly offers plenty, especially as it's only a couple of quid. Escape seems impossible at first, as Mr. Molecule constantly runs out of radiation pills, but once you know your way around the place you can plan your route properly - mapping is essential.

If you find it a bit too hard there's always the maze designer which allows you to make things easier, or even to construct your very own Molecule Man maze. The 3D is effective, and characters move quite quickly when compared with other games of this ilk.

Definitely worth a look.

This seems to be a good month for budget titles. We've had LA SWAT, Park Patrol and now Molecule Man which is really playable.

I found it quite hard to get into at first - collecting money for pills is real hassle, although after a few goes you get a 'feel' for the game and mentally mapping the playing area becomes second nature. The thing that makes the game for me, apart from the graphics which are excellent, is the maze-edit facility - simple, but it adds another dimension to an already good game.

I thoroughly recommend this as it is well presented, compelling and cheap.

I found Molecule Man slow, tiresome and quite frustrating at times. There's too much tedious exploration involved and not enough fast, immediate action, or innovative problems to solve.

The single colour graphics are dull and repetitive, and the spot FX are sparse and crude. To be fair though, this type of 3D maze game bores me senseless. Still, Molecule Man is cheap and worth a second look - unless you feel the same way.

Presentation 84%
Good in-game presentation and an attractive, easy-to-use screen designer.

Graphics 64%
Effective 3D, reasonable single-colour sprites and backdrops.

Sound 18%
A few simple noises.

Hookability 71%
Initially playable, although a mite frustrating.

Lastability 72%
Over 200 locations to explore, and if the going gets tedious there's always the maze designer.

Value For Money 79%
A bargain for only two quid.

Overall 69%
A decent 3D maze game which should appeal to arcade adventurers with a low budget.