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Andrew Braybrook has earned himself the right to be named one of the top games programmers. Ever since Andrew's first two major releases, Paradroid and Uridium, there has always been much impatient finger-tapping going on as Braybrook addicts wait for his next block-buster.

The wait is over, for his latest offering is called Morpheus. The objective is incredibly simple, enter the charge-dominated universe, attack and destroy the orbitals, and shut down the nucleus.

You begin with a standard spaceship, equipped with a short range plasma-beam. You are able to build and develop your ship by purchasing and earning extra weapons and systems.

Points scored are converted into guineas, which in turn permit you to purchase your extra requirements. In all, there are fifty levels. The mysterious Morpheus is located on the final level.

The screen display is split in two. The top display has player one's total points on the far left, and player two's to the front.

A radar display is situated at the top centre of the screen and only shows the nucleus and the charged orbitals that are scattered around the universe. The bottom display shows the playing area. On each and every level you must attack and destroy the charged orbitals which are defended by morphai particles.

The morphai escape from the Orbital once it's under attack. Attaching the Morphai gives you valuable extra points.

Immediately after the orbital has been destroyed, it collapses to become a Neutron Dwarf and the Radar display will turn red.

As soon as the orbital has collapsed, you must whizz back to the Nucleus at the centre of the universe and destroy some of the bonus Morpheus symbols which are emitted by the decaying nucleus.

The points gained from destroying these is invaluable. Once the nucleus has completely disintegrated, your ship is transported back to the docking bay.

As you progress through each level, the quantity of orbitals that have to be destroyed increases and all the time the morphai become more and more aggressive and begin to be less susceptible to your older weapons.

When back at the docking bay, the points which were just gained are converted into guineas.

If you were lucky enough to have gained quite a considerable amount of points, you may be able to commission your ship with a selection of systems and weapons to enhance your capabilities.

Each item has a menu. Within this menu is a selection of alternative add-ons which include onboard systems, replacement hulls and extra weaponry.

It is essential that you equip your ship with as many add-ons as you can, and as early as you can.

The correct choice of add-on is also essential, as you will find out. The best way to get as far as you can in the game is to blast everything that you come across so that you get as many points as possible.

Then, when you return to the docking bay, you will have plenty of guineas to splash out on whatever your heart desires.

To tell you the truth, I was very disappointed with Morpheus. The originality of the game is great, but the gameplay is extremely laborious. Probably the best thing about the game was the music and sound effects. Steve Turner has done a neat job on these, the music has a good rhythm to it and the sound effects up to Uridium and Alleykat quality.

Morpheus is more of an arcade/strategy game, not the usual arcade shoot-'em-up that Andrew has been associated with in the past.

Graphics are of the usual Braybrook quality, playability is tough but after a considerable amount of practice, playable.

For those of you who are strategically minded, then Morpheus could be quite a challenge for you. If you're a follower of the Braybrook arcade shoot-'em-up series and were hoping for another, then Morpheus may not be what you expected.

Overall, Morpheus is visually very good, only its playability and lack of backdrops let it down. If you had set your heart on buying Morpheus when you first read the previews, I suggest that you actually try the game out for yourself before you decide.

I'm not saying that the game isn't good, it's just that it didn't appeal to me and this may go for you as well.

Give the game a test before you shell out your hard-earned pennies.