Previous Next

Mutant Ant Attack is the perfect example of a great game almost ruined by a poor choice of movement keys.

Action takes place on a screen of intersecting lines along which march the so-called Mutant Ants. You control a tank which rotates and can move or fire in the direction in which it is pointing.

Unfortunately the keys chosen for this control are absolutely ludicrous. Try manoeuvring a small tank about the screen using '5' for rotate left, '6' to move, '7' to fire, and '8' to rotate right.

Okay, so you can eventually get used to them, but if you've just forked out a fair sum for a game, you don't expect to have to waste your time on the controls when you could be developing your tactics instead.

This is a great pity, because Mutant Ant Attack would be a winner if it was more comfortable to play. The point is that every shot you fire goes off the edge of the screen (if it doesn't hit anything) and re-enters from the opposite side.

It will continue on its course until it hits something. This means that you can have any number of shells in the air at once, picking off the ants as they make their way in resolute formation across the screen. And of course you have to keep dodging your own shells as well as the ants.

A simple but addictive game that will only give of its best to people with four hands.