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Do you ever get sick of playing the good guys? If you do, you'll be pleased to hear that Night Hunter casts you into the role of an evil do-badder out to make the lives of all good people as miserable as possible. The malevolent one in question is old Count Dracula himself, he of the extended incisors and blood-sucking tendencies. And he's out to create Chaos on Earth.

You see, Drac's had a problem for the last few decades - humans have been protecting themselves with holy medallions which thwart the Count's haemo-slurping activities. But now he's come up with a fiendish master-plan to steal all the medallions, so he and his night-stalking chums can run amok.

Unfortunately, a goodie two-shoes by the name of Professor Van Helsing has got wind of these plans and has created an army of anti-vampire hunters to put a premature end of Dracula's gong-grabbing antics. So, old Drac's up against it.

The action is displayed side on, and the screen flicks as Dracula marauds about. The play area is very large - thirty levels, each one twenty screens long. To progress from one level to another, the Count has to collect three parchments and five keys, found littered around the landscape, which opens the door to the next screen. Every fifth door is replaced by a medallion, and when all have been picked up, Drac can have his well-wicked way with humanity.

From the very outset of Drac's mission, the good guys attack. These come in all sorts of cuddly 'n wholesome sizes, and range from bowmen, muscle men and axemen to priests; all attempt to hit Dracula and wear down his energy meter, the depletion of which results in the loss of one of this three lives. Fortunately, he can defend himself by grabbing a goodie and sucking the blood from his neck, which tops up the energy bar in the process.

Some parts of the landscape seem inaccessible - but the wicked vampire has the technology to change into a bat and fly over the offending obstacle. He can't stay bat-shaped for long though, and a timer ticks down as he flaps about. He can also change into a Werewolf, with similar time restrictions.

Night Hunter is an odd little game, and certainly provides its fair share of amusement. Digitised sound effects are to the fore, with all sorts of outrageous noises adding to the nocturnal ambiance. Owls hoots, rats squeak and frogs sing - and there's also a particularly grisly slurping effect accompanying any blood-sucking activities.

The graphics aren't marvellous, but there are some neat touches like rats and frogs leaping around.

Platform fanatics are recommended to try this out, although those with less enthusiasm for this type of game might find it gets a little tedious after prolonged play.