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This is one of those games that tries to give you a taste of the world of big business and the thrill of making your fortune drilling for oil.

There are lots of programs like this on the market for the simple reason that they are easy to write. The player is given a sum of money and a limited number of ways in which to spend it. Success is, or should be, dictated by the common sense of your decisions.

In North Sea Oil you have a weekly budget of £I million. You are allowed to divide this between three accounts - drilling consumables, spares, food, and accommodation for your workforce.

Having made the appropriate allocations, you must then navigate your supply ship across the North Sea to the drilling platform. The player must take into account wind and tide when setting a course. The longer the voyage, the more supplies get washed overboard en route.

Once you've arrived safely you're asked to divide your workforce between drilling, maintenance and services. You are then permitted to drill a certain number of wells depending on your performance so far. The more wells you drill, the more money you'll earn.

Strategy games are usually written in Basic and are not exactly noted for speed and special effects. North Sea Oil is no exception. More seriously, the number of options open to the player is seriously limited in Shards' program.

The only thing in favour of this game is the inclusion of the sea-crossing which adds a much-needed touch of originality. Oil tycoons are unlikely to be impressed.