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This classic strategy board game involves two players attempting to capture squares on a chess-style board by the placement of counters coloured black on one side and white on the other.

A player places each counter so that it forms a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, having one of his counters at the other end and at least one opposing counter between them. The outflanked counters are then turned over to form a continuous line of one colour, and play continues. The winner is the player with the higher number of captured squares when all the counters are used.

The value of putting Othello onto a computer is fairly limited, especially when the presentation is as weak as this. What the package really lacks is gloss: a larger range of options would have been appreciated.

For example, the choice between 3D and overhead viewpoints is now almost standard for this kind of game; similarly, there could have been an option to change the colours, or a help facility, or suggested moves... That said, it's attractive enough to play: the computer opponent is very quick and at least thinks ahead more than the next move. The 'action' proves relatively compulsive whenever you pick it up, and although no essential purchase, you can always come back to it for some taxing relaxation.

This is another rather uninspiring board game conversion with very little sparkle. But then how much sparkle can you give an Othello game? The graphics, while being rather bland, are at least unambiguous, and the colours are easy on the eye.

I'm surprised that there aren't more play options such as those employed in the more recent chess programs, allowing bad moves to be taken back, for example. Skill levels are particularly missed, and lastability suffers for their absence - once I'd worked out the best strategy to beat it, I knew I wouldn't be coming back for more.

Presentation 10%
Minimal instructions rely on the player already knowing the game's rules, and while there's a two player option, a single computer skill level means solo players aren't well catered for.

Graphics 32%
Adequate but uninspiring.

Sound 20%
A tiny snatch of digitised music while loading, but little else.

Hookability 52%
As initially interesting as the board game.

Lastability 23%
The computer's strategy is easy to grasp, and there's only one skill level to beat.

Overall 31%
Not bad as far as it goes, but Othello's limitations make it poor value for money.