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By the year 8878, nuclear conflict had made great areas of the Earth virtually impossible to explore. However, the Governments believe that there are a great number of ancient artefacts to be found in these areas that would be extremely beneficial to modern scientists. Thus the Pastfinder mission was initiated.

A number of heavily shielded base stations were dropped into the unknown reaches, to be used as stopping points for the search craft. These would have to be highly manoeuvrable, as well as being able to traverse very irregular scenery; so the Leeper was born.

The pilot starts at the edge of the terrain to be explored; his objective is to destroy or dodge mutant creatures and collect any artefacts found along the way, to be dropped at the base stations for a promotion.

Pastfinder appeared at a time when vertically scrolling shoot-'em-ups weren't a dime a dozen, so with its added strategy elements it seemed very original.

Now it has appeared at the meagre asking price of £1.99, it still seems as fresh as ever. I can't put my finger on the reason why, but it's kept its excitement somehow and remains just as playable as the day I first saw it.

The control of the Leeper is a little strange, but in no way frustrating, and once you've got the hang of it, it's very difficult to tear yourself away.

Dig deep, find those loose coppers, add them all up to get two quid and buy yourself a copy of Pastfinder today.

What is it about some games that keeps you coming back years after their release? It's been nearly four years since Pastfinder first appeared and, despite the graphics and sound techniques ageing, the game is just as good to play. On the one hand you've got yer blasting and shooting action and on the other you've got yer strategy bit.

What more could you ask? Well at the time people asked for the game to be a bit cheaper... and they don't come much cheaper than two quid. My advice is rush out and buy it - if you haven't got it, that is. If you have got it - play it!

Presentation 60%
Bland between-sector screens but decent on-screen presentation. Nice joystick handling.

Graphics 61%
Fairly similar, varying only in types of shape and colour. Nothing special.

Sound 54%
Atmospheric effects but no music.

Hookability 80%
Quite hard to get into because of the complexity of the task.

Lastability 90%
Tough and challenging, with plenty of sectors to clear and ever higher promotion to chase after.

Overall 93%
A classic blast from the past.