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Once again, the Earth is in trouble. Energy reserves are at an all-time low, and new sources are desperately needed. In a remote part of the Universe, a strange phenomenon has been discovered and termed the Pile-Up. This consists of a 16 x 16 landscape made up of light and dark squares. Many of the light squares are taken up by black marble-like spheres of pure energy - a much needed source of power.

The light squares rise and fall, carrying their host marble with them. As the spheres' height increases, their energy level also changes, indicated by a corresponding alteration in their colour.

The authorities have commissioned a special vessel which can collect the energy stored within the alien constructions. The player pilots one of these craft, and transfer energy from the marbles to the transformer station, ready for transportation back to Earth.

The ship is steered by joystick, and pressing the Fire button operates the thrusters, thereby causing it to rise. Releasing the button allows the ship to fall under the influence of gravity. Marbles are picked up by landing exactly on top of them, whereupon the energy is stored in the ship's energy chamber.

Flying to the transformer is by no means safe, as collision with the surrounding landscape results in an energy drain. On reaching the transformer, perfectly aligning the ship results in the energy being automatically transferred.

If the on-board power level drops too far, the ship becomes immobilised and your mission ends.

The first thing that struck me about Pile-Up! was the infuriatingly sensitive control method employed in guiding the ship around.

I gained some kind of proficiency after a while, but I never felt totally in control of the proceedings. As regards the gameplay, Pile-Up! is little more than an exercise in forced dexterity, with scarce entertainment value and no real lasting appeal. What it does offer is well implemented, but there's just not enough in there.

Unusual control methods are all very well, but when they're as frustrating as this it ruins the game in question. Guiding the ship over the nicely drawn landscape is enjoyable - until you try to land on a sphere.

One wrong move and the ship crashes around like a drunken fly, and after a few more seconds it's destroyed.

After some practice I managed to start collecting spheres, but playing a game which you know could end because of one wrong move isn't too enjoyable. If Pile-Up!'s control method wasn't so uncompromising then it could have offered a lot of fun, but as it stands the gameplay is a little too finnicky.

Presentation 67%
A good-looking game, let down by inadequate and unhelpful instructions.

Graphics 72%
Sharp and functional throughout.

Sound 74%
Unusual soundtrack and good effects.

Hookability 48%
The fiddly control can hardly be described as user-friendly.

Lastability 36%
The limited gameplay affords little in the way of lasting challenge... or even short-term appeal.

Overall 53%
An underdeveloped game, which is more a test of dexterity than a form of entertainment.