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After centuries of peace, the people of Earth are once again about to be thrown into battle following the re-emergence of the evil Zzyaxian Empire, which has plans to attack the Terrans' homeworld.

Unused to the rigours and tactics of warfare, Earth's only hope is to initiate the genetically mutated beasts created by the ancients over 6,000 years ago. These animals, specifically the mutant camels, were last used in combat against the Zzyaxian aggressors when they saved the Earth from defeat. The signal for their reactivation has been sent and once more the fate of the Earth lies in their hooves.

Taking direct control of one such creature, your mission takes place on the planet Zzyax, where there are 100 horizontally scrolling attack waves waiting to be confronted.

The camel fires continuously while the joystick button is held down, and pushing up on the joystick launches the mutant Dromedary into the air where it can then launch bombs onto the Zzyaxians below.

At the end of a wave, new weapons may be 'bought' by accessing the weapons selection mode. Placing the cursor circle over a previously attempted square, and pressing the fire button accesses the equipment list where, depending on the amount of credits earned, different weapons and shields may be purchased.

Initially, five mutant camels are available, and extra beasts may also be purchased later on.

Superb stuff! The third chapter of the Camels series follows on perfectly from its predecessors. The individual graphics are occasionally eye-wrenching, but are always extremely clever, they also contain some great humour.

The gameplay echoes Revenge I, but it's much better, with a new 'weapons select' system, more powerful firepower and a much improved control method.

The sound is also great, and lends a great atmosphere to the action. Minter has certainly come up with the goods again - and at a price that everyone can afford.

As happens with most of Mister Minter's games, I find it harder to relate to a camel than to a spaceship or futuristic vessel of some kind. Having said all that, I'm sure that the 86 billion Minter fans will run out and buy it nonetheless - and they'll enjoy it too, as this is a typical Minter product, full of inspired characters and more than slightly off the wall gameplay.

There's not a lot on offer for square system-dwellers though.

Presentation 80%
Good documentation and pleasant on-screen appearance.

Graphics 80%
Large, colourful and typically Minteresque.

Sound 79%
A gentle title tune contrasts with the game's awesome cacophany.

Hookability 89%
Although the action is strange - it's easy to get into.

Lastability 79%
100 different waves to negotiate and plenty of blasting action.

Overall 90%
Another Minter classic which shows that there's still life in the horizontally shoot-'em-up theme.