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I'm not a number, I'm a free robot, claims the unlikely hero of one of the funniest films around. He's Number Five, a Nova Robotics military robot with a nuclear laser. He's also... alive!

Number Five was hit by a lightning bolt and 'malfunctioned'. Now he's got thoughts, emotions and a conscience and he likes the way he is now and intends to stay like it.

However, the scientist who built him wants to dismantle him to see what went wrong. Nova's president wants him captured before he kills millions of people with his laser while the security chief just wants to blast him! Your job is to keep him alive.

Number Five begins the game in the Nova Robotics complex. He can move around using joystick or keyboard control but can't get very far. Luckily, you'll soon find a terminal that he can link with - using a LINK program - and can download three more programs that will allow him to SEARCH and USE objects and READ any input (books) he finds.

Now he can explore the complex and find objects such as video tapes, coloured door passes, keys, coffee cups and even a scared mouse. What you do with these objects will make the difference between escaping from the complex into part two of the game and capture - which means you get disassembled.

Eventually you'll find a second terminal where you can load in three more programs with which you can LOOK, BREAK and DROP. LOOK is the most important command as Number Five will then be able to see objects more clearly and spot the difference between a desk and a fruit machine, and discover a use for a pound coin stashed in a plant pot: use the coin in the fruit machine and another full-scale fruit machine appears on the wall. I'm still trying to discover what you do with the new one!

In part two you must literally run for your life - you find yourself being chased by Nova's guards and other robots. Luckily, you're armed with laser and jump mechanisms - you're meant to have found in part one, but you must try to only stun, not kill, your enemies. You must also avoid hurting the cuddly animals and birds that are in your path, otherwise you'll get so depressed you'll give in.

To fully appreciate the game - and distinguish it from other 3D arcade adventures - you'll have to see the excellent film. Only then will comments such as "ooohhhh input" and "disassemble" make any real sense.