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By the 24th century, man had colonised the stars. Millions of human beings left Earth for what they thought would be new and greater things. Some chance - the majority of colonists were forced to live and work in appalling conditions, which resulted in crime and violence. After attempting to cure this disease and falling, governments were forced to introduce drugs into the water supply and atmosphere to calm the masses. This drug - Sky - reduced the populus to a state of apathy, but peace reigned and all was considered well... until news of the drugs reached Earth.

Disgusted by the mistreatment of the colonists, Earth's government decided to attack the arborious planet of Naibomoloc where the Sky factories are based, operated by 'Sky Runners'. A 'Runner Squad' was quickly formed and transported to the surface of the planet, ready to undertake a daring mission.

You play a member of the Runner Squad and can take part in one of nine increasingly difficult attacks, the level being selected before play. A balance of $50,000 is given and money is earned by eradicating anything involved in the production of Sky.

First, a low-altitude fighter has to be flown over the planet's surface and the tall defence towers destroyed. The main display area shows a 3D view of the action with the fighter in the foreground. Pushing forward on the joystick accelerates the fighter and left or right banks it. Fuel and missile levels are displayed at the top of the screen as diminishing bars. If either supply runs low, it is automatically replenished and the price deducted from your bank balance.

The towers defend themselves by firing missiles and if these hit the fighter, or the fighter crashes into a gun tower, the mission is over. When the defence towers have been destroyed, a jet-biker can be dropped onto the forest floor where the attack continues. Enemy bikers patrol the forest and have to be wiped out before an attack can be made on the harvester that collects and processes the raw material for Sky. But the enemy bikers are fast - and armed! They shoot you on sight and weave in and out of trees in an attempt to make you crash. Allied bikers also patrol the planet, and accidentally shooting one results in $2,000 being deducted from your balance.

When it comes to destroying the Sky-producing harvester at the end of a level, a small silhouette of the harvester appears at the top of the screen, and an arrow indicates its weak spot which must be shot. A congratulatory message rewards a successful demolition run, and you are free to begin the next, more difficult attack.

Sky Runner is a simplistic but highly enjoyable and playable game - once you get used to the very sensitive controls! Knocking out the security towers is fun and becomes relatively simple after a few goes - that is, until you try level eight at night!

Skimming through the trees on the sky-bike is great fun - being based on the scene in the Return Of The Jedi film, it captures the same sort of excitement and tension as you whip in and out of trees attempting to blast the bad guys.

Sky Runner is a straightforward, addictive shoot-'em-up with superb graphics and suitable sound FX.

Unfortunately, Sky Runner isn't what it could, and should, have been. The superb, albeit unoriginal scenario, hasn't been completely wasted, but it's a shame that it didn't spawn something really special.

Sky Runner is tremendously playable - speeding through the forest on a Sky-Bike in pursuit of enemy bikers is incredibly exhilarating, especially on Level Eight which is dark!

The pace is fast, the 3D graphics are brilliant, and the sound effects are wonderful. But, sadly, there's not enough variety or depth to justify the price tag.

What a shame! Sky Runner is beautifully presented with some absolutely stunning graphics and atmospheric sound but is completely let down by its very boring gameplay.

The three sections are very simple and the novelty of shooting the denizens disappears alarmingly quickly. Another minus point is that the graphics are used to give a sense of exhilaration, but the feeling wears off after a few games and as soon as that happens the whole program falls flat on its face.

It's such a shame that there isn't more depth or variety to support Sky Runner's superb features - as it stands, it becomes tiresome after very few games.

You may feel otherwise, but I'd strongly recommend you think long and hard before shelling out a tenner.

Presentation 94%
Nine skill levels and professional in-game information.

Graphics 96%
Fabulous, crisp sprites and an incredible 3D effect.

Sound 83%
Dire title screen tune but superb spot FX.

Hookability 92%
Instantly exhilarating and addictive.

Lastability 39%
Not enough depth or variety to captivate.

Value For Money 42%
Expensive for what it offers.

Overall 58%
A brilliant concept wasted on a mediocre game.