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We might think people who claim to see little green men are one marble short of a bagful. But this game just goes to prove that certain members of the Zzap office (no names mentioned, how's it going Ian?) aren't the ugliest creatures in the universe.

Space Gun is set in the year 2039, and is a one or two player game where you become a hard-assed Colonial Marine for the day.

Y'see there's this bunch of nasty buggy-eye aliens (Lucy's relatives?) [Bog off, Ratfink - Lucy] who want to enslave the human race. And its your job to stop 'em, matey [and you're welcome to it - Ed].

The first part of your mission is to rescue a bunch of civilians from an orbiting space station. They were minding their own business when the bug-eyed beasties attacked, but now they're din-dins unless you help.

At least one hostage must be saved in each section against a vicious time limit. If you screw up and torch the lot of them, it's goodnight universe, and game over. But for rescuing all the humans in each section you're awarded an extra credit (you start the game with three). The game's viewed through the eyes of the character and scrolls both horizontally and vertically (no, not at the same time, you twit). But the aliens ain't going to let you take away their dinner so easily. Very soon several thousand pounds of alien warrior is trying to rip your goddamn head off. So now's a good time to press the fire button - hold on, you've got to aim the gun first. An on-screen free-floating cursor pin-points the direction of your bullets, so let rip (luckily ammo's unlimited).

The best tactic is to shoot at anything, whether it moves or not, 'cos there are handy icons waiting to be discovered. These include bombs, a flame thrower, grenades, a freeze gun and extra energy. So you do at least have a fighting chance (and if you believe that, you'll believe anything!).

As you battle with the bug-eyed hordes, your obligatory energy level plummets floorwards (closely followed by you). There are two main types of critters, big fat barsts who try to bite or slash you with their claws (anyone for a manicure?). And smaller Alien-esque 'face hugger' creatures, who cling to your face every chance they get (yuck).

Once a huge end-of-level guardian has been blasted to hell and back, it's down to the surface of the nearest planet in your little shuttle craft. Here you zoom along a vertically scrolling screen, blasting the crap out of attacking meanies, and saving hostages of course (you really are a vicious gut). You then blast your way through the two levels of a colonial base, before returning to your shuttle. But the game isn't quite over yet, because in the last level, the monstrosities wait in the shuttle to ambush you from behind the sofa.

Here you are facing the cockpit of the shuttle. the idea is to mangle the aliens without shooting up the cabin (a mega BOOOM! is the result of lead-riddled instrument panels). So there you have it, Space Gun is a blast-'em-up fan's dream come true.

The creatures rip you to shreds without mercy (any mercy jokes will be repaid by a trip to loose tooth city), and for many games I had the stuffing kicked out of me.

Graphically the games up to Images' high standards (smarm, grovel - I hope the cheque's in the post guys), with a great deal of angst generated when the brilliantly drawn and animated aliens leap out at your character. So what are you waiting for, join the Colonial Marines today and save the universe. Or alternately buy Space Gun from your friendly neighbourhood computer shop; at least you won't have to invite the aliens round for tea afterwards.

Presentation 92%
Handy two-player option and ace inter-level screens.

Graphics 92%
Colourful backdrops, the aliens are animated superbly.

Sound 88%
Moody soundtrack adds to the spooky atmosphere.

Hookability 93%
From the first alien attack, Space Gun is xenophobic fun.

Lastability 91%
You can't quit until the last bug-eyed monster is dead!

Overall 92%