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Domark don't have the most sparkling of reputations on the Amstrad with some not able past 'turkeys' to their debit. But they've certainly broken the pattern with this latest release, Split Personalities. It's based on letter-square or tile-sliding puzzles but takes them into a whole new dimension with some very different and entertaining ideas.

The basic idea is to construct a famous face from 20 puzzle pieces - within a time limit and while trying to deal with a number of additional hazards.

It all takes place on a single screen, most of which is occupied by the 25-square playing area. In the top-left square is a box from which the various puzzle pieces emerge. You control a cursor that moves freely around the grid. When it goes into the box, you can 'fire' a square out onto the screen.

Once a square is in play you can put the cursor over it and slide it in any direction until it hits the wall or another square. When the cursor is placed over a part of the puzzle the relevant square lights up on a smaller version of the picture in the top-right corner of the screen. This shows you where each piece has to end up.

Up to now it just sounds like a simple tile-sliding puzzle, but there are many complications. On three sides of the grid there are sliding doors: squares can be pushed through them when open so that they have to be retrieved from the box. There are also cracks that may appear in the walls: if you throw a square into one it bounces back.

Apart from the picture squares, there are also a number of other items that may be thrown out of the box; some good for you and others a real problem. A good old-fashioned bomb, for instance, fuse sizzling. If one of these is thrown out, you have only five seconds to chuck it out door or to throw it into a water-tap; the latter action getting you healthy bonus points. If a bullet, double those points by throwing it into a gun. If diamonds, fling two together and extend your time limit.

Characters also have objects specific to themselves that, when thrown together, give bonus points. These you learn by experimentation but it's usually obvious what will work with what. There are also dangerous items like matches and fuel which don't go very well together.

You need to go for all the bonuses you can because time is very short (you'll often need those diamonds) and an extra life is given only at 100,000 points.

The pictures are quite well drawn and you should have no trouble recognising all the characters. They range from politicians, computer-industry figures and film stars to the royal family and pop stars - a very mixed bunch.

Later levels get really tough: doors and cracks become more awkward and squares bounce off each other if they don't have a wall or another block behind them when they collide.

The graphics are fun but the real key to the game's success is the addictive and demanding gameplay. You have to concentrate very hard and react quickly to every event, so as to beat the time limit and deal with all the surprise events. There are plenty of levels to keep you going and you'll find it tough not to come back for more every time.

If you always thought Reagan and Thatcher needed their heads rearranging, here's your chance. If you want to test your skill and reaction speed against a tough time limit you can do that too, but be warned: it's very addictive and incredibly frustrating.

25,000

There are real visibility problems on some puzzle pieces, but the key at the top of the screen means that it's still playable.

P. Recognisable pictures of the famous.
P. Very testing and addictive gameplay.
P. Lots of surprise features like bombs and diamonds.
P. Increasing difficulty with new features being added.
P. Needs concentration and quick thinking under pressure.

N. Bombs can pop up in an impossible situation.