I knew that space was tough, but in Starbase, the scientists get wiped out like flies! You are a lone patroller, guarding a cache of scientists, busy trying to colonise planet XA2 (I thought that was a camera - never mind).

The men of science are being attacked by alien spacecraft, and it's up to you to chuck 'em into the mighty void by showing them the big X with your laser crosswires.

The pin-men scientists scurry around like ants at the bottom of the screen. Screen top displays remaining numbers of scientists and alien craft. The hordes of the enemy pop out of the belly of the screen. And that's really all there is to say. Action is jerky and there are no frills. No other screens. No rewards. No change. In fact, if you should pause to think "Why am I doing this?" whilst you hurl yourself from side to side of the screen; the answer can only be "to practise manual dexterity - you fool!" Think of it as a kind of piano practice for games-men. Commodore should know better.