Capitalists In Space

It is easy to believe that there is only one universe as you hold that 3.5in disc in your hand. However, beings in another dimension would be inclined to argue the point. And when you boot the disc you are informed that a universe is being created for you and suddenly you find yourself in a totally capitalist society.

Everything costs credits, which you can only gain by smart interplanetary trading, and you must seek the elusive nine segment de-activation code for an Armageddon Device set by the evil Kargans. Not only is this timed to destroy the universe at stardate 999.9, but these creatures are not beyond a little ambushing as you wander round. The storyline comes with the disc and some poorly laid out instructions.

Almost all the game control is via the mouse through an attractive set of full screen menus. The icons are colourful and reasonably obvious. For docking your ship Gem has sensibly used left and right buttons for attitude control rather than the mouse proper - after Lander/Zarch this is greatly appreciated. Yet for some reason, keys are used in combat, when the mouse would have beenmore obvious.

Impending battles set off a warning system as you are told to set your weapons system. Not expecting my micro to talk, this rather threw me the first time, so that I had only enough time to desperately see off my attackers with zero energy phasers and no shields,

[Text missing] though this is not exactly fair as it is much larger, with more than 100 galaxies to hyperdrive through, each with about five visitable planets, and it makes no pretence to 3D graphics.

There is little actual flying, as your course is plotted between planets, leaving you with the docking which, if you don't do it properly, results in damage to your hull. You can also manoeuvre in battles, though this isa little sluggish. You are flying a large cargo vessel whereas your opponents are various classes of fighters, so perhaps this is logical.

Should you survive you can always upgrade your engines. If you should decide to transport to the planet's surface you may be disappointed - indeed I would have happily sacrificed a few star systems for the benefit of better planetary graphics.

Overall, Startrader is a well thought out strategy game though the combat section could have been tighter, I was impressed that the disc was not copy protected and that you are encouraged to make yourself a back-up. Incidentally, it might be paranoia on my part, but after ending badly several times, I found the closing message distinctly smug.

Terry Blunt