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Being a parent ain't easy, and baby-sitting for other people is even worse. Young Steg is in both positions at the same time, his hungry little T-'yngunz - bless you - are hungry. The mini-Stegs eat grubs ('orrible little squirmy things), which can be found wandering around the often huge labyrinthine levels. Being a slug, Steg isn't in possession of legs. In fact, he's completely legless, but he moves around exceptionally well. In addition to sliding along the floor, Steg can cling to the walls and ceiling Spiderman-style.

With no hands either, Steg can't seize the grubs in the conventional way, but being a resourceful sort of chap he finds a way to catch 'em. He actually blows slime bubbles that trap the grubs and bear them ever upward towards the cavern roof. This is achieved by holding down the fire button until the meter below the energy bar reaches maximum, then releasing it at the right moment. Beware though, if you leave the bubble meter topped up for too long, Steg loses energy. There are five T'yungunz in the nest to feed, but if Steg takes too long catching din-dins the young 'uns die of starvation.

As ever, life isn't easy. There are various doo-dahs scattered around just waiting to obstruct the tortuous path of the grub-filled bubbles. The spherical objects are very fragile and must be guided by Steg. To do this he must either nudge them or give them a quick blow. In the way are spikes, fire and glass - all three pop the bubbles placing the enclosed grubs at gravity's mercy. Be careful. The programmers haven't been complete bar stools, though, 'coz Steg does receive some help. Apples replenish flagging spirits, while speed-ups, bellows, blowing devices and bionic parts (Six Million Dollar Man, eat yer heart out) also help.

A jetpack that allows our hero to fly, and a pair of bionic legs that give Steg the power to leap tall buildings wth a single bound and super-slug speed-ups are scattered around. Steg needs every trick in the book-worm to make sure that his sprogs are fed - at which point our horrid hero moves to the next level and faces the same problems again. Well, maybe not exactly the same because, although the basic pattern of the game doesn't change, it does get a darn sight harder.

The path to the next soon becomes a real pain, with more and more obstacles to hinder progress and trickier puzzles to tax the old grey cells. But I'm pleased to say that Steg isn't the hair-tearer I initially feared it to be. Graphically, the game is up to the Codies' usual high standards, the sprites being extremely cutesy. Codemasters have a habit of producing great games with the stars going on to bigger and better things (Look at Dizzy, CJ and Seymour!). I genuinely hope that Steg is no exception. What say you, Codies?

Let's get one thing straight: If anyone else points out a resemblance between Steg and me, I'll eat their lettuces! Ironically, Steg isn't remotely sluggish. In fact, the little chap positively trailblazes along walls - when he's not bounding on his robo-legs or zooming skywards strapped to a jetpack.

Nevertheless, when you've explored a level and flicked the right switches, there can be a lot of just sticking in one place, bubbling up the countless number of grubs required to feed the sprogs. Things get much more complicated on later levels, though, where you have to keep moving around to nudge bubbles in the right direction to avoid them colliding and dropping all the grubs.

It can get really frantic when your sprogs are on the verge of starvation. Then there's the hidden bonus screens with stars to collect in the right order, while a level password system eases any frustration.

Just like Bob Monkhouse, Steg is slimy but highly entertaining.

Presentation 84%
Neat title screen and handy level password system

Graphics 87%
Bold and colourful, especially Steg

Sound 50%
Phone Rich and ask him about the sound!

Hookability 87%
You'd better find some oil for your lamp...

Lastability 88%
...'coz you'll be burning it 'til midnight and beyond

Overall 87%