It must be stated at the start that this is a very well produced simulation package, rather than the set-'em-up-and-fire game found in many arcades.

The action is set in the Mediterranean and your reviewer, having glanced through the comprehensive instruction manual, felt confident that no ship between Gibraltar and the Gulf was safe. Within five minutes, the submarine in question had been grounded off Libya, sunk by enemy fire, and had become hopelessly lost.

Returning to the manual, I found that the instruments offered not only useful but invaluable support. So rule number one is to ensure you know what those strange and extensive dials and needles actually do.

The central area of the screen offers three modes, various maps, periscope, and the sonar screen. The map is of the whole Mediterranean and gives only the most general of impressions (a flashing dot) of where you are. The location of the enemy has already been shown to be in the range on the final mode, the sonar screen.

There are many, many more things to think about in this game, and tactics are very important if you are to avoid becoming a 'bilge pumper' on the final ratings. To give you an impression of the complex nature of the instrumentation, you have to keep an eye on: attitude, compass, clock, torpedo supply, fuel supply, battery charge, speed (in knots), sonar screen (map and periscope), depth gauge - and that is only a third of them!

All in all, I rather think an honorary commission in the senior service should be the reward for a good score in this particular game.