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This epic space game is now out in an improved disc version - Tau Ceti: Special Edition, which looks promising since the original cassette version (Tau Ceti) was Raved in our April issue. There's no real change to the gameplay but the presentation and detail within the game has been considerably extended.

The basic task is the same as that of the cassette version, namely to stop a deserted planet's robot defence systems by shutting down its main reactor. To do this you have to collect rods from cities on the planet and put them together before inserting them into the reactor core.

The rods are found in reactor substations which can be docked with in your 'skimmer' spacecraft. This spends its time skimming the planet surface from city to city, blasting robot defences and trying to stay alive. There are other buildings that you can dock with, including a new addition in this version - the libraries.

Libraries are found in all cities and contain timevaults which are opened by solving a puzzle. Inside are various objects that may help your mission like super missiles, extra shields, radiation suits and a single jump drive. Libraries can also provide plenty of useful information. Their data banks can give details on many of the features and background to the game; an identification chart helps you recognise all the planet features and a city map reveals the location of all the buildings.

The city map reveals another new feature on the game - the outposts. These are areas of each city that can only be reached using a single jump drive, and which contain some nasty surprises in the form of hordes of robots.

Other areas in which the game has been improved are the graphics for the interiors of buildings, the presentation of menus and instructions at the start of the game and additional buildings and features like volcanoes and more robots.

The disc version certainly improves a good deal on the cassette and makes a great game even better. Worth a look even if you've got the cassette version already.

As before, the infrared screen option is hard to use, but otherwise the game's fine.

P. Excellent graphics and mean handling.
P. Tough combat action against even more craft.
P. Very difficult long term task.
P. Puzzling and strategy add something extra.
P. Nice additional features like libraries and outposts.

N. Not very impressive sound