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As strange as it may seem, Phil's Metro and Test Drive II have a lot in common. Perhaps if I elaborate, things may become a little clearer.

As with all Accolade (the original producers) games, the presentation is fantastic, with large animated cars whizzing around on the title screen and some excellent static pictures of gas stations at the end of each section. The choice is given on the options screen (also very well presented) to either race against the clock to reach the next checkpoint, or enter a duel with a computer-controlled competitor.

Once in the car, your 3D view of the road ahead is shown above a plush dashboard, steering wheel and gear stick. A rear-view mirror enables you to keep an eye out for your rival and block his overtaking manoeuvres.

After screening off the starting line, I was a little surprised (not to mention perplexed) when I soon careered into the back of a fellow road user. Following a quick recovery (from a written-off Porsche to a showroom-new one is seconds), I started the engine again and was soon bombing down the freeway. A few goes later I found myself confronted with the 'Game Over' message for the umpteenth time, as it appears head-on collisions are not the in-thing these days (come back, Iron Man!).

While I enjoyed the fairly high speed of the game, I feel a little more warning could have been given concerning the oncoming traffic. Every time you pull out to overtake you put your life in the hands of a random element - very frustrating. Secondly, the multi-load is a pain in the bottom. Every level has to be loaded separately, as do the gas-station pictures. This means the game flows very badly, and you find yourself getting more and more infuriated (just like in Phil's Metro, when you get overtaken by a push-bike!).

On the positive side, the graphics are excellent and this has to be the most realistic C64 driving game available. The title music's a little disappointing, but the in-game's engine noises are some of the best heard on the C64 so far.

If you enjoy driving games and are a balanced enough person to ignore the faults. Test Drive II should be a definite addition to your Christmas list.

Ah, this is the life, motoring along in a Porsche or Ferrari. For those who can't afford their dream cars, Test Drive II's a reasonable substitute. The 3D's on the jerky side, but moves fast enough. The one problem is the suddenness with which oncoming traffic appears - a bit unfair. However, the cars and Juggernauts are well drawn, and realism is heightened by some meaty FX from your engine.

Zooming past roadhogs and outrunning the cops is all great fun, not to the mention the running battle against your computer opponent - there's nothing quite so satisfying as passing another supercar.

Presentation 82%
Cool intro scenes, irritating multi-load

Graphics 83%
Brill dashboard animation, good main view

Sound 64%
Good engine noise, feeble music

Hookability 76%
Realistic action only marred by loading system

Lastability 61%
Fair amount of tracks, questionable variation

Overall 73%