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The Great Wall tells of runners carrying military messages during times of conflict. You have been selected and your training consists of running along a wall which separates two warring factions.

On your way, a variety of missiles are hurled at you and you only have your wits to defend yourself. You must avoid contact with vast numbers of arrows, cannon balls, rocks - and guards - by either dodging under them or jumping over them. Also to be avoided is falling into the harmless-looking crenellations along the wall.

Nothing presents much of a problem on its own - your troubles start when a guard approaches one way, a rock bounces up from the other and you have to cope with a conveyer belt crossing.

Your performance as a runner is based on time. Spend too long on a section of wall and you lose one of your four lives. You must aim to traverse 64 sections of wall just to complete the first of the eight levels.

The scenario might have changed, but you've probably realised that The Great Wall is a game of the Hunchback type. It offers nothing particularly new, but it does have some well thought-out features.

I always like the text characters which Artie uses. The flowing script is a pleasure to read and gives the game a professional feel - it's a pity it looks like Greek on a Master.

You cannot define the main keys (left, right and jump), but the use of Shift means that left or right-handed players are suited. The graphics are pleasing if fairly simple, and animation is adequate.

Perhaps the best feature of the program is the sound. For starters, it can be turned off entirely or you can choose from four "backing" tunes. A third option allows you to keep the sound effects without the music.

The Great Wall is a simple, fun game which represents good value for money.

Rog Frost