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My name is Bond. James Bond. Double O Seven. Licensed to Kill. And I'm going to scare The Living Daylights out of you.

Well, we all have dreams, don't we? Here I am sitting at the computer, dressed in white dinner jacket, bow tie and trousers with a crease you could cut yourself on.

Dum diddy dum dum, dum dum dum, diddy dum dum, da da de da...

Ah yes, the good old Bond music stirs the blood. Not like the awful A-Ha theme song to The Living Daylights movie on which the game is based.

Talking of the film, here's the plot. It adds a bit of colour to the game.

James Bond has recently returned from Gibraltar on exercises to be sent on a new mission to Bratislava, masterminding the defection of KGB General Koskov.

Despite an attempt on his life by beautiful Czech Cellist Kara, Koskov is eventually brought safely to London. Unfortunately Koskov is abducted by Necros, a ruthless killer. M, Bond's Boss, suspecting the KGB, sends Bond to serve a termination warrant on General Pushkin, who is known to be in Tangiers with a trade Delegation.

Before doing this, Bond decides to return to Bratislava to try to get closer to Kara. He does this and discovers Kara is an innocent victim of the Russian General. He also learns of Koskov's involvement with International Arms Dealer Brad Whitaker. In true 007 style, Kara is rescued and taken to Vienna where she succumbs to the Bond charm.

Together with Kara, Bond moves to Tangiers where he eventually confronts General Pushkin in his Hotel. They plan together to trap Koskov and Whitaker.

Bond and Kara are taken prisoners by Koskov and flown to Russian-occupied Afghanistan, but it is not long before Bond breaks free with Kara and Kamran Shah, the leader of a group of Afghan freedom fighters. Together they find out what Koskov and Whitaker are up to - smuggling raw opium.

It is obvious they must be stopped, so the support of Kamran's rebel group, they overcome masses of Koskov's troops and allies in an attempt to prevent the Opium leaving the country. The final mopping up is at Whitaker's Tangiers villa.

Before each level Bond can choose a weapon. This screen is set in gadget wizard Q's laboratory. The range of weapons varies from level to level; they include gun, bazooka, knife, etc. You have just five seconds to select the weapon. Making the right choice will help you get through the level. Making the wrong one won't make it impossible, just a little more difficult.

The playing area is split into three sections. Foreground, mid-ground and background. Each scrolls left-to-right at a different speed.

Bond himself can run, jump and roll. When shooting, a gun sight appears. This you can move around to target the villains and Bond's gun arm will automatically follow. Hitting the fire button activates Bond's trigger finger.

The game levels are as follows:

1. Level One: Gibraltar
   Bond begins his adventure with a test of the defences on the island of Gibraltar. He must match his wits against the skills of the SAS.
2. Level Two: The Lenin People's Music Conservatory
   You must get the Russian defector Koskov away from his KGB guards without injuring any of the music lovers enjoying the show inside. Koskov will follow you but it is up to you to defend him
3. Level Three: The Pipeline
   Now you must smuggle Koskov past the pipe workers and send him on his way down the Trans-Siberian pipeline. Watch out for the Russian guards and the added danger of falling pipes.
4. Level Four: The Mansion House
   Once you have managed to rescue Koskov somebody wants him back! The ruthless killer Necros tries to snatch Jim back from the British Secret Service.
5. Level Five: The Fairground
   You have to meet your fellow agent but Necros, now even more desperate, has followed you and he has orders to kill!
6. Level Six: Tangiers
   Your mission to find the missing Koskov takes you to the rooftops of Tangiers where you must battle for your life.
7. Level Seven: The Military Complex
   Trapped in the desert of Afghanistan in the desert of Afghanistan in the middle of a Russian Air Base. No problem for 007!
8. Level Eight: Whitaker's House
   You finally meet the Mastermind behind the dastardly ploy - Brad Whitaker the American Arms Dealer and military historian. He unleashes all the power of his arsenal against you, you must fight through to reach him.

After the rather sorry effort which Domark released as A View To A Kill, they vowed that The Living Daylights must be good.

Well it must be said that their latest Bond outing is considerably better. But that wouldn't be too hard. When it comes down to it, this is really just a scrolling shoot-'em-up which could be fixed to any licence or name. That doesn't make it a bad game. It is in fact quite playable and enjoyable.