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If I am right, the Ultra will prove to be one of the great Oric software successes of 1983.

Devastatingly simple in concept, it nevertheless has that indefinable ability to compel you to have just one more attempt to try and fight your way through its 16 separate screens.

The task, starting with just five lives, is to meet the challenge of The Ultra, and evil race of mutant aliens who have challenged you to a battle to the death in outer space.

After an impressive hyperspace warp to the battlezone, you do battle with a host of Pac-Man style characters, while continually being bombed.

Screen two has Space Invader-type aliens, screen three rolling coloured cubes and screen four yellow blobs that constantly change in size.

So far I have still to get past screen six - but the challenge of finding what the remaining screens are hiding keeps me going night after night. Use of graphics is among the best so far for the Oric.

The Ultra provides extra lives at 2,000 and 10,000 points - and you will need them - along with sound level selection, an Ultra Hi-Score feature with an attractive sideways-scrolling title and clear instructions.

A must for Oric owners.

S.I.