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The instructions for Alpha-Omega's latest are sparse, to say the least. But then you'll have to play the game for only a minute to see that they're all you need. The game is a straightforward exploration type, where you just have to search for objects and blast lots of aliens on the way.

The task is to collect the four missing pieces of your time machine that are scattered about the planet Oxijenless. I'll bet you can't guess what you run out of during the game, can you?

Three aliens materialise on each screen, which will also contain at least one exit and some superfluous graphics. Going through the doorways flicks you to another screen. There are several basic designs for the screens, representing different areas like caves and the planet surface.

The three aliens are the same on every screen but have different characteristics. Two of them are slow-moving and cannot be destroyed. The third is fast and homes in on you, but can be killed by your hefty missiles. This only gets rid of him temporarily, though; he rematerialises a few seconds later.

As you race through the screens the oxygen supply has to be kept up by collecting objects. Curiously these take the form of money - perhaps there's a friendly oxygen seller lurking around.

There's also an axe to be found. This allows you access to other areas of the game.

The graphics are reasonable, but the animation of the characters isn't very good. The gameplay is fairly repetitive - just running around searching and shooting. The playing area is quite large, however, so there's a fair bit to keep you exploring.

Not bad for those of you who love doing maps; not good if you want a bit of variety.

Lots of screens to hunt around in all very similar, though. Even the characters are the same from screen to screen; they are fairly drab and flicker at all the wrong times. It's a budget game, and it shows.

25%

There wasn't much colour to start with, but everything is clear.

P. A lot of screens to explore.
P. Conserving oxygen won't be easy.

N. Very repetitive searching and shooting.
N. Unimpressive characters and animation.