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Vortex is a fast 3D space shoot-out, where waves of attacking alien ships speed towards you from the centre of the screen, fire, and pass on. The display uses the Beeb's high resolution mode and is in black and white.

You control your craft, positioned at the bottom of the screen, using the 'A' and 'S' keys to move left and right. Your speed increases steadily the longer you manage to stay alive as you plunge through space, subject to the irresistible attraction of a black hole.

After each attack wave you find yourself in the middle of an asteroid storm. Your lasers are inoperative and the asteroids roar out from the centre of the screen. They are not easy to avoid and, like everything else, they get faster as the game progresses. Collision loses you one of your three lives.

The sound effects are particularly effective at this stage of the game, but there is a silent play option should you grow tired of them.

Vortex is a fast, exciting game with some of the better 3D effects available on the Beeb. Recommended.