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Ever since I saw Rod Steiger storming around as Napoleon I've been interested in this battle. Unlike most wargames for the computer you do not command the British side or the historical winners, yep, you get lumbered with being Napoleon.

Although cast as the underdogs, a few liberties have been taken in order to enhance the playability of the game, the French army has been increased to five corps of infantry instead of four, and the Prussian army will arrive earlier than in reality to make your task a little more dificult. Purists may not approve.

The game is played by means of graphics and single key presses form a series of option menus. This allows for an unexpected variety of actions to be taken quickly and easily.

The playing area was a little small and at first I was confused due to the booklet map being printed with the French army at the bottom and the English at the top, but on-screen the map is rotated 90 degrees clockwise. I spent quite a while trying to move the wrong army!

Once I began to play properly I soon mastered the first, and easiest, of the three levels and achieved a decisive victory on my second play. For what appears a simple, slow, intellectual exercise I found it unaccountably gripping and addictive.

Not tonight Josephine, I'm going to have another whack at Wellington.