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UBIsoft is a French software house making its first entry into the UK market with what looks like a distinctive and original game. The plot is simple enough: the dead are coming back to life, and you have to help four of the living stay that way. It's all acted out as an icon-driven adventure in a supermarket.

You start on the roof of the supermarket next to your helicopter, which is badly in need of fuel. Your aim is to refuel the chopper and get away from the hordes of zombies surrounding the store.

The screen is split into several areas showing your location, the icon menu, the character's status and the other characters you can control. The drawings of each location are detailed and atmospheric, with objects and equipment you can use clearly indicated by splashes of colour.

Everything is icon-controlled from a scrolling menu at the bottom of the screen. There's a wide range of options such as moving, using vehicles, picking up and holding objects, using objects, activating equipment, eating, sleeping, opening and closing things, and saving the game. You won't need to use all of them to begin with; it's best to familiarize first with movement and object commands.

As the you explore you run into zombies who initially have to be beaten off by waggling the joystick. But they can be knocked off with weapons if you can find them. There are many objects that will have to be put to use to get out again, and this is tough because of the continual attention of the zombies.

It will take some time to get into the game but it has a lot to offer m the way of detailed atmospheric graphics, unusual game control and tough tasks. Not for those who like a game that's easy to get to grips with.

Zombi sounds as though it could be a smash. Unfortunately lack of instructions and bugs (at least in the review copy) are its downfall - anybody know what the 'Safeguard' disk is? From the opening title screen, you expect to be in for a treat. I suppose in a way you are, if you can figure out what to do. The graphics and layout are of high quality, the instructions are somewhere in the English Channel and me, I'm confused!

Find some guns

Is hokay - tres bien!

P. Detailed atmospheric graphics.
P. Interesting icon system with lots of options.
P. Tough task with lots of depth.
P. Lots to explore and discover.

N. Difficult to get into.
N. Instructions haven't translated well.