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Zynaps is the work of Dominic Robinson, the wizard behind the Spectrum conversion of Uridium - the game nobody thought would make it to the Speccy. The job he did was nothing short of brilliant.

And so to Zynaps. Well, it looks good, plays well but it won't break new grounds for originality.

What you've basically got is 450 screens of sideways scrolling shoot-'em-up set in deep space, packed with aliens, rockets, missiles and all the traditional ingredients. Ultimately, you've got to reach the alien stronghold.

You fly a Mark One Scorpion Attack Fighter, equipped with the ability to find and pick up additional weapons and scoop up fuel from wrecked craft.

The Scorpion's main drive units operate at four power levels ranging from low power for delicate control in tight spaces, to a maximum setting for high-speed combat in deep space.

Weapons available are:

1. Pulse lasers
   Good for heavy-duty alien blasting. These wing-mounted lasers also have for power settings.
2. Plasma bombs
   Two independent bomb throwers provide awesome destructive power against ground-based targets.
3. Homing missiles
   These self-propelled missiles carry scaled-down planet-busting warheads and, once locked onto target, will destroy almost any large alien craft.
4. Seeker missiles
   The ultimate in intelligence weaponry. Seeker missiles carry automatic target acquisition circuitry designed to lock onto any target they are able to destroy.
5. The fuel scoop
   Provides the power to activate the Scorpion's main systems.

I must admit I found it a little annoying on the first level to get a decent way into the game, then getting killed and then having to start again right back at the beginning. Frustrating, I understand, however, that this does not happen on all the levels.

Apart from that I can find little wrong with Zynaps. It's a nifty little game.