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It may be another space shoot-'em-up, but this one makes up in slick graphics and smooth, fast action what it lacks in originality.

Those pesky aliens are at it again - they are about to destroy Starbase Astromeda. Many of your fellow astronauts have been cast adrift in space and it is your task to pick them all up.

While you're about it, you must avoid deadly meteorites and annihilate the marauding alien hordes on your way to smashing their mothership. And all this before breakfast and with one hand tied behind your back, I suppose?

The game shows an overhead view of a ten screenwide playing area, set against black and starry heavens. You pilot your twin-cannoned craft from left to right while the scenery scrolls smartly and smoothly to the east.

In front of the backdrop is a huge and impressive grey, metallic-looking ship, presumably the mothership. I can't say for sure because I never completed the ten screens.

When you see the number and speed of the aliens and meteorites coming at you from the right, perhaps you, too, will have a few problems making it through to the climax. Don't forget that you're supposed to pick up your compatriots as they free-fall past your portholes.

There are ten types of aliens but you do have the capability of dropping one or your wipe-out bombs when the going gets rough. Trouble is, they don't come cheap - you have to amass 10,000 points to get another. You'll also get an extra life with every 10,000 points as well.

The game is for play with joysticks only. Sound effects are pretty good and complement the clean graphics, marking a nicely polished product.

One of the better space arcade games around and at a budget price too. Astromeda is well worth a whirl.