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Loco was a great game from the self-taught Tony Crowther, written when he was with Alligata. While awaiting (eagerly!) for the follow-up on the Gremlin Graphics label in zoomed Black Thunder courtesy of Quicksilva. Never look a gifthorse in the mouth, even if it is mutton dressed up as lamb. Loco now looks positively homespun by comparison, as you stealthily ease into the purple death mobile.

Your ambition is to escape from the confines of a futuristic city; Mr. Nasty's aim is to keep you there. As you make a dash for it, it dawns on you that droid tanks are careering towards you; helicopters and missiles are tracking from behind and somewhere above are malevolent UFOs, which seem indestructible from where I'm standing.

You're bristling with shells, a forward and a rear gun (you control the altitude of fire on this one) and you can look forward to grabbing further supplies of ammo en route. Put up a defensive umbrella, but be cagey.

The screen is divided horizontally: the lower portion is a scrolling radar display of the road network (which makes Spaghetti Junction look like a slip road) showing your position and the approach of danger. The business half is a constantly moving panorama of the cityscape with the interceptors superimposed. You can watch your missiles launch, judge their height and thrill to direct hits.

Apart from a tingling tune the program speaks to you: "Get ready"; "Get over"; "Your score is...", which gives it an arcade feel, but may also get on your nerves after a while.

Tony Crowther's next game will also be on the Quicksilva label.