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Strategy games have always had a bad public relations problem - probably something to do with the genre requiring a modicum of intelligence rather than quick reflexes and a distended, warty thumb. To counter this aversion programmers try combining elements of other game types with a strategy format. So far the results have fallen short of the mark and these games have remained the property of people with huge, funny-shaped dice and the complete set of JRR Tolkein books. Breach 2 attempts to redress the balance.

You command a crack squad of futuristic do-or-die marines sent out on various missions. You move your men around an isometrically portrayed landscape by icon control and fight, blow up and generally annoy enemies in order to carry out your long term objectives. These objectives range from simply capturing the enemy to battling with aliens.

Gameplay is surprisingly quick considering that it's played in a series of rounds. Each member of the squad has a number of moves allocated per round. These are used up by moving through the landscape and carrying out actions such as firing a gun. The number of moves each member of the squad gets depends on their health, encumbrance and vitality.

In order to carry out your objective each squad member is kitted out with essentials such as anti-grav boots, laser rifles and crack units. Before you start worrying about drug-crazed marines (no, this isn't Vietnam), the latter is in fact hacking equipment used in conjunction with computer terminals to get floor plans of buildings.

Moving men is fiddly. First you choose the individual by holding down ALT and pressing the mouse button. Then you need to click the mouse on the man and draw a dashed flashing line to where you want him to go. The length of the line depends on how many moves that squad member has and the direction is affected by the landscape and buildings. If you place the line incorrectly then it's necessary to retrace the line and re-route it. The situation isn't helped by the difficulty in seeing the line on certain backgrounds such as the forest.

To shoot a member of the enemy, point the squad member in the right direction by pressing Shift Z and choose the appropriate weapon for the job. These include a laser pistol, a laser rifle, a neutron bomb and a rocket launcher.

Firing of the lasers is flexible, though the range is better on the rifle. The rockets have to be accurately launched or they fly (very gracefully) straight past the target but they do have a long range which can be useful.

Other available objects include medikits, detectors, tablets, smoke grenades that incapacitate the enemy for one round, data packs and the very useful laser shield and camouflage suit.

The graphics are very colourful, a relief after years of ZX81 type block graphics effects on other strategy games. The icon control system is clear, nicely drawn and so easy to use that the instruction book is made redundant.

Sound effects are excellent throughout. A sampled Star Trek-like whoosh announces a door opening and the players all scream satisfyingly when blown up.

Enemy groups vary from devastatingly stupid to devastatingly devastating and from humanoid to alienoid. The enemy seriously hamper your progress and possess varying degrees of intelligence adding to the skill required for any one of the ten scenarios. For example, in the "River Crossing" event the enemy are the humanoid marauders who unerringly choose exactly the same tactics as you: even on the beginner's level they can wipe you out.

Breach 2 offers so much action it's bound to appeal to a whole new audience of strategy games enthusiasts. People who enjoyed Dungeon Master, Midwinter, Carrier Command or Xenomorph will love the strategy/action cocktail and the futuristic setting. The ability to build up a squadron leader who can rise through the ranks adds to the game's long term appeal.

The movement of players is frustrating and the save game facility is only available at the end of each round, but these minor criticisms apart from it's a hugely enjoyable game.