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Not much fun being lost in space with only a packet of cheese and onion Wheeties and a computer that sounds like HAL for company, especially when you're almost out of fuel and earth is fourteen light years in the wrong direction. Normal lifeforms might feel a little distraugh in such a situation but you, brave pilot, are made of stronger stuff.

Besides, there is a ray of hope: you've encountered a fleet of twenty crippled Federation star craft and if you can make your way to the furthest one you can take on its load of fuel. So zip on the bakelite space suit, open the airlock and step out onto the good ship Jane Seymour.

BSS Jane Seymour is a space exploration game in much the same vein as Captive. To complete a level and leave a ship you must complete two tasks: first, return power to the ship by replacing the Energy Flux Decoupler widget (so that all the lights, robots and assorted machines can function); and second, find an Inhibit lock which enables you to operate the navigation systems on the bridge.

As you attempt to navigate your way around the ship you must face hazards like the large hostile aliens which want to tear your tongue out through your bottom. There are twenty of these aliens in total, each keen to demonstrate its own macabre party trick. Best to shoot first and ask details later, with all your limbs intact. Besides the aliens there are also irradiated crew members who want to play football with your goolies. The most obvious approach to these poor sods is instant death.

Scattered around the ships are tasty weapons such as a blaster, a shotgun and (most satisfying and effective of all) a flame thrower. On any given level you might also find droids - in any of six varieties (Battle, Sensor, Manitor, Fixit, Rat and Computer Droid) - onto which you can bolt various cartridges to enable them to heal you or detect alien life forms.

The small but detailed graphics follow very much in the footsteps of Dungeon Master. You find information about your status on large and attractive operational screens, and the blow-ups of the recharging machines and various devices are easily operated because the buttons are large. The aliens and rogue humans don't move very well at all but they look suitably crazy, and when they perform their attack routines you're guaranteed a surprise. Sound is standard spot effect style - though there are some decent samples scattered throughout the game.

BSS Jane Seymour offers a challenge Dungeon fans will enjoy, while the updated setting is considerably more interesting than dank dungeon walls. Gameplay and problem solving are well combined so that aliens appear just when you least need them. The difficulty level is also well judged, ensuring that you'll return to the game again and again. The style may be a little hackneyed but the game is lively and addictive.