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Working for the Cobra Steel Company, your task is to prove youreslf the best pilot in the fleet by collecting as much ore as possible from the metal planet. You have competition from three pilots of an opposing company who are also out to prove themselves. It's well within the bounds of decent business practice to capture or destroy their ships. Whichever ore grabber has the most minerals when take-off time comes is the winner of the game. Take-off time is dictated by the approaching high tide which eventually swamps the whole planet.

Two to four players (either human or computer-controlled) may take part in the race for previous raw materials, with each proudly ransacking the planet under his company's flag. The flag is either chosen from those provided in the game or you may design your own pennant.

The unsuspecting world about to be raped of its mineral content is made up of 37 x 23 hexes from which players choose a suitable landing site for their freighter. Once you've landed, take-off is not allowed until either 21 or 25 turns have been taken - this is decided before play commences.

Each freighter carries Destroyers that include attack boats, tanks, supertanks and three fixed turrets. To blast enemy vehicles off the face of the planet two or your Destroyers must be within range (normally two hexes distance). However, by manoeuvring alongside enemy vehicles they may be captured rather than destroyed, adding their booty to your own. As well as Destroyers, you have Transporters such as barges to carry items across water and crabs to carry items over land. It's these Transporters that pick up the vital ore scattered over the planet.

Your most important vehicle, however, is a Weather Hen. This transforms ore into tanks, crabs or pontoons (used to bridge rivers) and also predict tides. High tides immobilise land vehicles as low tides strand boats, so it's useful to be able to forecast water levels; the more Hens you have, the further forward you can predict tides.

During which turn all players have their go which takes from one to nine minutes - decided at the start of play. You're allowed 15 energy points per go to allocate to moving craft, transforming ore and so on. Any points saved during a go can be used next time round.

Based on the board game of the same name, Full Metal Planete is certainly very playable, easy to get to grips with and interesting enough to please veteran strategists as well as those new to the genre.

Playing against computer opponents is quite a challenge as each has its own characteristics, but the real fun is in battling against humans. Detailed graphics and unusual sound effects add to the alien atmosphere of this slick, if basic, game. Playing Full Metal Planete will fill you with ore.