Army recruiting officers are no fools - show the lads a clip of a tank in action and they'll join up in droves. But there's no need to take the Queen's shilling if all you want is to take command of a tank - with Tank Commander you can enjoy the thrills without spills.

Driving a tank in the heart of enemy territory, what else could your objective be but to locate and destroy. Missions entail destroying enemy tanks, command posts and fuel dumps, and rescuing one of your agents. Five skill levels, a variety of large battle zones and a two-player option ensure interest is sustained at a high level.

The combat area is impressively big so what you see filling the whole screen at any one time is just a fraction of the battlefield. As your tank rolls around the zone, other parts of the terrain scroll crisply into view. Travel is fastest along roads, slower (but still quite nippy) over open country. Swamps are a real drag, mountains and rivers totally obstructive while mine-fields and gun emplacements are a positive health hazard.

Movement of your small tank and turret can be controlled independently. Both can be rotated clockwise and anti-clockwise and the tank has forward and reverse gears.

Should a tree or a civilian's house lie in your path, you may prefer to go around them rather than blast them out of your way, and not just because you're really a sentimental old fool under that macho exterior. More practically, you'll need all the ammo you have to deal with more aggressive objects than bungalows and beeches. For example, enemy tanks come homing in on you, letting rip with shells to leave you in no doubt that 'make love, not war' isn't their favourite philosophy.

You should have no compunction about demolishing enemy command posts though, but do make sure it's not one of your own - not only will HQ be a trifle miffed but you'll also lose your only source of fuel and ammo replenishment.

Occasionally, an enemy aircraft will arrive with guns blazing - you can't shoot it down but must try to get out of the way. You can summon and control an aircraft of your own to protect you - but you've got to be very quick.

Thundering guns, gigantic playing area, smooth scrolling, bags of action and plenty of variety add up to a heck of a good game. Quick march to your local store and sign on for this one, you lucky lads.