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Ledgeman seems at first sight to be a rather elementary platform game. In fact it's the most varied and compulsive platform game I've ever played on the BBC Micro.

The loading screen scrolls the brief instructions and the controls (not redefinable) across a teletext display, and once loaded offers controls for music and sound effects and the selection of one of three levels of difficulty. The music is a suitably manic rendition of part of the William Tell overture, and should be turned off if you're playing late at night.

The first screen shows a number of ledges and ladders, interspersed with large, multi-coloured Hydra and pulsating rectangles. Avoid the Hydra and take all the rectangles to move on. The second instalment has lots of ledges, but nothing to stop you grabbing the goodies - until the clock, which limits the time on each screen, reaches quarter past. Then fireballs drop from the roof, destroying platform sections and you if you get in the way. If you don't move fast on this screen you'll be stranded.

The third screen has a number of wheels rolling about the place, Donkey Kong style. These have to be avoided or jumped over. On screen four you have to board moving ledgers like passing trains.

Screen five involves the falling fireballs once again and a number of conveyors as well. Screen six has a spiral of ledges and ladders which seem simple until an explosion in the centre sends all kinds of debris bouncing about the place. The last screen is almost entirely conveyors with Hydra. After seven screens you return to the beginning and the skill level is increased. An excellent game with a lot of variety.