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I.C.U.P.S. is one of those games that, once you have seen the packaging pictures, you are expecting a great game. But don't be fooled. Apart from impeccable graphics and sound tasty sound, it's... awful.

Thor/Odin have produced some top quality software over the years and at first glance I thought I.C.U.P.S. would follow suit. The plot isn't very complex, revolving around a group they've harped on about for ages called I.C.U.P.S., or rather the International Commission of Universal Problem Savers, who're so tough they make the S.A.S. look like the Zzap editorial team.

Being the tough guy you are, you want to get into the team of heroes but, as you can imagine, this isn't very easy. There is not just one, but two tests you must pass before you can start relieving Britain of all its problems.

The first test is just a good ol' shoot-'em-up. You control a small fighter and pilot it safely through three levels of fierce bombardment of missiles by enemy crafts. This features some excellent graphics but other than that has nothing to hold your interest.

When you finally complete that, it's on to the second level which is sort of an arcade adventure but is a fair amount smaller and therefore easy to complete. The object is to obtain four pieces of a computer hidden around the maze but be careful for you only have three chances to do it or the nice men from I.C.U.P.S. will tell you to "Sling yer hook!" without so much as a good reference.

Poor old Thor have obviously slipped up. In all their efforts to create good graphics they forgot all about the game and ended up with... well, you only need to read the ratings.