Tally-ho, chaps! There are bogeys at 10 o'clock, so it's chocks away as you strap yourself into your 'rauser' and soar into the bright blue yonder to blast every bally bandit you can see. Just keep your eyes on the skies... if you're not careful, you'll end up in the drink...

LuftrauserZ (with a distinguishing 'Z') is a demake of the classic, similarly-named indie PC shooter, Luftrausers. Rather than being a scenario-based shoot-'em-up, LuftrauserZ offers an array of mini-missions for the player to attempt on a rolling basis. Each game features three objectives, some of which are far more challenging than others. For instance, you may simply be required to score 1,000 points or kill five enemy fighters in one game... tasks a pilot of your calibre should be able to complete with his eyes closed.

Others, though, are a bit trickier to accomplish or may need to be accumulated over a number of games. You may be asked to 'kill' a boat or, say, six enemy jets in total... objectives that a novice pilot may struggle with. However, the rewards are worth it...

Your basic plane is nicely manoeuvrable but its firepower and armour is a little weak. Damage is shown by way of a changing border colour, and you can repair the plane by simply not firing. A more capable rauser makes things easier though, and the completion of certain tasks rewards the player with a new weapon, engine or body part for the plane. There are over 100 such parts to earn, making customisation and experimentation a huge part of the game. Progress can be saved, so you need never lose that favourite loadout.

As you become progressively more tooled-up you'll find yourself having to deal with massive, heavily-armed ships, bigger enemy planes and surprisingly hardy blimps (surely one or two shots to their balloon should be enough to send them packing?!). Still, this is what you signed up for. Get yourself up there, take out those rotters, don't cop a packet then it's back to mumsie's for tea, cakes and jolly banter. Spiffing, what?

Buoyant is the best word I can think of to describe LuftrauserZ. Not just for the way the plane reacts as you duck, dodge, dive and decimate but also for the pace of the game, constant onslaught and the overall fun of it all. Sure it looks pretty basic but it has fast-moving gameplay and bounces along with great tunes to shoot the enemies down to. This conversion really captures the feel of the original, even if inevitably there aren't as many bullets filling the screen. With that in mind, don't think there isn't a challenge to it, the enemy planes swarm all over you soon enough, taking on the armed boats is not easy given the speed of the game, and the jets shoot by in the blink of an eye.

There's also a very nice structure to the game with progressively harder goals you need to meet in order to get those upgrades you just can't wait to try. It's a very addictive blast, instantly playable and has a difficulty pitched just about right. Highly recommended.

LuftrauserZ is merciless yet fun, a chaotic assault on the senses, where joysticks are sorted as Competition Pros from the Quickshot IIs.

At the same time, this is another game that belies the cartridge format as it pulls graphics data on the fly to keep the action at a frantic pace. Frantic being an understatement at times! Having the border change colour to indicate damage levels is a very good design choice for easy understanding.

The variety of body, gun and engine parts that can be earned means everyone can find a combination that works for them, albeit the levels and goals are structured in such a fashion that altering your play style is a requisite for success. It is uncompromisingly taxing and challenging, that while right up my alley will unduly frustrate many people as a result, and for that reason just falls short of greatness.

I played Vlambeer's Luftrausers a lot when it was released for the PC but I never expected to see a Commodore 64 version. And yet, now that it's here, it's a perfect fit. It's a simple shooter on the face of it, but there's so much depth in terms of weapons and plane customisation that it keeps you coming back for more.

Initially, it's difficult, with the control method taking some mastering, but once you've got the hang of it you'll be swooping through the skies taking out those rotten bandits and giving all kinds of bad guys "what for". The trend for "demaking" PC games on the C64 has produced some superb titles but LuftrauserZ tops them all and really shouldn't be missed.

Presentation 91%
Plenty of useful options and very effective use of the C64's technology.

Graphics 77%
Not particularly detailed sprites, but everything is very smooth and fast-moving and the menu screens are very good.

Sound 74%
A rousing title track also plays in-game, along with a couple of other decent tunes.

Hookability 95%
The action is exciting, but it's the constant unlocking of new parts that is hugely enjoyable.

Lastability 92%
Tons of mini-objectives will keep you in the air for weeks!

Overall 90%
An exceptional, almost miraculous conversion of a great PC shoot-'em-up.