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General Ironside and his Metal Army have stormed Slough nuclear power station and planted a timebomb above the reactor. If the bomb explodes it will destroy the reactor together with a large chunk of the surrounding area for good measure.

Some people might think of this as not so much a terrorist action but more a well thought out example of creative town planning. The Mayor of Slough, however, is more than a trifle miffed.

In desperation he has called on the one man - Harry Chainsaw - whose skill, strength, animal cunning and total lack of comprehension make him the ideal person to send on a suicide mission against the deadly automated combat units of the Metal Army.

You control Harry on his mission to locate and deactivate the bomb. As you search through the maze of passages within the power station complex you should beware of the combat units which kill on contact.

Fortunately, the Mayor has seen fit to issue you with a short-range thermoplasma servo-blaster which which will restrain and eventually destroy the mechanoids. In these days of turbulent town hall politics, this is obviously a handy object to keep tucked within your ceremonial robes and beats waving a mace about as a form of self defence any day.

When necessary, your blaster's energy level may be recharged from one of the flashing power points. Additional hazards to watch out for are the coolant gases, electric charges and spent fuel rods that the reactor's automated systems regularly discharge. These will also prove fatal if touched.

One big niggle: In order to gain access to certain parts of the complex you will need to collect security passes. These are easy to spot as they are coloured green. Maybe, one day, games programmers will remember that not everyone has a colour monitor.

That apart, Metal Army is an addictive game that is easy to learn but hard to master. It combines plenty of action with graphics that are eye catching and colourful. A remarkably good game and excellent value.

There is nothing startlingly new about Metal Army, but at budget prices you don't expect innovation. This is a fun game which is really all you want. It is also addictive - I sat up into the wee small hours over a cup of cold cocoa having "just one more go".