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I'm not sure if the world needs another air combat simulator, but if it does it may as well come from MicroProse as anywhere else.

You've all mastered F15 Strike Eagles and Spitfires so now you're ready to move onto tearing about the skies in pursuit of Mig 15s whilst at the controls of machines inferior in just about every way possible. You have to use superior flying skills to stay alive.

This simulation gives you a number of options such as the Battle for Busan which puts you in charge of an F80 Shooting Star to defend infantry from attack by fighter bombers. Basically, whatever option you choose, you're tearing around the skies shooting everything in sight.

The controls are much the same as any other flight simulator with the joystick angles responding to banking left and diving as any other simulation would. Your screen display is split into two cockpit views. This is either for an opponent to fly head-to-head or the computer. The one drawback to this approach is that if you keep an eye on your opponent's display you can take evasive action when you're being lined up in the sights.

Instrumentation is simple and sparse, with dials and flashing lights to indicate air speed, radar, low altitude, altimeter and ammo status. Also useful is an exhaust gas temperature indicator. When this starts flashing you know you've taken enough hits to be in trouble. Whatever you do, made sure you enter your authenticate codes when you play, though, otherwise the plane won't function properly.

The gameplay is good with fairly frantic bursts of activity. Not only are you up against the enemy but also against time. Your ammo is also limited, so you need to wait your moment coolly rather than blast away when your prey is on the edge of the radar screen. It's a bit of a problem trying to overhaul a plane that's faster than you so you have to lure one back if it's too far ahead.

Mig Alley Ace is certainly up to standard as far as MicroProse goes, but it's not special enough to go out and buy if you've got something you're satisfied with. The graphics are only just above average. Still to come from MicroProse are Hellcat Ace, a Second World War Pacific air combat simulator, and Wingman, another jet fighter simulation.