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Here you, the Molecule Man, looking not unlike a Corona bubble having failed its fizzical, are lost in the middle of a 3D maze.

Your goal is to escape via the teleporter, which can be found somewhere within the 256 rooms. However, in order to use the teleporter you must collect sixteen circuits from around the maze.

At the off, the clock ticks the seconds by and radiation starts gnawing away at you.

Protective pills must be found quickly, or you'll be an ex-bubble inside a minute. They can be bought from dispensers found along the way, using money conveniently lying around on the floor, though often hidden by the blocks of the maze.

Taking the money, you must then locate a dispenser and buy protection. Your protective units increase by 20 for each coin used, up to a maximum of 99.

After you have attained 99 units the dispenser will still take your money, but no further protection is bought.

Bombs can also be bought from similar dispensers and used to blast through some parts of the maze that block your way, but not all.

If you are low on cash you will have to decide whether to spend on explosives or an extra lease of life. Holdings of pills, bombs, coins, circuits and time remaining are shown at the bottom of the screen.

The graphics are nicely drawn, but the game does lose out for not using colour, being drawn in white on a black background. There is a large blank border, meaning that a considerable proportion of the screen remains unused, which was again, a slight annoyance.

The numbers and positions of any or all of the graphic characters within the game are redefinable, including your starting position. Although editing the maze is easy enough, if a little long-winded, it is a worthwhile extra.

I do feel the game could be improved by the use of colour, better use of sound and a more consistent pace to the play. Even so, Molecule Man is still very enjoyable and, at under £2, better than many available at five times that price.