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A revolution is in progress. Dissatisfied with being exploited by road users for the menial task of signalling a turn, these small orange lights have decided to fight against oppression. No more will they be misused by the young and foolish driver or not used at all by the doddering old fool. The time has come for the Vindicators to rise up and be fre... [Er Andy, could I stop you there a moment? I think possibly you're confusing the words Vindicators and indicators - Ed].

If the truth be known, Vindicators is a futuristic shoot-'em-up. The year is 2525, the venue is galaxy number TR15, the mission is to defeat the evil Tangent Empire who, (Ho Hum) are trying to invade. So far so good. Now, presumably, I have to enlist all my armed forces to defeat the scoundrels. No?

Oh I see, so I take an elite force of maybe twenty or thirty troops trained in space combat. No? Ah, so what you're saying is it's me and a tank, fine.

From the confines of your heavily-armoured tank, you set off to destroy the Tangent Empire's 14 space stations, starting with the weediest and working through increasingly tough fortifications. Console owners control their tanks with joystick only while the rest of you are faced with tackling the spacebar as well. Left and right rotates the tank while forward and back - shock horror - move you forwards and back. Pressing Fire activates the laser cannon with which you are equipped at the start of the game. More potent firepower can be activated by pressing both fire buttons (or fire plus space on the normal C64).

So, suitably tanked up, it's off to the first level, then level two, followed closely by level three... and so on right up until level 14. Basically, there's not an awful lot of variety between levels.

The space stations are viewed from overhead, each station being distinguishable by its floor pattern. Some levels have gaping chasms in the floor which reveal the 'timeless whirls of space' beyond. These pitfalls are harmless and serve only to restrict movement and look pretty. Walls perform the same task and provide simplistic formulations which make your route through the space station more elaborate and consequently more difficult.

Each level scrolls from top to bottom as you move through it. The idea is to find the key and which opens the end of level exit. Opponents come in the form of tanks (like your own), gun turrets (stationary but deadly) and a flying brooch... Well, it's not supposed to be a brooch but it does look uncannily like one of those tarnished monstrosities your great aunt used to wear.

It's by far the most powerful opponent. Not only does it fly overhead firing volleys of laser shots but it avoids your return fire with ease. Space station floors are littered with objects; some good, some bad. Nominated for this year's Pretty Bad Object award is the land mine. In fact, some space stations are almost nothing more than minefields with a bit of floor space thrown in for good measure.

Falling into the Good Object category are small, shimmering stars which are just begging to be picked up. They act like cash with which you can buy extra shields, speed, firepower and cannon bombs from the end of level shop.

Vindicators is an average game. There is a simultaneous two player option but this only marginally increases the fun. Occasional play may prove enjoyable but nothing more. The gameplay is a fairly accurate translation of the Tengen coin op, but the original was repetitive.

The graphics are adequate, but given that this is a cartridge game, a lot more could have be done with it. The screens you get between levels aren't exciting enough to have you chomping at the bit. Sound effects are also competent. OK, Domark have been been vindicated [ungh - Ed] but only just.

1. Gameplay too holds no thrill after the first few levels, it's all just more of the same.
2. Controls can at times be awkward and thus prove annoying.
3. Limited amount of opponents again causes boredom to set in very quicky. Seen one and you've seen 'em all.
4. Ultimately not much of a challenge.

1. Two player option provides a more interesting game.
2. Faithful conversion will satisfy fans of the arcade machine.
3. Competently assembled.
4. Purchase of bonus items at the shop adds another facet saving the game from being below average.