There's an unreleased Atari XE/XL game from 1994, which is finally being readied for its public debut after the original development disk was uncovered. It's called Scorched Earth, which is based on Artillery Duel, released for the Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Atari 2600 way back in 1983.

Taking control of one of two armoured tanks at either side of a mountainous region, you must aim your fire power at the opposing tank after selecting through and purchasing the available munitions. As you only have a limited supply of cash to begin with, you must work out the best and most effective arsenal before the battle commences, with the obvious consideration being that the better weapons are more expensive.

There is directional wind, which seems to be the only environmental factor to take into account during play. It isn't clear from the information currently available if there's a CPU-controlled player, but this sort of entertainment software is better with company anyway.

Despite having its roots in 1983, Scorched Earth is based on a Commodore Amiga shareware game, from 1994, called Scorched Tanks, but with simpler graphics, not that the aforementioned Miggy production was anything to shout about in the visual department. Anyway, good gameplay is what's important, isn't it? To find out more, head over to tinyurl.com/ScorchedTanks

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The eagerly awaited Soulless, designed by Trevor Storey, coded by Georg Rottensteiner, and with music by Mikkel Hastrup, is finally available for the Commodore 64 thanks to a joint venture between Psytronik Software and RGCD.

This vast and detailed 2D platform and explorer game tells the story of the mighty Warrior King Rizek, who forged a frail peace across his realm. A secret plot was enacted by his warmongering generals, who planned to overthrow Rizek's rule, and an malevolent and sadistic wizard cursed the sovereign using unholy proud and handsome liege had now taken a beastly form with his human soul taken from him.

Many loyal subjects turned on the beast, and the king found himself locked away in a tomb while a bitter and unending war ravaged the lands. A millennium passed before the chance came to escape the tomb and an earthquake turned his jail to rubble, which he fortunately survived. And now is the time to reclaim his human soul and bring peace to the land once more.

This game is available on cassette tape and disk from Psytronik, and cartridge from RGCD. As usual with Psytronik projects, the premium versions of the game will include lush extras, such as an A3-sized poster and a special companion CD-ROM and a 14-page comic, which are available to purchase separately at any time. Further information is available from Psytronik and RGCD.