It might be unusual to associate 'heavy metal' with bearded geeks and a fetish for tin cans, but fortunately that's only the mechanically minded android-lovers who build robots in the BBC TV series. Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction challenges you to battle for survival in a huge arena infested with metal monsters. The game has a few novel features not seen in the TV series, but with a commentary by Jonathan Pearce you may find it hard to differentiate between the two.

Entering Competition mode gives you the opportunity to either buy a regular automaton from a range of seven or build your own metal maniac from a selection of components that are on sale. This could be fun but, with only a small start-up cash allowance and a limited choice of aggressive androids and components, you'll be at an immediate disadvantage in battle. It makes you an easy target against the brutal House Robots and hinders your opportunity to gain points and improve your bodywork.

The Arcade mode allows you to get off to a better start with a choice of eight mini-games and eight arenas in which to play. It also includes a four-player option. Endurance gives you the chance to play co-operatively as you and your partner aim to fight off the slow but progressive onslaught of those tin-can terrors.

The object of Robot Football is pretty self-explanatory, but the metal-mangling House Robots seem to be programmed for one single thing: total carnage. This somehow defeats the purpose of the game, and as you desperately attempt to achieve the impossible by retrieving the football that's stuck in the corner, you find yourself thoroughly trashed.

The arenas range from the Robot Wars TV Studio to a Siberian Military Base. However, access is limited in Arcade mode (at least until you've played through Competition mode). Environments are diverse and attractive, and if you listen carefully to the wise words of Jonathan Pearce you'll steer clear of any nasty booby-traps. The interactive tube train and escalator in the New York Subway, for example, are death routes and only serve to punish an adventurous nature.

The dual analogue control is effective as it works like a radio-control handset, but tends to be slightly over-sensitive. Explosions suffer from a slow frame rate, especially in the Collateral Damage mini-game. However, the robots look realistic along with the effects of damage, whether it be an engine burn-out or a violent loss of weaponry. Your prized mean machine is often left completely defenceless and terminally useless, and robot-building fanatics may find this game a tear-jerking experience.

For the rest of you though, Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction is a bit more scrap heap than extreme scrap.

1. Realistic damage
2. Flamethrowers look impressive
3. True to the series

1. Repetitive gameplay
2. Over-sensitive pad
3. Too difficult to get started

Power
The graphics are functional. Good first-person view, but visually lacklustre overall.

Style
Jonathan Pearce's informative commentary adds authenticity. And at least it's not Craig Charles.

Immersion
Can be very repetitive with few rewards. Frankly, it gets boring quite quickly.

Lifespan
Customising your robot is a nice addition... if you can survive with the limited choice of components.

Summary
Generally, an unsatisfying game. The robots are hard to control, often dropping you into the grasp of Sir Killalot.