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According to the rubric, in this sequel "you take the role of the Ninja's beautiful sister". No doubt she'll be after you to get it back shortly, but just at the moment she's busy avenging her fatally wounded but not beautiful) brother.

He got his bucket kicked while infiltrating the dictator's central security building to steal a computer disc containing a list of rebel leaders. It also happened to contain details of the glorious leader's huge missile silo.

Reflecting on El Dicto's peculiar filing system, our heroine goes for a good venge in the murky passageways surrounding the huge missile.

The game opens on a hang glider from which the Ninjarette is suspended. A quick drop later, and she's ready to do battle with the security system. This depends on massive android guards with flame throwers, deadly black pumas and those mainstays of security forces around the world, the vampire bats. And you thought the disc filing system was a bit odd.

Readers with a penchant for David Attenborough might imagine that the fearless and highly trained guardbats wait for intruders to settle down for a quick kip, then swoop down and suck 'em dry. As your average vampire bat consumes some 10 millilitres of blood per day, there would need to be about 350 to really finish off the victim within 24 hours. A force to be reckoned with, but it. doesn't bother the lady.

The silo cum command centre is situated atop a remote mountain. Within its walls lie some 700 rooms, in which can be found bits of paper tape. When joined together, these pieces hold a new launch program for the missile which redirects it away from its original target. What better way to avenge a dead sibling, especially when as now) you get paid to do it?

As befits a Ninjarene, the old one-two-kick and physiognomy-mashing phist are second nature to the lass. There are other, more substantial, weapons to be obtained in the cavernous interior of the silo. Nothing quite as pokey as a flame-thrower, but more useful than bare knuckles against the ferocious bats.

There are various computer terminals around the place controlling the lift, perimeter fence and the missile itself. A little hacking will smooth the path to a successful denouement. Following the reprogramming of the whoosh-bang-nasty, an escape in the classic style must be made.

A motorbicycle awaits the lady as she scarpers from the scene. Astride this, she can whizz down the only exit tunnel to freedom, money and a bonus 10000 points.

There are several levels of difficulty, only the most complex of which actually results in the diversion of the missile. As each mission is completed, you are provided with the codeword for the next one.

Will the Avenging Angel pass the panthers, fox the flamethrowers, befuddle the bats, mess up the missile, mount the motorbike and tear off through the tunnel?

Or will she suffer a surfeit of alliterative angst and fail? If I was the dictator, I'd be worried. Heroines really screw you up.

I chose the colour screen option, 'cos I've got a colour monitor. Now, I know that subterfuge usually takes place during the hours of darkness, but black figures against a dark blue background is taking verisimilitude a wee bit too far.

Still, I struggled gamely on with the usual kick/duck/punch against flickery foe, but not being able to see a thing took the edge off the excitement. On penetrating to a better-lit, cavern. I realised that I hadn't been missing much. Ah well.

Durell games have a special feel to them, they are original and use larger than average sprites. Technically Sab II is very clever, but the display chugs a bit - though once you start to get really into the game this doesn't matter too much.

I quite liked the idea of a heroine, but found the colour scheme bad for the eyes. This is the best ladder and platform karate game I've played, it is just a shame that our WAFT cannot handle more than one weapon at a time.

If you missed Sab I you can avail yourself of the free game coupon stuck to the rear of the insert. Truth to tell, I would choose another of the titles on offer. This is a little below par. The graphics are big and juddery, the plot and action well-worn and hackneyed, and the old playability index well down. It might make a good budget game. And then again...