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What a treat! A double dose of platform fun from the Darling boys this month! And, if I'm not mistaken, the second attempt this month to launch a new rival to Dizzy upon this world. However, I can't quite see a fat little viking fellow capturing the collecting imagination of the games-playing public. But, then again, if a stupid egg with a safari hat can do it...

As I've just revealed, Spike is a viking. But, as the screenshots testify, he is in fact nothing like the rather svelte young figure performing athletics on the front of the box. Rather he is a short little podgy geezer with a red beard who bears a striking resemblance to Hagar the Horrible.

After a quick perusal of the grammatically nightmarish instruction flysheet, we learn that Spike the viking's pals have been locked away in the dungeons of the local castle, and he has to go and save them. So off we go, walking through the village streets, popping into houses, collecting objects and avoiding these horrible little rat sprites that run around the cobblestones sucking Spike's energy. Unlike Dizzy and Seymour, Spike isn't much of a platform hero - he can't even jump! - but he can move into and out of the semi-3D screens. Other than that, it's much the same story as previous CM efforts. You can have limited chats with characters, give and take objects blah blah blah. Predictable? Yes. Unsophisticated? Yes. Fun? Well... yes, actually.

I didn't enjoy Spike as much as I've enjoyed the Dizzy games because I like a bit of leaping about and Spike's rat dodging isn't quite as much fun. Also, the object manipulation system leaves a bit to be desired, and often results in players picking up the wrong thing, dropping objects they want to keep and so on. Hardened arcade adventurers are unlikely to be challenged, but it's a pleasant enough diversion that, once again, proves that Codemasters know exactly what punters expect for their eight quid.