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Star Raiders was introduced in 1979 when the Atari 400/800 machines were launched, so Star Raiders II represents a landmark in Atari history. Does it shape up, is it worth buying the new one and is it as good as the original?

The answer is yes, but don't buy it expecting a carbon copy game with flashier graphics as it's a modified version of the unreleased The Last Starfighter.

Seven years on and the Zylons are up to their old tricks, this time with better weapons. They have improved their defences and have the capacity to introduce more ships into the fray.

To defeat them you will have to protect the cities of the Velos IV star system and destroy the attack bases of the Procyon star system, where the Zylons build their new ships.

Each star system has a number of planets with cities or attack bases and to succeed you will have to warp between and around the systems.

There is a new graphic representation of the star systems, with planets, moons and suns, looking more like pages from a colour encyclopedia than a computer game. Also shown are space stations and Zylon squadrons in transit.

When you select a planet on the System Chart you're given a lot of information, including the number of cities or attack bases there, the type of terrain and the number of enemy ships surrounding it.

When you warp there the planet is represented as a scrolling landscape below you.

Liberty Star doesn't handle too well in combat. She doesn't seem to turn at all and there is no aft view.

She won't pull up or dive when engaging enemy ships and you can't adjust your speed in deep space. The Zylon ships tend to present themselves to be shot down so there is no hunting in this game.

A different type of enemy ship appears when a predetermined number of lower types are destroyed. Be careful: I have often hit a Fly Fighter, seen it catch fire, and then had it fire back at me in its death throes.

Docking is fully automated which is just as well as your ship has very small fuel tanks.

Refuelling and repairs take a large portion of your time but there is no penalty (save losing a city or two) at judgement time.

I heartily recommend this game, probably the best to have appeared since Star Raiders I. The number of tasks involved mean that any limitations are satisfactorily overcome.