Target Renegade is a game for one or two players that is rooted firmly in the tried and tested traditions of the jump-up-and-down-and-kick-'em-in-the-peripherals school of computer games.
Even the instructions are written in that style so beloved of Hollywood promotions executives and
voice-over artists who have had their larynxes replaced by gravel-filled buckets. You know the sort of thing: He's back - meaner, tougher and thirsting for revenge! Thirsting for a large dose of cough linctus is more like it.
The revenge for which you are thirsting concerns Mr Big, the notorious gangland boss who has murdered your brother in his usual gruesome style. Presumably, if he had done it nicely all would have been well.
You must now move into action and make your way through the various levels to your final confrontation.
The game takes place in the seedy city of Scumville which, from its description and the action that follows, appears to be located somewhere near the ACU offices in Brentwood.
The opponents you encounter on each level vary, and different strategies will be required in order to win through.
No violent stereotype has been ignored. Gangs of motor cyclists attempt to run you over in a multistorey car park and must be kicked off their bikes before you can deal with them; vicious ladies of the night will try to beat you in a seedy
street; a gang of skinheads attempt to kick you to a pulp in a park; fans of the Beasty Boys attack you with bricks, and finally - before you can tackle Mr Big himself - you are faced by his gang of vicious henchmen.
The controls are straightforward - basically, if you move the joystick you will hit, punch or knee
something - and are redefinable for keyboard use. The locations are appropriately seedy and are portrayed adequately by the level of graphics.
I have never been a fan of games which involve violence, and nothing else. Also some mention is made in the instructions of the need for strategy. I'm afraid the strategic subtleties of a knee in the groin escape me. This is no more than average example of the type of thing which has never caused me to question my initial feelings of dislike.