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Into the valley of death rode a bunch of blokes who really should've known better. This strategy game gives you the chance to control either the Allies or Russians during the Battle Of Balaclava and avoid such fine British cock-ups.

Charge Of The Light Brigade is totally icon-driven and takes place on two scales. There is a map of the whole of the Crimea, peppered with coloured flags, and a battle display showing individual units as appropriately dressed figures. All you do is click on each unit, or group of units, and either select a compass point for them to follow or click at the position on the main map you'd like them to trot along to. Then you wait. And wait.

Call it unprecedented realism if you must, but Charge Of The Light Brigade takes so long to play that you reach your boredom threshold before battle is joined. Combat chugs past with light casualties each round. Viewing the battle display is hampered by a dreadful mouse-controlled scooter which drags you away from the action to some remote corner of the Crimea no matter what you do.

The graphics are really rather impressive and the icon control system - apart from the appalling viewing scroller - is great, but playing Charge Of The Light Brigade just isn't very exciting. With quite a bit more speed and a few more command options, it would have been a great strategy game, but as it stands it's just mediocre.

1. Very similar in feel to Ancient Battles, but with better graphics.
2. Nevertheless, Ancient Battles is still quicker and more flexible.