Cuthbert In Space (Microdeal)

This game is difficult, frustrating... and great fun.

Swoop (Micro Power)

It's quite nice... but all the same it's still just another Space Invaders clone.

New Venture (Falcon Computing)

The menu offers an opportunity to place ads in the media, visit your bank (presumably to pay for the ads) and plan effective stock management. It's a sombre lark indeed.

Ruby Runabout (Scorpio)

Experienced explorers are unlikely to find the game of much interest. Still, response times are good and the demeanour of the piece is bright and colourful.

Trashman (New Generation)

Highly original stuff and, visually the most resplendent offering yet from Malcolm Evans.

Blade Alley (PSS)

A commendable but flawed attempt to rewrite Buck Rogers And The Planet Of Zoom. There's a couple of niggling game details which persistently spoil the action.

Robyn Hode (Runsoft)

A text adventure apparently based on research into an abundance of extremely odd spellings. These adde considerablie to the medieval atmosphere and so compensate for the lack of an evocative narrative.

The Quest For The Holy Grail (Dream)

While the quest is quite playable, you'll need a strong stomach to suffer such witty retorts as "Take what? Berk!!!" Laugh? I didn't.

Star Trader (Bug-Byte)

The most exciting option on offer in this trading game is to sell off your cargo at the earliest opportunity... and then peg out through boredom.

Psycho Shopper (Mastertronic)

This game has plenty of Pzazz, but never let an off-the-wall idea fool you - it's difficult to accomplish.

Rapier Punch (Commodore)

This could be a really good game, but it is ruined by wishy-washy graphics. If it was a first draft, I'd say it had potential. But it isn't and it doesn't.

The Character Generator (ISP Marketing)

Worth checking out even if it is priced a quid or so over the odds.

McVid (Pica)

A very nice little package, especially if you want to know more about machine code graphics techniques.

Ice Hunter (Anirog)

Quite a fun game. It's just that the graphics are a little, shall we say, unimaginative... and the sound does little more than belch occasionally.

Wimbledon (Merlin)

The view is full 3D, from one end of the court and - this is the only bad point in a good game - requires two players.

Maze Gold (Visions)

One of the better new programs for the Vic.

Quest For The Garden Of Eden (Phoenix)

I don't mind a difficult game, even prefer it, but an arcade game which kills you off seven times in three seconds... and which you're forced to complete to even play the adventure... well, it's daft. Is the adventure any good? Well, how the hell should I know?!

Full Throttle (Micromega)

Initially, the graphics might seem a little bland, but the animation of the bikes and perspective FX are quite brilliant.

Rapscallion (Bug-Byte)

The graphics are exceptionally crude and obstacles are equally limp There are three areas of play: the Wilderness, the Magic Labyrinth and the Castle, and each comprises several screens. Mind you, few will stick around for all of them.

Scope 64 (ISP)

Anyone who knows the C64 well enough to use Scope would be better off buying a good assembler.

Splat (Incentive)

A fine example of a simple idea applied well with an imaginative use of graphics.

Worse Things Happen At Sea (Silversoft)

Visually, it's the most impressive thing yet put out by Silversoft, and the challenge quota is considerably high.

Dartz (Automata)

There's a split-screen display showing the score, the board along with a neatly animated cartoon graphic. Very stylish.

Checkout (Virgin)

Good stuff... Keep an eye out for flying pigs!

Kosmic Kanga (Micromania)

Delightfully addictive. The Commodore can keep its mutant camels... Kangaroos are far more classy.

Cuthbert In Space (Microdeal)

This really isn't worth the cash. There's a lot of room for improvement.

Planetfall (Argus Press)

Although competent and challenging I rather despaired of Planetfall's lack of humour.

The Odyssey Of Hope (Martech)

If the subject matter appeals then this is well worth checking out.

Warriors Revenge (Video Force)

Nul points. This is horrendous. I mean, the thing is so duff it could well become a cult hit!

Encounter (Novagen)

A great game. Based on the old Battlezone where you take a view of 3D landscape through the front of a tank, instead of vector graphics like Battlezone this is in full solid graphics, four times as fast and unbelievably smooth.

Murphy (Mogul)

I like this: a simple idea and maybe not as original as some, but fun just the same.

The Pink Pearl (Astrosoft)

A mess of considerable proportions... and consequently is a far from welcome advert for The Quill.

Starbase (Commodore)

Action is jerky and there are no frills. No rewards. No change. Commodore should know better than to release tat like this.

Touchstone (Microdeal)

Many will find this game a challenge... I found it frustrating.

Wallie Goes To Rhymeland (Interceptor)

Rather like the earlier castigated Troopa Truck, this relies not so much on skilful manipulation but on memorising where the pratfalls and assailants are.

King Tut (Microdeal)

All-action addicts may find it too repetitive or tame - there is nothing to shoot at. However, for a lover strategy combined with risk, it is an original and enjoyable game, complete with 12 screens and a high score table.