The Sandman Cometh (Star Dreams)

The concept is imaginative and allows the game to contain a number of different settings. Each is self-contained but you will need items from one scenario to help you in another.

Gift From The Gods (Ocean)

A curate's egg really: long in technical merit, short on excitement.

Espionage (Modular Resources)

The presentation is dull, the content dry and specialised and both the introductory and main programs failed to autorun.

Assignment East Berlin (Sterling)

Unattractively presented on-screen, and slow to respond, the game is less good than it should be.

Skool Daze (Microsphere)

They may not be the happiest days of your life, but Skool Daze should provide some of the happiest hours of the day.

Macman's Magic Mirror (Sinclair Research)

The stated target age is four to eight but four year olds might find it rather difficult, and six to 10 is probably more appropriate.

Match Day (Ocean)

If you are a football fanatic, you should enjoy this one.

Ghostbusters (Activision)

One of the more interesting features of the game is the soundtrack, coupled with a nifty voice synthesiser which insists on shouting 'Ghostbusters' and 'Behind you' in a passable imitation of Ray Parker Junior's strangled wheeze.

Arrow Of Death Parts 1 And 2 (Channel 8)

You can switch between the text description and the picture by using the ENTER key - though the instructions don't tell you that, which may confuse the unwary.

Se-Kaa Of Assiah (Mastervision)

Although the program is cheap, adventurers still have the right to expect more than this for their money.

Microfitness (VO2)

For those who are fitness freaks this program is a godsend - for those who are not, it might be a good idea to try it - you never know, you might end up attempting a marathon.

Oil Strike (Sinclair Research)

Its appeal lies in the strategic decision making which has to be revised continuously as world market conditions change, a heinously difficult task.

Airwolf (Elite)

This sheep in Airwolf's clothing is best avoided.

Disease Dodgers (Sinclair Research)

Certainly to be recommended as an alternative to the average arcade game for children between eight and 12.

The Great Space Race (Legend)

Includes real-time action but if intelligent character interaction does exist within the game, it must be hiding somewhere.

Grand Prix Manager (Silicon Joy)

Written in Basic with occasional POKEs of the crazy border variety, it is a dud effort if ever there was one.

Danger Mouse In The Black Forest Chateau (Creative Sparks)

The simplicity of the game makes it ideal for young adventurers and an enjoyable break for those seasoned adventurers not wishing to expend much brain power.

Heathrow Air Traffic Control (Hewson)

For those who like beating their brains into a pulp on wet weekends watching Concorde carving up the rear end of a DC10, Heathrow ATC is what they have been looking for.

The Magic Sword (Database)

A credible attempt to reach an age group who are rarely catered for in games computing.