Tomahawk (Digital Integration)

It's the ideal mix, and we recommend it without reservation.

Gyroscope (Melbourne House)

Whether or not the game is as original as Melbourne House seems to think, we've never seen anything quite like it on the Spectrum. Buy it and go bananas.

Hacker (Activision)

It's not as revolutionary as Activision claims, but it's still worth buying for the long winter nights.

Back To Skool (Microsphere)

Although it's extremely difficult to get far into the quest, that won't stop you having a good time.

Critical Mass (Durell)

The desert world portrayed in Critical Mass bears a remarkable similarity to Frank Herbert's Dune. Even the hover pods looked like the winged ornithopters portrayed in the film.

Shadow Of The Unicorn (Mikro-Gen)

The full quest, if you can fathom out what's going on, is obviously going to take a while to sort out, and the setting is atmospheric and intelligently worked out.

Riddlers' Den (Electric Dreams)

A mind game with arcade overtones... It will appeal to those who have had enough of continual killing.

Impossible Mission (US Gold)

Slick graphics, nice animation with the somersaulting agent, and good use of what little sound is available equals fine entertainment.

Birthday Party/Narrow Squeaks (Macmillan)

A collection of four games, mainly concerned with logic puzzles.

Xcel (Mastertronic)

If you are a battle-hardened hack you will find better shoot 'em ups on the market.

Grumpy Gumphrey Supersleuth (Gremlin Graphics)

Show your boss that you can bring some sanity to this computerised version of a Saturday morning at Marks and Sparks. You will find it a difficult but rewarding job.

Big Ben Strikes Again (Artic)

Some of the rooms are extremely difficult to negotiate, others a simple matter.

The Great Fire Of London (Rabbit)

You are given two options - whether you want the wind to keep changing direction and the time it takes the fire to spread, making the game more of a challenge.

World Series Basketball (Imagine)

While you are trying to locate your player the opposing team are scoring several goals. You just can't win.

World Cup Soccer (Macmillan)

There is simply not enough variety and challenge to make the game really exciting, and a world cup game with no excitement is a bit like Miami Vice with no designer jeans.

International Rugby (Artic)

There may be a few boneheaded enthusiasts out there who'll want the only rugby simulation in town, but we fear sales are likely to be as limited as the appeal of this poorly designed offering.

QL C Development Kit (Metacomco)

Crazy Painter (Microdeal)

Cosmos (Talent)

Sketchpad (Sigma Research)

Word Processing With QL Quill (Longman)

The combination works well, and if you are interested in the esoteric aspects of QL usage, then the Longman book is a perfect buy.

The Z-80 Reference Guide (Melbourne House)

The Programmers' Trouble-Shooting Guide (Century)

If you are a beginner, the book may provide an easy launch pad to better computing.

The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole (Mosaic/Level 9)

It's disappointing that Level 9 has not been allowed to produce a real adventure. What carries the game through is the book text itself, irreverent and rude.

Fairlight (The Edge)

Fairlight is state-of-the-art. It's a classic in every sense - go get it.

Marsport (Gargoyle Games)

An enormously sophisticated program. The introduction of an arcade element with the power-gun adds extra zing (or zap) to the proceedings.

Adventureland (Adventure International)

The game is fun even if its style and storyline are now a bit dated.

Secret Mission (Adventure International)

Both programs are well produced and the idea of providing broad hints at difficult points provides an incentive to carry one if you get stuck - which will happen, I assure you.