DNA

£14.99

These small software companies are really coming to the fore now that the big gits seem to be dropping the Amiga. Vulcan, Mutation, Weathermine, etc, and now Applaud Software have come up with an excellent top-down, strategy game.

Guide two telepathically linked people around the playing area, picking up pieces of laboratory equipment, and killing the genetic mutants. Once the slaughter has taken place, collect samples from the dead muties and send them to the lab for analysis.

OK so far? Right. Once the genes have been identified you have the option of inserting them into one or both of your operatives. With this done, a range of skills can be added to their inventory or existing ones enhanced. Be carefull though, because some genes can be harmfull.

Once the screen has been cleared you can upgrade things like hit points, molecular density, action points and others before progressing to another area.

Yes I did say "action points"! This is a derivative of the UFO style strategy games where each body (friendly or enemy) take turns to move, pick up, strike, etc. It's very effective although simpler and quicker than UFO and some others.

I liked this game a lot. It's definately got that 'just one more go' appeal, and is very involving especially when a new type of mutant is encountered. However, there are two drawbacks...

• One - it should have been hard drive installable. It comes on three disks which have one large file each. Once the intro has loaded it then wants a disk in DF0: nothing else will do.
• Two - there is no save game. To complete the game will take three or more hours, and while having no saves increases the difficulty level, it also means that you can't play for half-an-hour while waiting for Babylon 5 to start!

Overall a very good game that's gonna be a joy to own.

Score = 93%

DNA is available by mail order from...

Applaud Software Limited
33 York Road
Church Gresley
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 9QG
TEL: 01283 217270

Cheques and Postal Orders payable to Applaud Software.
Please mention Paradise City when ordering.