Thunder Brigade

Despite being an out and out 3D shoot 'em up, Thunder Brigade adopts a voxel-based graphics engine that makes a good argument for the return of yesterday's technology.

The 30-mission war sees you piloting a futuristic hovercraft, battling it out with two alien factions over beautifully realised landscapes in scenes reminiscent of Battlezone. Unfortunately, while your craft is responsive, its ultra-manoeuvrability makes targeting a nightmare. This, coupled with the fact that multiple hits are required to take out even the weakest of foes, leads to a degree of frustration that's exacerbated by the maladjusted difficulty curve. The solo 'seek and destroy' missions are kamikaze affairs - you often seem overwhelmed and outgunned - but the 'protect and supply' scenarios reduce you to an almost invulnerable spectator while your computer-controlled allies kick alien butt. Either way you hardly ever feel in control, and even action junkies will desert this game long before the war is over.