I think almost everyone has played or at least seen those Thrust type games, you know, where you control a small rocket, and have to collect those orbs to complete a level? Well, Gravity Force II is based on that oh so famous classi game. I say based because the only thing it has in common with it's predecessor is that it's heavily involved with the laws of physics: Gravity, inertia and so on.

The difference between Gravity Force II and Thrust, is that instead of having to collect the orbs, you get a chance to duel with your friends, one-on-one classic dogfight style. Combatants can choose between a vast selection of weapons- Be ng able to choose both a machine gun and a special weapon - of the many available are: Proximity bombs, mines, reversed machine gun, warp speed, super brakes and heat-seeking missiles.

The arena is just the one screen wide, but is many screens high, and most of the hundreds of levels are covered with obstacles to weave in and out of as your foe chases you around the level guns blazing. The levels? Oh yes, there's hundre s of them, with varying styles, each one having their own attributes. Snow, for example, is very soft, so little of your precious shield energy is lost if collided with. Alien, though, is completely rock solid - and sticky - any collision will just about finish you off.

Other items to be found in levels are:
• Auto-guns, that will either fire at you or your enemy.
• Fixed guns that just fire across the level.
• `Jeepers', these are just sticky pyramids with flashing lights atop.
• Magnets, which pull on your ship, sending you into the rocks.
• Water, which can rise and fall, and,
• A rather strange and sinister rabbit! Which does nothing but stare out of the screen, brrr.

Weapon refills can also be found around levels, allowing you to top up your supplies without the need to return to base.

I just can't recommend this game enough, it really is wonderful. The only down point I can thing of is the lack of a one player option - there is, however, a race option, in which you have to race between checkpoints, like slalom skiing. This still isn't as much fun as a two player dogfight, but any way, to sum it up in one sentence, this game is like life: Always better when not on your own.

Gravity Force II, 90%