War is a nasty, dirty business, and it takes a long time to fight one. Given the attention they paid to detail, that's probably why the designers of Hannibal decided that playing this game should be the equivalent of surviving a very lengthy battle.

	This new release from MicroLeague Interactive Software looks great and is extremely easy to play. Unfortunately, I'm a married man, and I can't possibly make the extended commitment that Hannibal demands from me.

	To put it simply, this game wouldn't end. All of my armies were destroyed, and the game went on. It soon became a point of pride, so I raised all my taxes to the 100 percent level, in the hopes that what was left of my empire would revolt against me. Still, the game simply wouldn't declare a winner.

	I can accept the fact that it might take me a very long time to get through a game. I may not like it, but I can accept it. However, when all is lost and it's apparent that I don't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning, I feel it's important to accept that fact and move on to something else.

	 Rome and Carthage fought three wars between 264 BC and 146 BC. This game is based on the second tilt between the two Mediterranean powers, when Hannibal, one of the top generals ever to slap his saddle on an elephant, was at the peak of his game.

	As Hannibal, you're in command of three armies at the beginning of the game, with two based in what is now Spain and on the north coast of Africa. Your Roman opponents have two armies in what is now Italy. There are numerous cities sprinkled all over the landscape. In addition to your towns and Rome's towns, there are neutral cities. They won't let their own troops join your army, but there are mercernaries in eaach town that will sign on with you. You can also purchase supplies in neutral cities.

	Purchasing supplies is done through the market menu. When you're in your own cities, you can transfer troops from the city's army to your own. Just remember that if you empty your towns of troops, they'll be easier to conquer if the Romans should show up later on. The size of the army, and the size of the wall surrounding each city, determines how difficult it will be to conquer.

	All of your game functions start from the main menu, and the interface is a breeze to run. By simply clicking your mouse, you can jump from command to command within seconds. You're also able to move around the map and move in and out of specific areas very easily. The outstanding design job extends to the game's graphics.

	The game manual recommends that you build a good old-fashioned military industrial complex by taking 80 percent of your money from the general treasury and giving it to your armies. They'll need the money in order to finance additional supplies, including food, ships and additions to the elephant brigade.

	If you're running short on money, you can raise your taxes. If you sense that one of your cities is about to join the other side side, you can go into the economy menu and authorize a special payment, otherwise known as a bribe.

	Since you're the general, your troops will do whatever you want them do. When you're in the marching orders menu, you'll be given the option of moving your army to any adjacent town. If you're in a port, you can purchase ships and move your troops via the sea.

	A word of warning about this particular option: In a stroke of genius worthy of the great Hannibal himself, I decided to launch a sneak attack on Rome from a Spanish port by loading up 126 ships with my troops. Once the rough sea conditions and marauding pirates got through with my fleet, I was down to 30 ships, who were quickly annihilated by the Roman legions.

	History tells us that Hannibal's fleet was in rough shape at this point in time, and it's reflected in the game. If you must ships your troops, keep the trips short.

	You can also divide or combine your armies. You can divide into separate units at any time. If you wish to combine two armies, simply send them to the same city, then join them.

	When you reach a Roman city, you can elect to bypass it, negotiate, or start a siege. The negotitation option is rarely accepted, so prepare for a lot of sieges. If a siege is successful, you can act in a civilized matter and claim the city for your own. If you're not feeling politically correct, you can choose to pillage, and if you're in an extremely ugly mood, you can sack it.

	Battles happen when you're in the same area as a Roman army. You're given a wide variety of battle choices. If you have a peaceful background and don't understand your options, the manual provides an explaination of what formations work best where.

	Because it takes so long to play, Hannibal is the war-game equivalent of enlisting in the military. If you really enjoy these kinds of games you're going to like it. If you're not a big warmonger, Hannibal is hell.