Kylie playing beach volleyball? Dream on...

SEMI-NAKED babes, sunny locales and beach ball action; hang on haven't we been here before? If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then the guys who created Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball must be feeling pretty darn smug about this game.

Still DOA proved that volleyball could be fun and Summer Heat drives home the point. Matches are fast and furious but always controllable and fun. In short, you soon forget about the dubious characters on screen and start to concentrate on how best to beat your opponent.

You can even play a game of doubles, although things do become a tad confused at key moments.

One unusual "extra" is the ability to unlock Kylie Minogue videos as you work your way through the game.

Sadly, as far as I could tell, the princess of pop doesn't appear as a playable extra. Ah well, maybe that's something that can be fixed for the inevitable - and wholly welcome - sequel.

VIETNAM MED-EVAC. Publisher: Global Star Software. Format: PC CD ROM

AMONG the more popular add-ons available for Microsoft's Combat Flight simulator programme is a disk that allows gamers to rerun the Vietnamese war.

This stand-alone game does much the same but there's a neat twist. Med-Evac isn't about the smell of napalm in the morning; it's a flight sim about saving life not taking it.

You only fly one helicopter - the legendary UH1, better known as the Huey, which became the airborne version of the Jeep during the Vietnam conflict thanks to its versatility.

You'd think this would limit the game's appeal but, believe me, when I say Med-Evac is a challenge to learn.

Of course you can switch off the realism and fly around to your heart's content dodging Viet Cong bullets but the real game is to be found in the full-on simulation of what it's like to fly a Huey whilst under fire.

Landing your chopper in the middle of a fire-fight knowing that wasted moments will probably see your craft blown out of the sky is real sweaty palms stuff.

The sneaky Viet Cong are heavily armed. As well as AK47s they can deploy anti aircraft weapons and surface to air missiles guaranteed to bring you down to earth with a bump. You can fight back, the Huey has a machine gun mounted on the door, and the game gives you the option of controlling the weapon manually or leaving it to the game.

What's more you have to keep an eye on the weather and make certain you don't get caught in the smoke of battle when you pick a landing spot. Some of the environmental effects, such as the way the smoke swirls around in your backdraft, really enhances the sense of realism.

When you've swooped down and picked up a casualty the injured party in the back just won't stop yaking. He keeps up a constant commentary on the way home just so you know whether or not he's likely to make it.

Listen carefully to his comments - meandering back to a full blown field hospital could cost a life if your passenger is critical. Instead you should make for the nearest clearing where paramedics can get to work.

Vietnam Med-Evac is a pleasant change to the usual flight sim that mixes action and adventure in equal amounts.

YOU can win a copy of Vietnam Med-Evac by telling us who starred in Good Morning Vietnam? Send your answers to Burton's Byte, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF. Closing date August 1.

Published: 25/07/2003