Going boldly... where we've been before

IF YOU'RE a fan of the world's best successful TV science fiction franchise then you'll know all about Star Trek's Prime Directive.

It's all that "seeking out strange new worlds" nonsense plus a load of small print about not interfering or doing anything more threatening than setting phasers to stun.

Of course Captain Kirk, Spock and the others regularly thumbed their noses at the Prime Directive throughout three seasons of classic Sixties sci-fi telly.

But the crew of the first Enterprise usually only resorted to some photon torpedo action after all else failed (although how much this had to do with budgetary considerations is a moot point. Talking is so much cheaper than special effects..)

Elite Force, the first Star Trek adventure for the PS2, appears to have adopted a rather more straightforward approach to alien life-forms: if it moves and it doesn't wear a Federation uniform then let 'em have it.

Yes, you guessed it, Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force is a shoot 'em up played from a first person perspective.

The flimsy plot - Voyager is transported into a different dimension and invaded by all manner of unsavoury creatures - serves as the jumping off point for 40 levels of shooting action. It's not all blasting - you sometimes have to defend the ship or carry out repairs against the clock - but generally you'll have been here before

Every true fan of the series must have wondered what it would be like to be part of the Star Trek crew (a pretty short-lived career if you happened to be a security guard who beamed down to a Burbank alien landscape). This game lets fans of Voyager enjoy that fantasy in the comfort of their home.

It's all here. Every character is represented, including Captain Janeway, Security Officer Tuvok and the amusing emergency medical hologram. Male gamers will be particularly pleased to note that Seven of Nine (nick-named the Barbie Borg by fans of the show) also makes an appearance - although the game does her good looks no favours by making her face appear as though it is squashed flat.

Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force wins no prizes for originality. Nor is it the best PC to PS2 translation ever seen but fans of the show (and there are millions of 'em) will find lots to like about Elite Force.

PRISONER OF WAR Formats: PS2, PC, Xbox. Format: DVD. Publisher: Codemasters. Price: varies.

A WORLD War II game that isn't a first person shoot 'em up? No tanks, no hand grenades, no D-Day landings? What madness is this? Surely Prisoner of War doesn't stand a chance?

If POW takes its inspiration from another game then it has to be Metal Gear Solid. An amusing homage to all those World War II movies you used to watch as a kid, it's a third person stealth 'em up which sees your character trying to escape the Nazis so he can deliver crucial info to Winston Churchill back in dear old Blighty.

Just one problem. When your efforts are uncovered, the bad guys ship you out of Stalag Luft III and into Colditz castle.

A game of patience and thought, POW eschews the traditional action staples of guns and violence, in favour of well thought out escape strategies and cunning disguises.

Suspense is built up by the simple expedient of a beating heart on the soundtrack and a clock counting down to the next roll call.

This promising scenario is tested by some ropey collision detection - getting stuck in a doorway was a frustrating way to go - and the lack of any kind of mid-level save.

Still, POW is sufficiently polished and, most importantly, different to make it a pleasant surprise for any gamer who just fancies some thing a little bit different.

Print Artist 15. Publisher: Sierra Home.

PRINT Artist has been around for a long, long time. Chances are, if you bought your computer from a big name, an earlier version will already be installed on your machine.

So why bother with Print Artist 15?

For a start it's ridiculously good value for money, coming on seven CD-ROMs packed with 10,500 brand new layouts, 150,000 high quality images and photos, as well as 5,000-plus greeting messages and 300 AGFA fonts to choose from.

Professional level photo and image manipulation programmes are often too difficult for the casual user. After all, who wants to know about layers and colour separations when all they want is a personalised birthday card?

With this software the whole family can make professional-looking stationery, CD labels and greetings cards with just a few mouse clicks.

The latest version has a slicker interface and a much better clip art collection. You can also create and send electronic cards via e-mail.

Published: 16/08/2002