Egghead's second sequel brings a welcome return to form. In addition to the somewhat more relaxing (yet still fun) platform action, you're also treated to a slight arcade adventure element.

The plot superficially carries on from Egghead to the Rescue in the sense that the aliens from the previous game have stolen Egghead's Spectrum games disk. Egghead has jumped on board the aliens' craft in an attempt to recover his precious games. Which is where you come in. You have to locate the disk and the means to return back to Earth.

As such, you have around fifty screens to navigate through, jumping across platforms, over nasties and occasionally collecting items. The items aren't used in the sense that you would in traditional arcade adventures. Instead they are used automatically when the correct circumstances are met. For example, when you pick up the yellow key, it will automatically open the yellow door. There's no taking object X to object Y, combine them both in place Z so that something will happen.

This simplification doesn't detract from the fact you're playing a platform game, nor does it over-complicate the core focus of the genre. It's something new for the series and makes this sequel a little different to the previous one.

What isn't different are the graphics. They're up to the same standard of the previous games, so there's nothing wrong there. There is variation in the background scenery, so you don't get bored looking at the same tiles for all the game.

The music is a lot more subtle this time, which is a relief compared to Egghead 2. In fact it's so subtle that it's not there. The sound effects are also minimal, limited to a few simple effects. They are basic clicks and nowhere near as good as those found in Egghead 1.

What Egghead In Space lacks in aural qualities, it more than makes up for in playability and addictiveness. The time limit, present in the first two games, has thankfully gone, which gives you a more relaxed feeling towards the game. This gives you the opportunity to really enjoy EiS, much more so than the previous one.

Fifty (or so) screens gives you a lot to explore. In this day and age, with MMORPG's, adventure games providing you with several dozen hours' worth of alleged game play, it's a happy feeling to know that you can still get lost in a game which is so small, compared to 'modern' games. There's not a wasted screen in sight.

When you're playing the game there aren't any pointers to direct you from one part to the next. Which again, compared to 'modern' games, is a pleasant change. It hasn't completely flummoxed me yet. It's come close, but every couple of games gets me a little further. Which is a good thing.

Another sign of goodness is that all the elements which made Egghead 1 great are present here. You've got the ability to turn mid-jump, there's no leaps of faith, you can generally work out what you need to do on each screen on the first viewing (doing it can take more than one attempt though).

You have the occasional pixel-perfect jump to make but it's not through unfairness. Nothing comes straight at you when you first enter a screen, there's no random encounters, unseen traps or similar TRB Award delights. So you'll have uninterrupted fun without the irritants that lesser-quality platformers.

And that's pretty much it. Egghead in Space is a welcome return to form, with some enhancements in place. It's still as enjoyable as the first game, though perhaps the focus is a little watered down due to the slightly open-ended nature of the game play.

Nonetheless, Egghead in Space made an impressive debut as Cronosoft's first Spectrum release and it makes an enjoyable game to boot.

Graphics: 71% Slightly updated compared to the earlier games	Sound: 41% The odd spot effect is okay, but there could have been more	Overall: 80% A return to form and a good game in its own right
Addictiveness 79% The arcade adventure elements add to the games' pull	Playability: 80% Enjoyable platform action and the new bits are welcome additions