Helmsman

C&VG (Computer & Video Games)

SPLICE THE MAINBRACE, LANDLUBBERS If you're keen on simulations but think flying is for the birds a Dublin software company suggests you try your hand at sailing. With Sailing Simulator you are in charge of a 50 foot sailing yacht with a screen split into two halves. The top half devoted to an instrument display and the bottom half showing a map. The display gives the level of heel of the boat, or whether you are likely to ship water. There is a profile of the ship showing the amount of sail, a control for the anchor, a picture of the boat from above which shows where the wind is coming from and a compass heading. Your five controls feature port and starboard, increasing and reducing sail and finally the anchor. While a text display gives the weather forecast. Your job is to navigate into three imaginary ports which vary in difficulty. When approaching land the map changes to show the coastal charts and you must take care not to run aground. The weather is also a product of the programmer's imagination but mainly moderate - although you may find yourself up against a hurricane or a high swell. The game runs on a 48K Spectrum and costs about £5 from Soft Options of [redacted].