Delta Force 2, PC CD-Rom, £34.99
One relatively new genre is the "sneak 'em up". Unlike Duke Nukem, Unreal or Quake - where the object of the game is to go all out in a blaze of gunfire - these games require stealth, thought and perhaps even greater nerve.
The original Delta Force was one of the better sneakers and the follow-up aims to stay at the top of the class. Aim carefully, as much of the play in the 40 or so missions is spent in sniper mode. Picking off enemy soldiers at a distance is more satisfying, and often more sensible, than charging into enemy territory.
Before each mission, or campaign weapons and camouflage are chosen. Obviously, the ones for the jungle are less useful in the Arctic, but once the player has sorted that much out, there is an AI-controlled team to help.
It convincingly conveys a sense of fear. Strange voices in the background warn when the enemy is near, but where? Crawling carefully to the top of a hill can reveal either an in-your-face pair of enemy boots or an enemy in the distance waiting to be sniped.
Delta Force 2 is not a huge improvement over the original, but with more varied missions and the new commander's screen, it makes a better overall experience for those who like wondering if there is someone behind them. [Recommended: PII350MHz/64MB/Win 9x]
Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Nintendo 64, £39.99
Rayman, the character with invisible arms and legs, makes his 3D debut here. The 2D original was popular, especially with younger gamers, who found it simple, effective and thoroughly enjoyable.
A game transformed into 3D often loses its appeal but Rayman 2 retains its appeal in the Great Escape and out-does the original. Lush scenery makes exploring pleasant and the camera angles are sensible enough to let the player control Rayman without frustration. The title character has unusual moves, such as using his ears in helicopter fashion to glide, or to break a fall.
There are some very clever elements in Rayman 2 but its biggest success is the attention to detail. By doing all the simple things right, Rayman 2 is more than competent. It is a game all the family can enjoy.
British games company Lionhead has been licensed as a new developer for the Dreamcast, Sega has announced. It is to prepare the much-anticipated game Black and White for the Dreamcast for Christmas and Peter Molyneaux, creator of Populous and managing director of Lionhead, is working on the game.
Despite this announcement, rumours persist that at next month's Game Developers conference in San Jose, California, Molyneaux is to join Bill Gates in launching Microsoft's X Box and showcase Black and White on the console that nobody is certain even exists.