Silent running, avoiding torpedoes and rasing the periscope. Is there no end to the fun you can have on a nuclear submarine?

The tense atmosphere created by a horde of sweaty men, the threat of impending implosion and millions of tonnes of briny itching to get in is a good place to start when creating an involving gaming experience.

In Submarine Commander for the PlayStation, you learn stealth and tactics of anti-submarine warfare. You use sonar, radar and advanced weapons. You seek to control sea communications and dominate the maritime battleground in more than 20 command sorties.

Unfortunately, all the pressure points of being stuck sardine-like in a big tin can have been eschewed.

What should have been a tension-filled nail-biter is instead a poorly executed soggy effort.

The story takes place in the future where reckless industrial advancement has led to increased global warning.

The polar ice caps have melted and the sea levels have risen with disastrous consequences for the Earth. Very little land is left habitable, resulting in the few survivors living on industrial floating docks.

You play the part of a former United Nations submarine captain who has taken it upon himself to help rebuild civilisation by ridding the ocean of marauding pirates and scavengers.

A fairly decent idea has been wasted and naff graphics, depicting little more than a blue and black screen, ridiculously hard controls and slow-moving gameplay make this a game that simply dives to the depths and stays there.

Price: £29.99.

Contact: 0207 240 3121.

Feel good factor: 1 out of 10.