Sheep is a unique game of strategy and cunning. But before this review goes any further, we would like to apologise for any gratuitous use of sheep puns. It was just irresistible...

The plot begins millions of years ago. Apparently the ancestors of today's modern day sheep were sent across the galaxy from the sheep home star system of Ovis Aries. According to the software, their mission was to pose as passive creatures, taking the details of their habitat into their group consciousness. Wallowing in grass and sunshine, the sheep forgot their mission and became domesticated.

We join the game at a time when the sheep's ancestors have returned to Earth from Ovis to reclaim their lost flocks. They enlist the help of several earthlings in whom they have planted the desire to round up sheep and deliver them to the fictitious Mount Mouflon.

These earthlings include four herders. There's Bo Peep, a shepherd by day and lead singer of a rock band by night. And Adam Half Pint, once a bank manager, who now earns a living as a private eye. There's also Motley, a simple pet who has aspirations of becoming a sheep dog, and Shep, an intelligent Border collie who refuses to retire.

The aim of the game is to guide as many of the extremely cute and completely stupid sheep to the mountain without getting them killed, eaten, boiled or blow-dried. Sound a bit like Lemmings? It is, but with some excellent twists and well-aimed humour that even dyed-in-the-wool action gamers will enjoy.

There are seven hazardous worlds to navigate, including the Temple of Loom, Jurassic Playground and Clubnation. The player has to select a breed of sheep to take through each level, and there are four different types of breed to chose from. The factoral breed are dedicated followers of fashion, too stupid to distinguish between danger and safety; the pastoral flock is your everyday normal boring sheep. Other choices include the Neo Genetics or computer nerds and the Long Wool, or the Hell's Angels of the sheep world. There has to be a baa..die (we did warn you) and that place is filled by the scientist Mr Pear and his evil hench-cows.

This program has everything; adventure, suspense, bonus levels and lambs with attitude. According to the instruction manual, it even incorporates AS (Artificial Stupidity) that actually simulates the unique stupidity of sheep. We're hooked, and can't wait for Sheep 2: The Lamb Strikes Back. Pass the mint sauce.