Although it doesn't sound like a lot of fun, Michael Abrash' magic works its wonder again this time. For no apparent reason, I stayed up late at night, for days/weeks/months in a row just to play this incredibly addictive game. I can't quite explain why the game is so addictive. Perhaps it's the addition of power-ups, such as a shield that can help you in tight spots. Perhaps it's the wonderful animations and very good graphics (utilizing 4-color CGA to great effect). Perhaps it's the fun surprises that each new level brings, such as the giant alien ships that appear from time to time to give you a chance for a huge bonus. Or perhaps it's the fact that Cosmic Crusader was one of the 3 games I had on that computer, and the other 2 are utter crap :) Whatever the reason, though, I simply can't find fault with this hugely underrated shooter. Be prepared for a long trip down memory lane when you play this one :)