THE SUFFERING: TIES THAT BIND

Formats: Ps2, PC, Xbox. Publisher: Midway. Price: £39.99. Family friendly? No. 16+

HORROR is insanely popular with the games community at the moment and, when done right, it can provide the kind of visceral thrill that's hard to top.

As with the cinema, there are different types of horror video game. There's the slow burn like Silent Hill, an interactive adventure that prefers to build suspense rather like a Val Lewton shocker like Cat People; there's the good old zombie-fest typified by Resident Evil 4, which goes for gross out scares along the lines of Zombie Flesheaters; and then there's the out-and-out splatter-thon of which this sequel is a typical example.

If The Suffering: Ties That Bind were a movie (and it surely won't be long before it is) then it would have been directed by Herschel Gordon Lewis, the so-called "Godfather of Gore" who started the bloodthirsty splatter genre way back in 1963 with a cheapie called Blood Feast - a film that was so strong, parts of it are still banned in the UK more than 40 years later.

This sequel to last year's successful Suffering game throws everything at you in an attempt to make you feel scared. There's the screeching sound effects, the sudden jump cuts, the barely glimpsed snatches of something hiding in that darkened corner and the full-on monsters just itching to tear you limb from limb. Subtle it ain't.

Even worse, your character has more than mere demons to deal with. Another headache is the human SWAT teams sent into this hellish world to sort out the monsters. Only they usually end up getting in the way (and you can hear their constant radio bickering as you move down the darkened corridors).

This sequel sees some levels taking place outside but everything is still very dark and you'll need your handy torch to make any headway.

Thankfully, the adventure can be played from first person or third person perspectives - a godsend for a wuss like me who suffers motion sickness from playing a FPS too long.

When you come across a genuine innocent bystander, you can help them, leave them or even kill them. How you handle these situations is reflected in an on-screen moral barometer. Your character can't store up healing potions so if you sustain damage during a battle, you'll need to hunt out some help before carrying on your quest. At least you can call up your trusty torch at a moment's notice.

Gamers who enjoyed the original Suffering will lap this stuff up. Those of a nervous disposition would be well advised to look elsewhere.

PROJECT DOGWAFFLE PROFESSIONAL

Publisher: FastTrak Software. Format: PC. Price: £49.99.

IT may have the strangest name given to a graphics programme since The Gimp, but Project Dogwaffle is no joke.

In fact, it's a digital artist's dream come true.

Starting life as a handy piece of freeware, this version (3.2) is the first boxed retail package.

Why pay cash for something that you could once get for free? Because this is no mere update. The code has been broadly upgraded and now boasts the kind of power only seen in pro level graphics/paint packages costing many hundreds of pounds.

I first saw this software a couple of years ago when it was still in the early stage. At that time, it was pretty rough around the edges and not entirely stable but it was obvious that it had tremendous potential. If that potential could be turned into reality, then Dogwaffle would be a bargain, no doubt.

I'm happy to report that all that potential has been realised. The interface - so often the key point that lets so many graphics programmes down - is clear and concise. Anyone familiar with Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro will feel at home straightaway.

For those users who haven't tried anything so ambitious, publisher FastTrak has included 39 video tutorials to show you how it's done.

Once you are familiar, all it takes is a few swift mouse clicks to simulate pastels, oils, watercolours, pencils and pens.

Making selections is easy and the use of layers allows for non-destructive editing.

In addition, Dogwaffle can read and write to all of the major graphics and animation formats.

At this price, Project Dogwaffle Pro is a bargain. The only downside is that the sheer power of the software can make it somewhat daunting for absolute beginners, but that's hardly a serious criticism. This is the kind of programme that can grow with you as your confidence as a digital artist increases.

A quick search on the Net will also uncover masses of free plug-ins to help expand your creativity.

The altruistic nature of Dogwaffle's creation has seen the emergence of a friendly online support base. If you're stuck, chances are there's a Dogwaffle user out there who can help.

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