Amiga Action issue 88 (Nov 1996) leans hard into a “last stand” vibe (“The clock is ticking…”) while still trying to keep the Amiga games scene feeling alive: the cover pushes Capital Punishment as a flashy, hard-drive-only beat ’em up, backed by a big Alien Breed 3D 2: The Killing Grounds review that compares different memory setups, and a moody sci-fi shooter/puzzler (Angst) that wins points for atmosphere. There’s a very on-brand mix of practical and daft filler too—guides for Ultimate Soccer Manager and Bloodnet (plus the “dead celebrity” walkthrough gag), a comics-and-culture detour, and a manga competition—while the coverdisk focus is a full-game freebie (Charlie the Chimp and the Treasure of Tutankhamun) framed with a blunt editorial shrug about shrinking releases.

Highlights

• Cover feature review: Capital Punishment (A1200, hard drive required) — Overall 95% (Graphics 96%, Sound 95%, Playability 93%); big, polished presentation for a belt-scrolling brawler.
• Big FPS review: Alien Breed 3D 2: The Killing Grounds — two score sets depending on setup: Overall 77% (4MB) vs 80% (2MB); hard-drive installable; a “bigger, louder” follow-up vibe.
• Classic-ish shooter/puzzle hybrid: Angst — Overall 80% (Graphics 80%, Sound 92%, Playability 87%); praised for eerie ship atmosphere and sound, with some grumbles about combat/pacing.
• Coverdisk: Charlie the Chimp and the Treasure of Tutankhamun — full game with a Dizzy-style “collect, dodge, puzzle-solve” feel; accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek “Disk 2: Invisible Game” gag.
• Reader deal: Valhalla sequel (…the Fortress of Eve) mail-order offer for £17.99.
• Guides: Ultimate Soccer Manager tips (money, stadium, steady progression) + Bloodnet location-by-location nudges.
• Dead Celebrity Game Guides: “Tarzan” shtick delivering help for Beneath a Steel Sky (third/final part) and King’s Quest VI (first part).
• Weird-fun feature page: “AA’s Word To The Wise Extravaganza!” — celebrity quote-collage nonsense as a palate cleanser.
• Comics corner (“Space Filler”): quick round-up of comics/graphic novels (Aliens/Predator/Superman, Batman, The Mask, Simpsons).
• Manga competition: Castle of Cagliostro-related giveaway plus a plug for a UK manga/anime exhibition event.