It’s the Return of the Nerd

This season of game sequels continues. . . .

The latest, PG-13-styled “Les Manley in: Lost in L.A.,” comes from Accolade and is based on a nebbish character introduced two years ago in “Les Manley in Search for the King.” The dialogue and graphics are much improved, but the story is nothing to get excited about.

It is one silly cliche after another after another.

The story might have been subtitled “Who Is Stealing the Celebrities of Hollywood?” for it revolves around the disappearances of movie stars. The latest victim is Les’ buddy from “King,” Helmut Bean. Helmut and his megababe, LaFonda Turner, end up in the clutches of the kidnaper as Les heads for the Coast. The search begins at Muscle Beach and proceeds to every post-card locale of L.A. The game-makers call these setups a satirical look at the California lifestyle. We call it straight outta Podunk.

This game’s saving graces are strictly technical. Unlike “King,” the game features real actors, and the designers have come up with an improved point-and-click system for moving characters. It’s not enough. Maybe the rest of the world really does see L.A. this way, but we doubt it.

Lost in L.A.

Rating: **

IBM and compatibles; 640K; hard disk required. List: $59.95.

Computer games are rated on a five-star system, from one star for poor to five for excellent.