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The adventures of Sir Arthur Pendragon which started in Ultimate's first two C64 games continues in Blackwyche.

This time, the hapless hero is on board a ghost ship with a mission is to find the dead Captain's soul.

The action takes place on a scrolling galleon style background complete with huge cannons, crew quarters and, of course, ghosts.

These pester you endlessly draining your life energy which rapidly drops to 0 when a huge skull appears that laughs evilly as a ghostly hand drags you away.

However, after only a few attempts at the game you should find the sword that kills them. This reduces them to a mere irritation which unfortunately plagues you throughout the game. This distracts from the game's appeal as you know you can easily kill them yet they persist in bugging you. I would have thought it a better idea if they left you alone after you found the sword. I doubt this would seriously affect the game as there are plenty of other nasties out there to get you.

Most of these other enemies lurk unseen in the ship's cabins waiting for you to enter when they decide it's "dinner time" and leap on you. Unfortunately, they seem impervious to your sword thrusts and running away seems to be the only way around the curious collection of ghostly sea creatures and cups and saucers out to get you.

These have so far halted any further progress in the game although I have managed a few scouting missions deep into the ship's interior only to find duplicate landscapes, although this time coloured grey or red rather than brown.

All things considered, Blackwyche is another disappointing C64 game from Ultimate, which is a shame since their Spectrum track record in the shape of classics such as Atic Atac and Knight Lore promised so much.