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As Jarel, the Prince of Shamnirs, you and your six companions have to explore Arborea, find the four crystals that symbolise the four elements from which the Crystal world has been created: Earth, Sky, Water and Fire, and return them to their respective towers.

The scenario for this impressive French 3D role-playing game reads, typically, like the back-cover blurb for most pulp fantasy. Gods created the world, to be the home of mortal creatures. Only three different races lived there for many years: Orcs, tireless workers; Sham-nirs, Artican Elves; and Black Elves, the rulers of the Crystal world.

Then, one day, Morgoth, a fallen angel, cursed the Gods who had banished him from heaven and swore revenge. He swept across the Crystal world bringing discord and violence. He corrupted the Orcs and Black Elves, turning them against the Sham-nirs.

The Gods were dismayed at the anarchy everywhere, so they drowned the world in their fury, leaving only Arborea as the last resting place for the crystals above the sea.

From the moment that the intro-sequence begins (showing the four crystals flying through the air and landing in Arborea) you can tell that this one has been polished 'til it shines.

Then, once into the game proper, the player finds a simple and friendly front-end that doesn't get in the way of the atmosphere. The characters and other creatures are well-drawn and accompanied by some superb, realistic-looking, background artwork. Simarils hasn't let itself down on the sound front either: both the intro and game-over music have a very medieval feel which complements the action perfectly.

The sound effects are equally impressive, with suitable grunts during combat, and even the odd bird tweet! If you're prepared to spend some time establishing exactly how to begin (there are moments when the correct action is far from obvious), you may find Crystals Of Arborea rich and rewarding.