You knew it couldn't last. You couldn't live in peace, playing adventures all day long, undisturbed by the real world. The computer paradise to which you emigrated in D - AAW 1 (81%, issue 85) was rudely shattered when your electricity was cut off, leaving you with no choice but to find the electricity board office and pay the bill.

A conversion of the original Amstrad game, like all Simon Avery outings it's wild, wacky and totally divorced from reality. Look out for the splatter (a knuckle-cracking heavy who uses more force than a bouncer), pay a quick visit to heaven and hell, and as for Santa's in-store 'grotty'... it's tacky, vulgar and full of overpriced garbage they couldn't sell during the year! Sound familiar?

Starting in your computer room, you can enter separate 'zones' at will using a Star Trek-style transporter (I wonder why it still works with the electricity off?). Fans of the Level 9 classic Lords Of Time will find this system immediately to their liking. There are three worlds to explore: a tropical beach littered with lovely palm trees and lovelier nudists (don't get too excited - there aren't any graphics!), a chilly Arctic zone, and of course the real world - well, it's as real as you'll ever get in an Avery game!

Although not too difficult, it's certainly trickier than D - AAW 1. Unfortunately, unlike its predecessor it has no score system (I always like to know how far I've got in a game), but I presume this is due to memory restrictions. The puzzles are always fair, but you'll need to latch onto Mr. Avery's offbeat humour if you're going to get anywhere.

Alas, there's a slight bug. You can wash your clothes wherever you like, not just in the logical and intended location. Obviously cock-ups like this we can well do without, but thankfully it doesn't detract from the game too much.

I like Simon Avery's games. They are possess a keen sense of humour, fun and imaginative problems, and they never eave you grouping in the dark wondering what to do next. And guess what? D - AAW 2 is no exception! A damn fine game that improves on its superb predecessor - buy it!