The long and winding road that leads to Satan's door

I could tell I was on to something different when I saw the packaging that this game came in. It consisted of a very smooth, black plastic case that reminded me more of a video cassette than anything else.

But that was just the wrapping. As my mother always used to say, it's what's inside that counts.

Well I've played Devil's Causeway dozens of times and I can tell you that the game is every bit as well produced as the package it comes in.

The idea is that you have been captured by the Devil and have to make your way to safety by travelling his causeway, a long winding road that you leave at your peril.

In this respect it's just a maze game and a fairly simple one at that. But there are complications.

These come in the form of Satan's Fiendish Friends. (No this is not another dig at Acorn.) As you journey to freedom Old Nick's allies come to test and taunt you by making you play simple but trying games.

Donald the Demon Dice-thrower challenges you to a game of dice. You lose at the risk of your life. Basil the Bomber makes you choose between three boxes, one of which contains a bomb.

Satan has at least half a dozen other allies that I've come across. There might be others but I don't want to meet them!

Devil's Causeway may be a little too simple for the experienced adventurer. But it is great fun both to play, and to watch others playing. Certainly if parents were looking for a game for their children that was fun and also mildly educational then this is the one to go for.

I might also add that if a child were looking for a game that would chal lenge a parent's abilities while not being too hard for them, the same would apply. With superb packaging enclosing a pleasant, enjoyable game, Devil's Causeway is a program to seriously consider buying.

John Knight