Who can save the universe?

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The latest release from Micro Power, Dr. Who And The Mines of Terror combines the best in arcade and adventure games.

Your old adversary, the Master, has taken over one of the moons of the planet Rijar.

The mining complex he is using as a base is used to extract Heatonite, a rare mineral used in the building of a Time Instant Replay Unit (TIRU).

He proposes to build his own TIRU to aid him in his plans to conquer the universe and what's more, he intends using your brain to make it more powerful. Can you, as the Doctor, put an end to his plans?

You have two types of adversaries to avoid or outwit in your task, the Controllers, Dalek-like machines that sense your presence if you get too near, and Madrags, large monsters that are either fully grown or waiting to be hatched.

To get past the eggs you need the help of your Sphinx, a semi-intelligent robot programmed to perform simple tasks from a menu.

Movement around the moon is by use of platforms and ladders, and a central lift provides access to all sections of the complex.

There are two ways to get to this lift - both very dangerous and requiring split second timing. You either find out how to pass the Madrag or find your way past the Controllers.

In the latter case, you'll find that it takes a lot of practice.

You score points by reaching machines with CCS written on them.

I have explored a lot of the complex but I still haven't managed to get my timing right for the third jump necessary to by-pass the Madrag, so I can't get the air bottle needed to go on to the moon's surface.

Neither can I work out the combination necessary to get into the safe that houses the pass card allowing you to get through the locked doors.

Documentation, which includes a briefing manual, cross-sectional map and an explanation of how to get past the Madrag. is comprehensive and very well presented.

The graphics are not as good as those of Castle Quest and I found them jerky on occasion. Considering the number of things going on though, I am surprised they are as good as they are.

How they managed to pack so much into this magnificent program is a source of amazement and the inclusion of an eprom makes the package especially good value.

Paul Gardener