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The sequel to Heroes Of Karn is a much snappier game than its forerunner. Starting off at your place, the Hall of Callastheon, accompanied by Darin, thirty-seventh direct descendent of our old friend Beren, you set off to stop your empire from falling. Zheff, the corrupt king of Vorzdeshaa, is plotting your downfall.

Your arrival at Vorzdeshaa enables you to start the main part of your quest and, after trekking across the desert, you come to the capital city Ivshem.

The text responses are instant, albeit a trifle dense in the presence of such words as EXAMINE and GET. The only response to an unknown word is "Sorry, I don't understand" which gives little help to the player. On the other hand, I did not find I was groping around for words for too long, so the vocab must be adequate for the plot.

The fact that you can't examine anything, I always think, spoils a game somewhat. On the other hand, there are some multi-word commands which allow you to put things in and speak to the characters you come across on your journey.

The graphics are above average in detail and realism, but just a little slower than some to draw and fill. They are worth watching and they don't bcome a bore, as they display only on the first visit to a location.

All in all, I found Empire very pleasant to play and its music has my foot a-tappin' non-stop!

Empire Of Karn is from Interceptor Software for the C64 and Amstrad.