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Eight heroes, their magical quest takes them deep within the depths of the underworld, delve deep into the dark corners of rooms, overcome great odds and terrible monsters and retrieve old underwear.

Well, not exactly, but 3D Gauntlet does have that comfortable ring to it; that familiar feel you get when you pull on three day old boxer shorts and is the the latest in the great coin-op saga.

3D Gauntlet gives you the option of one two players and you con choose from eight different character's - four of whom are the familiar Questor the elf, Merlin the Wizard, Thyro the Valkyrie and Thor the warrior.

Each player has different characteristics of magic, defence, speed and damage with play running along, (or briskly walking) in much the some way as the former versions. However, the viewpoint and scenario differ - you begin play above ground, tootling around in graveyards and fields and try to avoid whatever monster the earth throws up at you through its monster generators.

You can mutilate the mummies, gun-down the ghosts and generally make life a living hell for the world's inhabitants who inhabit eight separate kingdoms.

As you roam around the world, you'll find various items that will help you in your quest: food, as with all of the Gauntlet saga, restores strength which slowly depletes as you wander around or more rapidly as you get attacked by the world's wildlife; keys that unlock doors and walls and the inevitable potions.

Each type of monster is produced from a monster generator which is set into the ground and can be destroyed with several smatterings of well-aimed violence and once dead, con be forgotten for ever.

As you wander around each kingdom, there are portals to other parts which are indicated with large arrows, (so that you can't miss 'em), that lead you down into the very bowels of the earth itself (it's a good job that no-one's developed games in 'Smellaround' yet!)

This isn't a bad product - the graphics are reasonable if a little complicated, but the game play is simple enough to get straight down to business - if you're in the ghost-bustin' business that is, and with osso many options to choose from, 3D Gauntlet should keep you blastin' away for quite some time.

Label: US Gold Memory: 48K/128K Price: £10.99 Tape, £14.99 Disk Reviewer: Garth Sumpter

The 3D element adds a new perspective to a tried and tested product - definitely worth a whirl if you're a fan of the genre.