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Enter the world of Greek mythology in this latest game from the team who once worked on another software legend - the mythical and mysterious Bandersnatch!

Gift From The Gods, unlike that other game, has actually reached the shelves of your local games shop - and it's a brilliant bit of software. The scenario is taken from Greek legends and stars Orestes who, aided by the ancient Greek gods, has returned to Mycenae to regain his rightful kingdom from the clutches of his evil mother Clytaemnestra.

Orestes must fulfil his destiny by trial in the mysterious labyrinth beneath the palace of Mycenae. No man has even returned from this labyrinth - a series of inter-connecting chambers created by the gods to punish mortals for their misdeeds.

Hidden in sixteen special rooms are objects known as Euclidean shapes, strange geometric designs based on circles, triangles and squares. Six of these shapes, placed in the correct order in the Guardian's chamber will prompt the discovery of the exit from the labyrinth.

The Guardian's chamber is the home of demi-gods who use their powers of illusion to prevent Orestes discovering the right shapes.

The gods have revealed the correct solution to Orestes' sister, Electra, imprisoned by the nasty Clytaemnestra within the catacombs beneath the palace. Orestes must seek her help in discovering the correct shapes. Without her he must make his own mind up - and can easily be led astray by the masters of illusion.

Clytaemnestra has learned of Orestes' quest and has herself entered the labyrinth in order to kill Electra and make her son's task even more difficult. Orestes must protect Electra as well as seeking the shapes. All the time his strength is ebbing away - although he can discover the waters of life dripping from the roof of certain parts of the labyrinth which restore his powers.

That's the basic theme of this entertaining and intricate game. There are other features you'll come across - like the awesome illusionary monsters - but you'll enjoy finding them out for yourself!!

Orestes is armed with a sword, a gift from Zeus and also has seven tears shed by Icarus when he flew too near to the sun. These he can use as "markers" in the catacombs. But beware, the nasty Clytaemnestra has a nasty habit of moving them around.

Orestes is also assisted by "messages" from the gods which appear at the bottom of the screen.

The animation is excellent. Orestes moves smoothly and all graphics are completely flicker-free. The monsters our hero discovers in the labyrinth are stunning. Watch out for the three-headed serpent and the horrible pile of animated skulls!

The game includes an "intelligent" joystick feature - which basically means that it's much easier to move Orestes around. You don't need to mix both keyboard and joystick - or end up struggling to work out which control will get you out of a tight corner when your energy is rapidly being drained by a nasty monster.

Documentation is good and it includes playing and strategy hints as well as the usual instructions.

If you like Avalon then you'll love Gift From The Gods - it is great fun to play and you never know just what you are going to find around the next corner!