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How better to continue this issue's reviews than to be able to examine the first arcade style adventure game for the Spectrum. Sounds incredible? Well, it undoubtedly is. Imagine a game with ultra-smooth, hi-res graphics, fast action, tactics and an addictive quality rarely surpassed - you have the Halls of the Things. This new game has successfully combined a fantasy world scenario with the finest quality, arcade style action.

You, the adventurer, are trapped at the entrance to an eight storey tower. By climbing the stairs on the outside you may gain entrance to the different floors, but to escape you must find the magical key which operates the drawbridge and your only chances of freedom. Unfortunately, the key is hidden in the lowest dungeon, entrance to which can only be obtained if you have the seven spectral rings. These rings can be found scattered around the tower. To hinder your progress are the Things who are intelligent and highly destructive. You have a range of weapons including arrows, a sword, fireballs etc. To stay alive and to heal after injury, it is necessary to drink the bottles of elixir scattered throughout the tower.

For me this is the game of 1983 so far, its only competitor being The Hobbit of 1982. If this is the standard of imagination and innovation that we are to see in the future from Crystal Computing then the other software houses have a fight on their hands. Although it requires more thought than the arcade games produced by such companies as Ultimate, it can be played by anyone who is prepared to spend five minutes getting used to it before hours and hours of sheer pleasure.