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Arcade adventures are becoming increasingly popular on the Electron, and this budget priced offering from Atlantis will keep enthusiasts of the genre amused for many an hour as they try to solve its many mysteries.

Hobgoblin is set in the far off fantasy world of Altoris. This land that time forgot is surrounded on all sides by dense woods and foul smelling swamps. In it lived a peaceful race of people who were ruled by the good and kindly King Garath.

It was however, under constant attack by the vicious, devilish hobgoblins and ghosts from the Swampland kingdom, but fortunately, the power of the Golden Orb kept the people safe with its protective aura.

Catastrophe strikes - the Golden Orb is stolen, and with it, goes its protective power. Doom and gloom descend on the land of Altoris. King Garath summons his son, Zanok, a great warrior, and instructs him to go forth and recover the missing Golden Orb in order to restore peace and tranquillity to the land of Altoris.

You take on the role of Zanok and your quest is to recover the Golden Orb. You travel far and wide in this arcade adventure and you battle with many demons. Ghosts and hobgoblins can kill simply by touching you, and skeletons of long dead creatures are reincarnated to battle with you. And phantom bowmen armed with countless arrows take put shots at you.

The controls are walk left or right, jump and fire. Your firepower can be increased by collecting a glowing dagger or five treasures such as jewels, coins or treasure chests. Your weapon's range is increased by collecting a glowing arrow and an extra life is awarded for collecting three glowing skulls.

Hobgoblin isn't up to Citadel standard, but it is an exciting fantasy trip into the world of the arcade adventure which will keep you glued to your TV screen for many hours.

Hobgoblin is firmly set in the arcade adventure tradition and if you've seen - and enjoyed - the likes of Citadel and Palace Of Magic, then you'll love this offering from Atlantis.

The dozens of screens to map and explore, objects to collect and nasties to zap make this a game that you won't complete quickly. At £2.99 it represents excellent value for money.

Julie Boswell