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Television and computer games rarely mix. It seems that the ancients who control the ancients who control the airwaves are totally ignorant about the millions of people who play computer games.

So when Knightmare the television programme surfaced last year the event was no less than staggering. For the time, the elements of live role-playing, adventure games, stunningly brilliant computer graphics and television and being skilfully blended into a highly entertaining show. The team behind it, including game designer Tim Child, should be congratulated. And Anglia TV deserves a pat on the back for having the guts to go for it.

Now Activision's game of a game show is out. The television formula has been adapted into more of a straightforward arcade adventure.

You play a knight placed in the dungeons of Damonia Castle. The aim is explode, survive and escape.

In the television programme the Dungeon Master, Treguard, would appear at various times to guide the adventuring knight with clues, hints and help. He also appears in the game to monitor your progress.

As your knight moves through the dungeons - a nice feature here is that each screen flips over like the pages of a book - encountering various inhabitants, oracles, one good, one bad, guards, puzzles etc. You can use word commands to communicate with those you encounter. Also to pick up, drop and use things. Your knight's lifeforce is shown by a burning candle on the edge of the screen.

On the Knight's travel you can also attain magical powers which allow you to indulge in a little Spellcasting.

These spells are:

1. Anvil
   This hovers in the air until it is commanded to fall and crush.
2. Caspar
   This is a key which opens certain doors in the castle.
3. Alchemy
   This spell turns people into gold spheres which can be collected as treasure.
4. Ice
   This spell does what its name implies - turns people into toads.
5. Metamorph
   Changes characters into other beings.

It's also possible to engage your knight in a little bit of combat. But don't expect Barbarian-style action. All you have to do is move next to the character who is the object of your aggression and hit fire repeatedly for the battle to commence.

Arcade adventures everywhere should find Knightmare a thoroughly enjoyable game. I know I did.