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A strange thing happened yesterday I had just arrived in Kavla after a horrible ferry-crossing from Gamul, where my expedition to find the Treasures of Gypta had at last been successful. With the Gypta statue under my cloak, I headed past the guards at customs, hoping that our 'gentlemen's agreement' was still in place and I wouldn't be searched. Then, at Jamal's, just as I was closing the deal for the booty, a tiny faerie girl flew through the window from the street below, begging for my protection. Seconds later, that ruthless bounty-hunter Kayla appeared with her two hench-lizards, demanding the sprite be handed over in no uncertain terms.

Being heavily outnumbered, I jumped over the parapet with the girl and hid in some bushes! After giving them the slip, I grilled her on why they were after her. Turns out she knows the whereabouts of King Nole's treasures on some nearby island, making her a very populat contact at the moment. Gold coins in my eyes, I suggested we hop onto an Eagle and go a little exploring of our own. We reached the island and found board in a one-mule town called Massan - perfect because it's near the caves. An early start is planned for tomorrow...

Landstalker is from the same team that produced Shining Force (93%) and is in the full arcade-adventure tradition.

Explore the island's caves, country and cities: killing beasts, solving puzzles and unravelling themystery of King Nole's treasure.

Forget the Michelin, here's an essential tour guide to the island: with the best inns and hotels, places of interest, wizard's towers, decaying crypts, etc.

1. Fantasy Island
   The mysterious (and nameless) island your adventure takes place on is a mixture of towns and wild countryside. Outside the protection of the stockades, dangerous creatures roam, making your sword an essential item. At first, these take the form of bubbles and mushroom men, but in the interior, orcs, snake men and huge purple trolls are blood-hungry.
2. Massan
   Massan is a tiny settlement in the North-East of the island. The people are renowned for their hospitality and docility. Near their village is a set of caves carved out by a strong underground river. The scholar Prospero has made his home there.
3. Gumi
   Gumi is Massan's nearest neighbour, linked by a bridge. The people of Gumi are stronger than the Massan and good at heart, but apt to indulge in some strange religious ceremonies. Their dabblings in the occult have caused some concern. The coastal path between Gumi and Ryumu is regularly troubled by rockfalls.
   
   Place Of Interest: Shrine
   This labyrinth of caverns lies between Gumi and Massan, beyond a noxious swamp. There is rumoured to be a shrine to His Dark Excellency at the heart of the maze of traps and puzzles, where human sacrifice is offered, though few pass beyond the doors of solid-rock to confirm it.
4. Ryumu
   A small town on a headland, Ryumu is in decline due to the growing influene of Mercator. Despite its small size, Ryumu is a hot-bed of intrigue in its municipal affairs, and finding someone who'll talk openly is difficult.
   
   Place Of Interest: Lighthouse
   The lighthouse or Ryume is one of the island's tallest structures. Powered by the rare Sunstone, it is an invaluable guide to ships entering the foggy bay.
5. The Promontary
   This remote strip of land is reached by raft from Ryumu. Inside are scared relics of the golden goddess, set around a tranquil pool and spectacular waterfall. However, the setting has been defiled by thieves and kidnappers, using the place as a base, and preparing elaborate ball and spike traps for unwelcome visitors.
6. Mercator
   The largest town on the island, Mercator boasts all sorts of attractions. The town is an expensive place to stay, due to the high taxes imposed by Duke Mercator, the undisputed ruler of these parts. The guards surrounding Mercator are quite choosy about who they let in. Sightseers shouldn't miss:
   
   1. Madame Yard's
      What goes on in Madame's Yard when only grown men are allowed in? Shadowy figures flit from the Palace to this popular "members' only" club.
   2. The Royal Palace
      This huge residence, surrounded by gardens, houses the art collection of the Duke, along with a library, grand dining room, and armoury of the Ducal guard (which is marshalled by the famed warrior Arthur).
   3. The Port
      All the ships coming to the island dock here, so the marketplace on the pier is a sensible idea. The cheapest Ekeke on the islands. The duke has his own personal berth - and yacht for that matter!
   4. The Crypt
      Hideous moanings and ghastly vapours emit from this collection of remains, of past Mercatorans. The crypt is one massive puzzle, solving by cracking ten separate riddles, carved as epitaphs on each tomb.
   5. Greenpea's
      Where fools and their money are easily parted, but gain skill at his ball game and easy cash may come your way.
   6. Ludwig's
      Celebrated composer and musician, Ludwig teaches and performs by Royal command. He also knows more about the affairs in Mercator than is good for him.

A strange puzzle is set by the large trees found close to many of the island's towns. At first, they seem to have no purpose, but they've been called a 'treasure hunter's best friend'. What does this mean?

Drop in for tea with an evil sorcerer, holding the island to ransom. First, you'll have to work out a way past the energy field at his tower's entrance.

You'll need to maintain your strength after the repeated attacks of monsters. Three locations, dotted aroound the island are useful to this end.

Shops of all sorts exist - most sell Ekeke, the life restoring herb. Detox grab is another popular line, and life-stocks (which are very expensive). In the larger town, weapons and armour are freely available. Bear in mind that prices may vary considerably.

Inns give you a place to rest and recover your hit points. Most of them also have a map book that allows you to view your location on the island. Staying at inns costs money, but they are places to pick up valuable information.

Priests in places of worship are adept in curing all ailments caused by evil creatures and spirits, and also for recording your progress (save game). Just take the relevant book from the shelf and place it on the lectern.

Megadrive moaners are always saying the best games on the machine are groovy and playable but often too shallow. Silence, fools!

Landstalker is lavish, action-packed, taxing and extremely deep. In just about every department: graphics, playability, game plot and size. Landstalker defers to nothing else. The programmers have produced a really solid-looking isometric 3D, with amazing stone and wood textures.

There's a vast variety of locations and landscapes, each with its own excellent soundtrack. But Landstaler is made a classic by the involved plot that surrounds your adventuring. The story adds another dimension to exploring the vast dungeon areas, making it as much a brain game as an action adventure.

The more you play, the more you realise this is by far the best adventure game on the Megadrive.

Landstalker doesn't make for any ground-breaking achievements but is something very different for the Megadrive. At times I find that the odd perspective employed is confusing - platforms that appear in one position may lie in another.

Pitfalls often prove lethal as Nigel's journey progresses so this becomes a bit irritating. Other than that the game is a marvel. Not only is it visually magnificent, but the interaction between characters is always entertaining with a great line in humour supplying light relief on occasion.

Every location in the vast adventure is richly depicted with as much care applied to background images as the main players. Consequently the eyes are always entertained by places and characters visited many times before in the course of exploration. Sega also provide an outstanding musical score, yet again, with a consistently good mix of soothing madrigals and rousing marches.

Landstalker is guaranteed classic status in no time at all.

Presentation 91%
P. Clearly set out screen display, loads of amusing in-game touches and sequences.
N. The long intro cannot be skipped (unless you've saved a game) which is highly irritating.

Graphics 96%
P. Really fabulous and oozing quality. Landstalker features a vast array of places and people, all rendered in beautiful isometric 3D.
N. Some of the enemy sprite designs are bland (only at the beginning).

Sound 90%
P. The music changes constantly to fit the mood and scence. It suits each perfectly.

Playability 94%
P. A mixture of many game styles from the first dungeon onward, hooking you from the moment it begins. You have the freedom to explore and backtrack to find the game's many surprise features.

Lastability 95%
P. There are five gemstone quests and numerous sub-plots and sub-levels in your path to gain them. The game's difficulty rises to meet your growing skills. There's weeks of play here.

Overall 94%
Landstalker is an adventure masterpiece, that has something for every type of Megadrive owner. This is the one Sega game you should not miss this year. It cannot fail to delight.