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Who fancies being a brave Barbarian hero? Y' know, the type with a big sword and more in his loin cloth than in his head. We sent Mark "Conan" Caswell off to sample the fine art of monster butt-kicking (and very fetching he looks in a loin cloth!) [and Hitler was a pacifist - Ed]. His remains are being posted back to us as we speak...

So you're now a brave Conan the Cimmerian type character with big sword etc, what's your mission? The beautiful Princess Latena has been kidnapped [Whoopee-do, girl's blouse galore - Man Ed], and when I say beautiful I certainly mean on a par with Lucy (I'll be nice to the Man Ed today and risk a slap round the head).

The villain of the piece is the Dark Lord (black cape, evil laugh, huge twirly moustache, the whole loft) and a very nasty piece of work he is too.

Collect three pieces of a Moontorc to explore four levels of the 'Old World'. Then hand the completed piece of jewellery to the Tollman (a tall skeletal figure, a bit hke the Grim Reaper). But watch your step 'cos there are plenty of 'ol Darkie's minions only too willing to pop your heroic clogs, and send you to heaven.

But fear not brave pilgrim 'coz you're well-armed, with your big pointy sword, an axe and a supply of very handy spells (izzy wizzy let's get busy, as the furry one would say).

Watch out for treasure chests: these contain gold to spend on goods in shops. You can't miss 'em especially as there's either a Witch, Druid or Jester standing outside (wailing to mug you and steal yer cash, ha, ha!).

There's loadsa bits 'n bobs to beg, borrow or steal, including Moontorc parts, spells, keys and food. Handy hint time: pick up as many keys as you can. Throughout the game there are plenty of locked (and differently coloured) doors lurking around.

Strong-arm tactics won't open these babies, you need a key (so you can put that rocket-launcher down, Phil). I'm not overly fond of this collect-'em-up type game, but since there's a fair amount of death and destruction in Moontorc I'll forgive Atlantis.

Graphically the games very colourful - indeed some of the colour schemes are utterly awesome (sunshades ahoy). Although the enemy troops take their jobs a bit too seriously for my liking. And it's not because I'm a crap gamesplayer, as some people claim [Oh really - Man Ed]. I think the problem's that the game often slows down in the middle of the action. This is annoying, but there's enough in Moontorc to keep all bar the most short-tempered person players.

Presentation 70%
Neat loading and title screens, no multi-load

Graphics 75%
Bright and colourful, not unlike a Lego set though.

Sound 73%
Pleasant title tune, bog standard in-game FX.

Hookability 68%
Initially tough to get into but OK after a while.

Lastability 75%
If you persevere, rewards are there to be reaped.

Overall 70%