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This adventure was originally published by Acornsoft in 1982 and sold 25,000 copies on tape and disc. You would imagine therefore, that there seemed little point in another company re-releasing it, as most respectable adventurers would already have a copy of the original.

However, it has been totally rewritten by its author, Peter Killworth, and in many respects is a different game from its predecessor.

Philosopher's Quest is now in disc form only, which means it is much larger with extra locations and a thicker layer of atmosphere, thanks to more detailed room descriptions.

The constant disc access slows down responses, but that gives you more time to think. Philosopher's Quest is not a difficult adventure by the standards of, say, Acheton, but you will need to do a lot of head-scratching.

Magic wands can be dangerous things. The one you found in the junk shop off Market Street was no exception. It was a mistake to wave it while the cranky old shopkeeper's back was turned. One wave of that wand and you have been transported into a parallel existence in the same shop on another plane in a complex of caves.

A voice echoes in your mind: "Go and seek the treasure, mortal, and bring it back here in payment for the misuse of my wand. You will need every ounce of cunning to deal with the serpent in the Garden of Eden, the ancient mariner, and myriad other problems too difficult to mention".

So the scenario is set, leaving you as the hero to think, and, having thought, to act and think again.

All the familiar characters are still in the adventure - the old lady who has lost her dogs, the albatross and the whale - but the order in which you solve the game has changed quite dramatically. The M. E. passages are still bound to fox you and the solicitor's office will require a visit or two.

A novel and intelligent addition to this game is the facility to construct your own database disc and thus save wear and tear on the original copy. The game also comes with an excellent hint booklet, a leaflet all about playing adventure games and marvellous packaging.

Philosopher's Quest should appeal to a wide adventure-buying public. Whether or not you have played the original Acornsoft version of this game, I recommend this revamped escapade without reservation.

Pendragon