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Sorcerer's Castle gets off to a bad start before the game itself even begins. While the game is being set up, you are supposed to be entertained by a clock face which, so the inlay says, is "worth waiting for". What you actually get is a sort of minute hand slowly making its way round towards 12 o'clock, with a rather half-hearted beep when it arrives.

After that, you can choose which character you want to be, from elf to wizard, with intelligence, strength and dexterity being apportioned accordingly. Then you have a choice of things to buy, from' armour to flares. Next the game proper starts - but will end promptly if you try to go North at your first input.

Your task is to enter the sorceror's castle and track down his crown. At any time during the game (unless, of course, you have been blinded) you can press m to summon a map and find out where you are. Cry h for help, and the menu of options will open to you.

There are a lot of things to meet, and many things to pick up on the way round.

But despite all this, the longest game I managed was about 20 minutes. A good idea in principle, which didn't work out in practice.

B.B.