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There has been a noticeable improvement in the titles that Virgin have brought out for the Commodore 64 recently. Luckily, Sorcery continues this trend. It is a straight conversion of the Spectrum game of the same name that proved relatively popular.

It was conceived by Martin Wheeler, the idea of the game being similar to that of Ultimate's legendary Atic Atac. The wizard moves about the screens (Seventeen of them) by levitation and doors. However, in each location there is a monster or three that would just love to star in the next 'Hammer House of Horror' movie.

From under the very noses of these creepies you must take objects (by pressing the fire button) and use them at certain points during your quest to destroy the evil Necromancer (boo! hiss!). Of course you have to find the purpose of each object by trial and error. But this aim is made more complex since it is only possible to carry one object at a time.

Ultimately you must place one of the objects on the altar at the final location, Stonehenge (yup, another spooky setting). But if you leave the wrong thing there watch out!

Added to all this, there is a fiendish time-limit and a percentile gauge of your energy - if either run out then you're dead.

Everything about this arcade adventure is polished; from the clear and colourful hi-resolution screens, to the sound effects and tunes.

The sudden thunder claps and lightning flashes which occur during the game are also excellent. Animation of both monsters and wizard is effective, being fast and flicker-free.

It presents a lasting challenge until you can defeat the Necromancer at Stonehenge, but then this will take some time to fathom out.

Seventeen totally different screens, each requiring careful planning, should puzzle even the most competent strategist.

The sound of electrical discharge - similar to the noise made by the spaceships in the old Flash Gordon series - is very realistic, as are the other sound effects. Moreover, the game loads very quickly, encouraging you to load it time after time, not that you'll need much encouragement.

From the moment you hear the deep, solid, tonal music, you can feel an atmosphere about the game. The graphics were very good, especially the ghost with the evil grin, and the 'mystical' backgrounds.

Games of Sorcery don't seem to last very long, even if you manage to do well. This pressure on time and energy makes for a hectic game, and trial and error seemed the best way of discovering the game's secrets.

Once accomplished the game will probably lose its attraction. But while you're striving towards Stonehenge, life will be one great magical rush.