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The software arm of British Telecom has now moved into adventures with the inclusion of both Subsunk and The Helm in their range of budget software. Budget software does not always mean bad software and Subsunk proves this point, being a very competent graphic adventure.

You play the part of a reporter from The Seafarer's Gazette, with the highly unlikely name of Ed Lines. You are on board the Sea Lion, a submarine, researching an article about life onboard a modern working sub. Life, though, is not being kind to Ed Lines, as the sub is attacked by an enemy fleet while he is carrying out his research. The sub is overrun by the enemy, but Ed escapes capture by hiding under a bunk. The enemy leave and sink the sub with Ed on board.

At the start of the game, you are trapped in the sub on the sea bed. Your objective is to find your way to the sub's telex room and send a message to bring a rescue party. The message you must send is 'subsunk'.

This is not as easy a task as you may supposed, as it's rather a large sub for you to find your way around, and several problems must be solved before you can send the message.

This is a Quilled text adventure with graphics. The graphics are fairly simple, though the majority are not static pictures. Many feature flashing consoles and even a sonar. There are also occasional sound effects which accompany the pictures. The text descriptions of locations are fairly simple as well, being just the name of the room, the exits and anything of interest. Unlike Mordon's Quest, which had no graphics, this game lacks atmosphere. Everything is very stark and sterile.

It is, though, a very enjoyable game, mainly because of its sense of humour. As with Imperial Software's Clueso, which I reviewed last issue, Subsunk rises above its status as a standard Quilled adventure because it is quite funny in places. For example if you were to examine the sonar, the computer replies with "You're on the sea bed, matey!" There is also the result of pressing a button marked 'Galley'. You smell a burning noise, and upon visiting the galley you are attacked by a burnt slice of toast which escapes from the exploding toaster!

There are incidents at almost all locations, and messing around with levers, buttons and switches will always produce and switches will always produce a response of some kind, the majority of them in a humorous vein.

The game is adequately presented and laid out, though much more cannot be expected of a Quilled game. The graphics are of a simple nature, and scroll off the screen as you type your responses. The game supports a limited vocabulary of around 150 words, but that is large enough for the scope of the game.

As an attempt to supply budget price adventures, Subsunk succeeds admirably, as there are worse games on the market for double the price. Firebird are continuing in the adventure market with The Helm at the same price. If you want a cheap, but challenging, adventure then Subsunk is for you.