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This is not really an arcade game and, unlike Tau-Ceti (which is arcade with an adventure plot) this is strategy with graphics.

I have a friend who bought a Spectrum a year ago because he hoped to play Dungeons and Dragons on it. Although several brave attempts have been made, nothing actually satisfied him and eventually he sold it. This program will make him sick that he didn't wait!

PSS have been promising this program of over a year now, surely the longest wait for a program so far, and we have been gently reminding them at every opportunity. So, now it's here, what's it like?

Quite simply, it is the best version of Dungeons and Dragons ever produced on a computer. Using only six keys, three for movement and three to access menus, a wide range of actions can be executed. Two large windows are used, the main one at the top centre of the screen is a plan view of the maze showing your position and any monsters in the vicinity. Your character walks around this maze and, when you are engaged in battle, it becomes your status screen displaying both the monster's status details and your own.

On the right of the screen is a 3D perspective view of what you are facing; this also alters as you move. At the bottom of the screen, a window displays actions and conversations which you are engaged in. Finally, there is a menu of options which are selected by scrolling them unti the one you want is at the far left and then pressing key 9. Initial characters can either be the built-in default one (Flubbit the Dull), you can load a previously saved character from tape or initialise a new character and "train" him/her.

A little practice is required, but once mastered, using the keys gives fast access to the options which is just as well as the game needs ast decisions. I really enjoyed it and had some fascinating and humorous conversations with some rather strange beings. All is forgiven PSS, Swords And Sorcery is well worth the wait.