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The original Temple Of Apshai adventure was released by CBS when they held the import licence for Epyx. Now that has passed to US Gold, Apshai has been re-released in a trilogy pack containing not only The Temple Of Apshai but also the Upper Reaches Of Apshai and the Curse of Ra.

All three parts naturally use the same system which is known as the Dunjonmaster. This controls the fortunes and misfortunes of your brave adventurer as he explores the four levels of each dungeon in search of fame and fortune.

The game begins in ye olde inne where you can barter for the weapons and armour and healing salves that will give you a fighting chance of survival. Then it's into the fray.

You can enter any level of any dungeon though it's a good idea to start at level 1 until you get to grips with the controls. These are a mixture of joystick movements and keyboard presses that allows your character to roam around the dungeons rooms and corridors, search for traps and secret doors, pick-up and drop treasures as well as challenge monsters that you meet with a bewildering array of cuts, thrusts and parries.

The typical screen display shows you in the centre surrounded by a 3D representation of the rooms and corridors around you which are drawn as you move through the dungeon. To the right of this is a display which shows your current state of health, the weight of objects you are carrying as well as the number of arrows and healing salves that you have left.

Scattered throughout the dungeon are numerous chests which may contain treasure, a trap, both or worthless garbage. Unfortunately, before you can worry about this you will have to deal with countless critters ranging from ghouls to giant leeches.

It's worth remembering as you get hacked down by an impressive range of nasties that "it's all good experience" and although you're not getting richet you do live to fight another day as an awfully kind Cleric ressurrects you.

Gradually you will get stronger and start hitting back when you'll find enough treasure to buy better weapons from the innkeeper and so on. Then it's on to level 2 or perhaps the beginning of one of the other dungeons.

Since the Dunjonmaster allows you to enter your own character details so that you can transport your favourite D&D character to Asphai it is tempting to give yourself a maximum of 18 in each category, thousands of experience points, pots of silver and even a magic sword. Confidently you head straight for level four, and die.

The trilogy's 82-page instruction book contains full details of the three dungeons and even includes lyrical room descriptions but I never seem to have time to read them.

If you tire of Temple itself, you can have a quick sortie into one of the other dungeons. The Upper reaches of Apshai lies immediately above the Temple and includes 150 rooms including the innkeeper's backyard. Here you will meet anything from wet laundry to zombies.

Finally, as a rest from the deadly to the ridiculous you can find a curious haven in the Curse Of Ra where you will find mummies, skeletons and sphinxes and perhaps the end of your quest.

Three adventures for the price of one that will provide adventurers with a challenge at every level.