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Well, the fall of the Roman Empire was never more speedily accomplished than under the control of myself, my Beeb and this cassette from Argus Press. It isn't that the program is exactly hard, but my talent for making the wrong decisions at the right time, or the right decisions at the wrong time have never been so amply provided for!

The basic idea is one of strategy, attempting to move various units of one's forces around a map of the Roman world in order to put off the inevitable result of the struggle for survival. There is plenty of time at one's disposal, with the game moving through twelve turns each representing a five year phase, starting in 395AD. During each phase, there are three distinct parts, each with the opportunity to make a hash of things! The first, dealing with financial decisions, requires the player to decide within limitations how the money should be moved around. Each province produces an income, although this varies, and the player may wish to make adjustments before the second part of the turn, the Movement phase. This obviously allows forces to be moved about, after which the unfriendly computer moves its various forces to counter the moves made. The third phase, Combat, allows the player to attack an enemy force in a province. The outcome is decided by formulae which are given with the game.

Despite the hints given in the cassette inlay, I was seldom able to reach great heights of glory. Perhaps this was because of my own undoubted talent for failure, I prefer to believe it was because of the complicated and intricate nature of the simulation. I do know that I have kept going back to this program again and again; it is that sort of program.