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The Lost Crystal has been over two years in the making and supposed release dates have come and gone like managers of Aston Villa. However the wait was definitely worth it - this is one of the best adventures I have ever seen.

It is offered in a superlative manner, with two cassettes, packaged with help and instruction booklets in a scintillating presentation box. The screenshots on the insert give an indication of the graphics ahead.

Indeed, though I am no fan of graphic adventures, I have to admit that these far surpass those in other classics such as Twin Kingdom Valley or the disc version of The Hobbit. The problem of having to toggle between graphics and text, evident in those adventures, has been overcome by some marvellous redefined multiple-tasking - which allows both to appear on the screen at the same time.

The documentation helps set the scene for the magnum opus which follows. "The Rainbow Crystal which has protected the people of Zaloria for many years," (from the hideous Bogle and his marauding Morgs), "has been struck by a mysterious bolt of lightning and shattered into seven pieces." You have been chosen as the hero whose task is to recover the fragments, find a way to recreate the Rainbow Crystal and restore peace to the Freelands.

The adventure boasts over 400 graphically illustrated locations, achieved thanks to a four-part loading system which in no way spoils the continuity of the game. Full instructions on loading are included in the Instruction booklet.

You begin this massive jaunt standing to the south of a large windmill. An exploration of this and its storehouse should enable you to solve these early puzzles which are really just beginners' fare, though you may get a shock when the milkman knocks for his money. Don't forget that Milk has gotta a lotta bottle!

In part two the going gets tough - and I resorted on at least one occasion to the excellent Help book. Careful progress through the many twisty passages - don't worry, it isn't a maze - and assistance from the strong but cowardly Miller should help you overcome these hurdles, but don't waste that coin! The Bogle is soon encountered and the poor Miller must be sacrificed to save your own skin. Who said Epic was heathen!

The third part isthe largest and most difficult, and involves cunning manipulation of objects, some excellent chaining puzzles and thestart ofyour collection of lost crystals. You will now discover the use for that sail pole which you have been carrying since the beginning of the game.

A secret passage will reveal a Priestess who is really a trading post for some of the possessions you are carrying. In part four, you become involved in a titanic struggle to rescue Merlin and must defeat the hydra, a dragon and a vampire before being reunited with an old acquaintance. The end is both spectacular and amusing.

My only criticism of the game is that the colours are sometimes a little garish. But if (like me) you can do without them, the simple command GROFF will revert the game to a text-only format.

The puzzles are, on the whole, logical and typical of the Epic style ofconstruction, present in say Wheel Of Fortune or The Holy Grail.

The humour abounds and is pleasantly refreshing. I loved the references to Merlin and myself, Pendragon - just try typing HELP, for example!

The most important character in the game - besides yourself - is the Miller who demands sympathy and affection. I adored his vernacular comments at various stages of the game, and his muscular help is required on more than one occasion.

This is a rare adventure which has a lot to offer to beginner and expert alike. It is not, perhaps, in the same genre as Robico or Level 9 releases but is a whole new experience which must be savoured.

With well over 100 text adventures on my shelf and the task of evaluating new releases almost every week, it can be easy to fall into the trap of complacency or smug indifference. However, when adventures such as The Lost Crystal come my way they banish any such feeling and put me firmly in my place.

This was an adventure I simply could not ignore, and must whole-heartedly recommend.

Pendragon