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This is a new graphic adventure game from an up-and-coming company, Dream Software. The current trend for flashy presentation packaging is continued. The instruction pamphlet (like the program itself) contains witty notes and very few clues.

As usual, the tape takes forever to load; although the screen display is claimed as 'Cert.XX'. Once loaded, you are straight into the adventure, with very little to help you.

The screen display is horizontally split Hobbit-style, with scrolling pictures and text. From the name you might expect this to be purely a medieval adventure, like Knight's Quest. You would be wrong; it's right up to date, including: CND pickets, nuclear-powered lamps, motorways, etc.

When a picture of a modern road with street lights appears, the text says "This picture is 500 years before its time, but who cares?!" There are also various references to other programs, for example: Eugene from Inagime, and if you ask 'who' you get "This isn't Valhalla, you know!"

The usual adventure facilities save/load/quit are provided. Plus graphics on/off, for when you get sick of seeing them time after time. However, no help or score routines are available, nor is character interaction allowed.

Don't be tempted to use bad language if you get frustrated; the program doesn't like it. It can even get insulting and will call you a nerd, or a berk on some incorrect entries. The responses are quick, as is the screen drawing. Unfortunately, the pictures don't help the action much, and are really just padding.

It is incredibly easy to get killed; this is where the program lets itself down. You can be battered to death with a Vic20, or suffer one of numerous other equally nasty fates. For example, if you try to enter the cesspit, it says "You're not God, and haven't learnt to walk on water yet!" The program abounds with such humorous touches; one aspect which is good fun.

Eventually you may manage to reach Camelot castle; just as you were thinking you had loaded the wrong tape by mistake. Once inside, I was immediately killed by the French guard. He unclogs his nose in your direction, and you die a horrible green death!

The film buffs among you will recognise this as a reference from the hilarious "Monty Python And The Holy Grail". This appears to have been the inspiration for the program; those who have seen the film will therefore be at an advantage! For instance, you can die at the hands of the knights who say "nic"; and get frizzled into a pile of bile salts! (Your fate can be quite gruesome at times.)

Ultimately you get frustrated with going through the early stages so often. The terminal boredom sets in; as dying is so easy, and happens very quickly. You merely get transported back to the start to try again. So for all its comic touches this program is already out of date by today's high standard of games.

The copying of a Hobbit-style screen and the addition of Monty Python ideas doesn't manage to hold your interest. The text and scenarios soon become tiresome, causing you to lose any incentive to try and progress further. Sorry Dream, better luck with the next attempt.