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The Standing Stones is a role-playing adventure game set deep under Stonehende and is written by software supremos Electronic Arts (the people who brought you Skyfox, Archon, Archon II, M.U.L.E., Racing Destruction Set...).

Your quest, brave adventurer, is simple - retrieve the grail. Unfortunately you will have to battle your way through 15 levels of monster packed dungeons before you'll even get a glimpse of it.

Your character is created by the computer generating five random numbers that represents your Virility (how well you fight, strength, etc). Intellect (ability to cast magic spells). Holiness (ability to use passive clerical spells, agility and initial number of hits you can take before you die.

Armed with your trusty blade, advice from the old Dips Witch (the games instructions) and accompanied by the ghost of Lancelot you step bravely into the dungeon.

The screen display shows a three dimensional line drawing of the view in front of you which changes as you explore the rooms and corridors.

Sometimes you will find gold pieces strewn on the floor, other times treasure in the shape of potions, scrolls, chests and books but most likely you'll find trouble in the guise of a monster. Many strange creatures lurk in the dungeon. Most of them want to eat you whereas some can be bribed while others are actually friendly and if greeted may even give you some gold.

If you do get into a fight, you can either run away, fight your ground (and probably lose some hit points in the process) or cast a magic spell. These are the offensive spells and include fireball, lightning bolt and sleep which with a bit of luck will quickly despatch your foe. Unfortunately you begin the game with only one magic spell and one cleric spell which perform more passive actions as heal wounds, cure poison and blindness and move through walls. But by killing monsters and finding treasure you can earn enough experience to gradually gain more hits and spells. Someday you might be strong enough to brave the second level!

Strange creatures lurk in the depths along with usual orcs and kobolds as you will have to battle with ferocious glass panes and yetchy black blobs.

Deeper in the dungeons you may chance upon an Oasis where you can rest and heal yourself as well as gamble a little on curious races between monsters.

However all that lies ahead, but now I must gain some rest before venturing even deeper beneath the standing stones.