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Thor's parents, King and Queen, tried not to worry about their son. The impetuous young prince was both the darling and the bane of the news sheets, depending on how the editor felt that day. Several of high society's virgin damsels had been linked with the celebrated bachelor, but adventure was more his bag, and he rarely spent two consecutive nights at the Royal Palace, between his trips to potential treasure sites and far-off fabled places.

During his most recent absence, though, strange things had concerned the court. Marauding hordes had been terrorising the townsfolk, and a general air of something bad and niffy was inescapable; however much Daz you put in with your underpants. And when the good son Thor arrives back with a spangly new arm bangle, Mater and Pater fear the worst... No silly! I mean he's resurrected a magical object infused with the power of two great wizards of yore. Oh no, looks like one of the 'ancient-revived-curses-set-to-destroy-the-world' days.

Thor has been aeons in development (as befits such a massive game) from new team on the block, Ancient.

Reunite the twin armlets to protect your kingdom from the evil intentions of Shade and the silver armlet.

Being a bit of a lad, and a Blur fan, Thor knows how to look after himself when out and about. His basic walking and fighting moves are easy to pick up, but there are several advanced attacks that may be learned, to devastating effect. Some of these are most effective against particular foes: a jumping swipe is perfect against flying creatures, for example.

Chances are you'll get a little peckish on your trek, more so if the opposition is knocking seven colours out of you. This is where the wonderful invention of food comes in. Just eat it and feel much, much better. Food comes in lots of forms, from holey cheeses to garlic bulbs (Thor obviously has a plentiful supply of Gold Spot). The replenishing effect varies from foodstuff to foodstuff, with large meaty chunks doing the biz. Some nibbles haev a different effect.

Thor's fetching new arm jewellry, the Gold armlet, is a potent piece of conjuring equipment. With it he can fire bolts of magical energy which have various effects; opening doors, summoning spirits, activating portals, etc.

However, the power of the armlet depletes gradually when in use. Sunlight will restore its power, but this is not available in underground or indoor areas of the game. Some foods restore armlet power instead of Thor's health. Look out especially for the electric blue grapes.

Thor easily fits the title of 'Man at Arms' as there is luscious range of weaponry to be collected during the quest. The standard piece of equipment is Thor's altknife, a small blade, but with infinite uses. Collectable weapons have limited uses, the weapons menu is used to skip between them and also tells you how many hits each has left. Weapons are arranged into classes (swords, bows, bombs, etc) with different models of ascending power. Some of the best are well hidden in secret chambers, so you'd do well to look out for suspicious walls and doors.

1. Bow (Standard, Metal, ATM, Fire)
2. Sword (Standard, Broad, Death)
3. Bombs (Standard, Power, Hyper)

Thor's journey takes him across forest, sea and mountain: through swamp and dungeon and amidst eerie ruins and holy shrines. A small map with his location and next destination is always available. There is much more to the game that the areas shown here:

1. The Village
   Friendly townsfolk live at the port where Thor first disembarks, but they are of little more use.
2. Royal Palace
   Ma and Pa offer comfort and advice. There is also a library with clues enscribed in three books.
3. Water Shrine
   The first complex to investigate. Dripping sewers and a tricky tidal passage. There's also a large and very hairy spider to confront.
4. Waterfall
   Much lies behind its tranquil waters. Explore the caverns of bats, snakes and zombies, to the fiery inner chambers and a horrifying skull boss.
5. Swamp
   Muddy waters and carnivorous fish fill this fetid area between levels.
6. Swamp Fortress
   The first collection of heavily-armoured knights of doom, throwing all manner of things from the battlements. Inside, Thor works his way to an underground jetty.
7. Ship
   The story takes Thor aboard a high seas vessel, crammed with enemies, with a further unexpected confrontation up on deck.
8. Promontary
   One of the most puzzling areas of the game, with a series of doors requiring keys. The zombie attacks intensify and a troublesome waterfall forms the centrepiece of the layout. The finale is a large rock monster, guarding the return passage to the surface world.
9. Castle
   A taxing series of chambers with intelligent spikes, wall spears and new opponents, including teleporting wizards. Inside and out, the action moves from the dungeons to the battlements.
10. Mountain Fortress
    Within here lies the key to the mystery of the gleaming diamonds scattered around, but it's a secret protected by wind-powered traps and a truly monstrous guardian.

It's a long quest, but not always a lonely one, as you soon have spirit companions. The armlet grants you power over friendly elementals, which may be summoned to your aid. After finding the elemental in their shrine, they will instruct you on the summoning procedure, normally by firing the amulet on fire, water, etc. Once summoned the elemental will shadow you, putting their won powers at your disposal. However, using their powers increases the drain on your armlet energy, so their presence is normally short-lived.

1. Dytto
   The water faerie, who has command over that element and the power to neutralise fire. She has power to heal Thor, freeze his enemies temporarily, or rage into a spinning aquaeous tornado.
2. Efreet
   Spirit of cleansing fire and a formidable friend. Efreet smashes through ice barriers and has three offensive powers: a fiery breath, a flaming torpedo and a blistering circular inferno.
3. Shade
   A lost spirit from another dimension, Shade looks creepy but turns out to be an invaluable friend. He'll catch you if you fall, reach out and strike your enemies and grasp distant objects.

Like the last great Sega RPG (Soleil - just out - 91%) there's a little racing track included, although Thor's is quite well hidden. It's really a test of your control over the fire elemental, as you guide him through five laps of a closed circuit. Record-breaking times are rewarded with a good or item bonus.

Thor's distinctive soundtrack has been created by Yuzo Koshiro, a familiar name to those acquainted with Megadrive music. Yuzo has won numerous awards for past works, like music for all the Streets Of Rage games. With Thor he has attempted to create a movie-like score, with subtle themes that change in relation to the action, but not abruptly.

Thor has been in Ancient's workshop for some time, with only the occasional tasty screenshot issuing forth. Then suddenly the finished game comes our way, and it's obviously been a labour of love.

I cannot recall a Megadrive game of quite so much qualiity and detail in a long time. Enormous work has gone into the character animation, not only for Thor himself, but all his adversaries. The locations are excellent and the range of weapons, combat attacks and elemental powers quite overwhelming.

Ancient have succeeded in uniting the depth and choice of an RPG game with a constant supply of action, making Thor a true arcade adventure, backed with a strong storyline and gameplay that develops accordingly.

The only factor that stops this scoring off the scale is the ease with which some areas may be cleared. Thor is perhaps a little too powerful with all his attacks, weapons, food and elemental aids when coupled with the restart points and battery save.

Limiting the saving option to a few select points might have overcome this. That aside, this stands out like a jewel in the release schedule, and actually sets new standards in Megadrive adventures, notwithstanding excellent titles like Soleil and Landstalker.

When I initially heard report of an Action RPG with all the depth of a major adventure to rival the Shining Forces and Landstalkers of this world, and a combat system more at home in Streets Of Rage, I couldn't believe my ears. But here it is, in all of its glory, and I have to say it is astounding!

From the minute you pick up the joypad, there is an overwhelming sense of solid gold quality. Thor's control is a dream, representing possibly one of the best animated RPG central characters to date. From the intensity of his multiple combo-style attacks, to the way in which he picks up an object, it is obvious that a huge amount of time has been spent in making this one of the best console RPGs ever. Location-wise you will be trudging through some superbly elaborate and carefully planned out dungeons. And as for the bosses, well, what can I say except they are incredible in both their size and design.

But as Gus points out, sections of the game are just too easy to get through without putting up too much of a struggle. Being able to save the game at any point may sound like an ace idea for frustrated RPG veterans, but it does detract from the playability. But this is only a minor niggle in what is otherwise a fantastic achievement.

Graphics 96%
P. Fantastic during every step of the quest. The character sprites are massive and well animated, with copious dazzling special effects to boot.

Sound 91%
P. Not perhaps the most immediate of Yuzo Koshiro's work, but complements the style of game perfectly. Brilliant spot FX.

Playability 93%
P. From the very first skirmish, to the last and deepest dungeon, Thor is enthralling, challenging and everything a Megadrive classic should be.

Lastability 89%
P. Many hours of play, many late nights, all of it enjoyable and compulsive.
N. Just too easy with the game set-up for endless continues.

Value For Money 90%
P. There is nothing that deserves your money more than Thor at this moment in time.

Overall 93%
Arcade adventures - don't ya just love 'em? Well, in the case of Thor it's amore at first sight. This is one hell of a game.