In contrast to Mindshadow's professionalism comes what can only be called an amateur adventure, not from America but from my home town, Woking. A series of cataclysmic events indicates the end of the world - but they are in fact being caused by evil aliens, playing a demented game to relieve the boredom of their eternal lives. Taken to their planet, you must save earth from destruction.

Time Of The End is an imaginative hotch-potch of ideas. Inspiration ranges from Monty Python and Bob Dylan to the ubiquitous Hitchhiker's Guide. At one point you become a bird and fly about; at another you lose your body and need to engage in deep philosophy. There is also a kindly alien called Kilroy. He tried to warn earth of its destruction with his graffiti, but it was misinterpreted!

Description is atmospheric, sometimes lengthy and above average. There is a peculiar offbeat wit - laughs from ideas rather than words. Where the game falls down is in its limited vocabulary; any game which requires USE needs improving. This restrictive vocabulary makes play feel linear, more an effort to find the right word than solve puzzles. Sound is really naff, particularly the death march. The game presentation I found rather unprofessional; a redesigned font, and less long pauses, garish colour and beeping would have improved this.

Generally then, a cheap (four pounds) and cheerful adventure; not bad if you like the idea and don't mind word matching, but hardly competition for Level 9.