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Lewis Carrol's masterpiece has been chosen as the first game for Magnetic Scrolls' new Magnetic Windows system. Following Alice's adventures in her dream wonderland, you must guide her through the surreal world, coping with rabbits in waistcoats, the Queen of Hearts, and even the hookah-smoking caterpillar.

The new system is an advanced variation on the classic text adventure - and, in fact, can be played as such if you so desire. This would be a little silly though, as the Windows system has a great deal to offer to make life easier. First off, there are the graphics - not only highly detailed and accurate, but often animated as well (the dancing chairs in the music room are one example)!

Other windows include the inventory, where all current possessions can be seen, the room contents window, a compass icon, and even an automatic mapping function. This all helps to make the adventurer's life easier, and if that wasn't enough there are pull-down menus which give access to a host of other options. The layout of information windows is completely redefinable but to avoid hassle, a tidying option rear-ranges them to make the best use of the space available.

Every time an action results in increasing the score, the system points it out - so the player knows he must be doing something right!

If, like me, you're a big fan of previous Magnetic Scrolls games such as Fish! and The Pawn, you'll go bananas over this system. The graphics are stunning, the storyline is funny (as well as being accurate to the book), and the Magnetic Windows system is a joy to use.

The auto-mapping facility alone is an enormous boon to adventurers, and this, combined with the ability to manipulate items on-screen adds new dimensions to traditional adventuring. Luckily Magnetic Scrolls avoided the temptation to become Sierra clones, and have now released a games system that leads the field.

I personally think that this opens the genre to people who would normally never touch adventures, and that can only be a good thing. Be warned, however; Magnetic Scrolls haven't made their challenges any easier, so it can be a frustrating time exploring Wonderland!