This month our software review covers adventure games. These are not real-time action games, but games where you converse in English with the computer to move around in an imaginary world and accomplish certain goals, like hunting for treasure, etc. If you have never played an adventure game, it is difficult to explain how they can be so entertaining and so addictive. The fact that they are is underlined by the fact that Acornsoft have produced no less than three for the Beeb to date.

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In this game you are an apprentice magician and are the only person who can find the four stones needed to enter the tower to defeat the Demon Lord.

I found Adventure Quest confusing. I have not made a great deal of progress with it, but like all good things it is addictive. There are problems mapping this game initially because when you are killed (and resurrected) you are transported to a location which is not easy to place in relation to the previously mapped sites.

However, persevere and all will become clear in the end. This game only allows you to carry a limited number of objects so you must plan carefully.

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On the face of it, this is a standard "find treasure and kill dragons" adventure, with a nice touch at the finish. However, some of the treasures move about each time the game is played, thus making each game slightly different.

There is also a facility for one or two players. The two players can be allies or in opposition and this can be changed during the course of the game.

It also differs from other adventures in that there is no maximum score; your score is based on the number of moves, number of enemies killed and the treasures found.

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The quest in Firienwood is to find the magic Golden Bird of Paradise which has been imprisoned in a castle in the middle of an enchanted wood.

In return for its freedom, the bird is said to give you health, wealth and prosperity. Being a machine code program, the response time is extremely fast. An annoying feature to me, is that there seems to be a creature that appears at random and kills you without warning.

One point to remember about this game is that when you are asked if you would like another game, only press "Y" without a Return, otherwise you will lose the program. Bearing in mind it is only £6.50 though, I consider Firienwood to be good value for money.

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Sphinx Adventure was my first real try at an adventure game and I found it totally captivating. Now, having tried more adventures, I must say that this remains my favourite. There are some awkward problems to get around, for example, getting a jack out of a pit, which took me nearly a week to figure out.

The object of the game is to collect treasures and take them to the Sphinx. During the game some nasties will appear to try to rob you of some valuable items, either that or they try to kill you.

I have nearly completed this game on several occasions but still can't find the valuable box of matches that I need!

Although the price is relatively high this game will appeal to most adventure players and even non-Adventure players like me because it is very witty in many places, for example, try killing the giant rabbit.