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There can hardly be a C64 owner who doesn't remember the fuss made over Palace's last venture into the violent primeval world of Barbarian - whether it be for the bloodshed or the breasts. Well, after a year's break, Miss Whittaker is back in the flesh, and the blood (albeit yellow) is flowing once more.

Barbarian II is set immediately after the successful defeat of the evil Drax, who has since fled to his secret sanctuary deep within the dungeons beneath his black castle. Selecting the character of either the barbarian warrior or princess Marina - who is also adept with a blade - the player follows Drax into his underground lair in order to seek out and destroy the wizard once and for all... or at least until Barbarian III comes along.

Drax's inner sanctum is reached by negotiating three multi-loaded levels: the wastelands, the caverns and the dungeons themselves. Each level consists of approximately 28 screens, linked together to form a maze. The player's character is guided left and right and also through doorways which appear at the 'back' of the screen. Since the orientation of the next location alters when entered, a large sword constantly points north allowing the rooms to be mapped.

All three levels contain two magical objects which are vital for completion of the quest, providing improved resistance to harm, keys to unlock specific sections of the dungeon, and a jewel which is used to gain access to the innermost part of Drax's lair. Extra lives may also be found lying around in the shape of skulls.

The journey through Drax's domain is fraught with danger: the landscape is punctuated by streams of acid and holes in the ground which must be jumped over. Each level is also populated by six different types of monster which vary from the small, head-kicking troll found in the original Barbarian, to a huge, bloated Dungeon Master - and I do mean huge!

Once encountered, these creatures attack relentlessly until they are defeated, or an escape is made (although they often pursue their quarry into the next location!). Each blow sustained by either character depletes an energy bar, eventually killing the creature - which disappears in a cloud of green smoke - or ridding the barbarian of one of his six lives.

Barbarian II is an impressive product: the colourful settings, attention to detail, large sprites and amazing animation make for a visual treat, and the music and spot effects are on an equal par.

The lack of freedom of movement and limited combat actions (There are now only four) do make Barbarian II a little frustrating at times: when the barbarian gets pinned to a wall by a particularly vicious beast, it's difficult to get free or make successful counter-moves. Also, locating the 'turn around' command at the same joystick position as the 'low chop' proves to be a real pain. After a chop, releasing the fire button in preparation for the next move results in the barbarian turning to face the wrong way. Similarly, the natural instinct when under attack from one of the taller creatures, to duck by pulling down, has the same result. In the ensuing panic, you get duffed up a treat.

Until the layout of the screens and each aggressors' weak spots have been learned, Barbarian II will probably provide one or two fairly short games; but ultimately a lot of enjoyment is to be had from this brilliant hack-'em-up, which sets new standards for the genre.