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Black Land is an old fashioned turn-based role playing game. But don't let that put you off. Whereas more recent RPG games have turned to real time based gameplay, turn-based allows for skill to win over random button bashing.

This is undoubtedly the best intro sequence I have seen for the CPC. It builds the backstory and brings us up to speed on the current situation very well. A truly epic intro with a great atmospheric soundtrack.

The character of Fres greets your team at the beginning of the quest and puts you through a test to prove your worth. The test involves you going down to Fres' basement to clear out the vermin. Doesn't sound too enthralling, but it gives a much needed introduction to the characters and functions.

Here you are introduced to your party. There's Goromon the magician, Bartoc the mountaineer, Vanessa the amazone and Orcus the gladiator. Each character has their own statistics like health, experience, close combat, long combat, magic, load, moves, etc. One of the characters is always defined as the Leader. It is this character who takes the lead in group mode. The party leader is marked by a bright frame around his character's portrait. To change the leader, simply click the Pointer on the portrait of the one you want to be the new leader.

The one gripe that I might have with the game is the isometric display, although very colourful and well drawn, it can seem confusing at first. The menus are located at the top of the screen and are accessed by clicking the pointer over them. Moving is confusing at first, you have to use the fire button in combination with the pointer to move and access the menus. To move as a group you will need to click the fire button for the pointer to appear and go over to the group icon and press fire. Your group will move around in a group now.

In Black Land, combat is based on strategy and tactics rather than fast action. You plan your team's actions and then they are played out when you click the end icon. Each turn a certain number of moves can be used for such actions as walking, fleeing and fighting. Energy lost from battles can be regained by having the character or party sleep.

There certainly is a lot of challenge here and mastering all the moves takes time. To get the most out of the game I recommend reading the Black Land: online manual, which explains about all the movements and options in more detail. With patience and persistence you will be rewarded with a true epic of a game which the CPC has never seen before, or ever will.

Without doubt, the biggest CPC game ever. The intro alone is huge and prepares you for the epic story to come. The character involvement and development pulls you in for the long haul and when it does, it's hard to put the controller down.

It may not appeal to every player, but then again what game does? Even if it's not your usual kind of game, just give it a try. You never know you might discover a genre you didn't even know existed.

Classic role playing adventure at its best. Nintendo had the Zelda series, Sega had the Shining series, now the CPC has Black Land.

Complete the first mission.

Graphics 86%
P. Drawn well enough for the genre.

Sound 81%
P. Okay effects with some great atmosphere music.

Grab Factor 78%
N. May take time to grab the uninitiated.

Staying Power 95%
P. Huge game with an epic story equals long staying power.

Overall 87%
Put any prejudices against the genre to one side, and enjoy one of the best role-playing adventures you will ever see on the CPC.