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What a shame. If yuo've seen the Spectrum and Amstrad versions of this game you know that it's really hot. Sadly, the C64 version falls far short.

So what's wrong with it? Well, graphics are fine, the tune's groovy, the gameplay fantastic, but there's a bug in every bite!

I'm afraid the C64 version is so bugged that you can't win.

The game is all about two wizards, Learic and Learnoic, who have fallen out and are having a feud.

These wizards must collect special herbs from the magical gardens, and mix them up to make spells. Once armed with a spell, you can use it on the villagers, the enemy or even yourself.

Each spell contains two ingredients, which can be mixed in your cauldron. Each spell has a different effect, especially the bugged one!

The spells got from the harmless type, i.e. invisible, to the meaty types, like lightning bolts and fireballs. Once your wizard has mixed and armed himself with a spell, he can set out to duff up his brother. (Yes, they're brothers - well, boys will be boys.)

To help you avoid your evil kin, you have a magic compass, which is really a scanner, and it points in the direction of the enemy. This is also used when you go looking for trouble, and is an all-round help.

Usually, your evil counterpart is where you want to go, so you must wait for him to leave before heading for a certain herb. Also, the owner of the magical garden, a certain Hieke, will try to stop you going into his garden, so it may be best to use a spell or two when approaching him.

As you defeat Learnoic, you will see his statue start to sink into the earth.

The game is sort of 'Ultimate' based, if you know what I mean, with your unning around the screen like the guy from Sabre Wulf. Luckily, there are no sleeping rhinos about.

However, watch out for the bugs:

1. When you cast the sprite spell, you seem to sink into the ground and suddenly you can't play anymore. 2. When you finally make Learnoic's statue sink, and are expecting a congrats message, you receive one about your death instead. Should you lose, you receive the same message!

If there were no bugs, I would have suggested this game be a cheapo-of-the-month - no doubt about it. It truly indicates high value at £2.99, and I can only hope that Bulldog rework the C64 version and then offer trade-ins on the old tape.

This game has really nice graphics, and gameplay that's very addictive, two important features yet it has been destroyed on the C64, in fact, dare I say it [No - Ed] go and see it on the Amstrad to see exactly what you're missing.