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Another interpretation of an 8-bit game, Lords Of Chaos is a fantasy strategy affair. One to four players can take part, each taking the role of a wizard. You play the game in turns, and have a certain number of action points for each turn. You use these to interact with the game - most commonly for moving about the land. Alternatively you can choose a spell from the 45 available. The commonest form is the Summon Creature spell, which enables you to invoke anything from a giant spider to a golden dragon. You can then move these creatures in the same way as your wizard. You can also concoct various potions if you have the right ingredients - a Speed potion, for instance, requires sulphur.

When you move about the land, everything is shown from above in a simplified plan view. On your travels, you can pick up food or take useful items like swords, for use in combat. The graphics are large, colourful and unambiguous, and there's some competent animation. Sound is reasonable a thud or fizz accompanies most spells and adds to the atmosphere.

Lords Of Chaos is for the more studious game-player. It takes some time to work out what to do, and there's not much frantic action, but that doesn't make it a bad game - strategy fans and RPGers are going to enjoy it. This is a refreshing change from shoot-'em-ups and wargames with ten-inch thick manuals.