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The result of a quick knee-trembler between Satan and Szasan, Acamantor was destined to be evil. After sticking pins in a few old maps, he decided to practise his wicked ways in Belorn, to date just about the most peaceful land that ever there was.

Not ones to yield their peace peacefully, the Belornies revolted. Acamantor summoned a gang of demon princes to guard him against future attack. Long ago, in a game called Druid, these were destroyed by a bold mage-cum-hard man.

Now Acamantor has built a tower with deeper and darker levels, full of monstrous minions, mazes and puzzles. The aim is still the same: you have to nobble the demon or die in the attempt. Hidden doors, invisible paths, trap-doors and poison chests thwart you at every turn; but there are also chests containing powerful magic which you can use against your foe.

Your character is a tad stumpy but his legs can knock up a fair turn of speed - enough to escape most enemies or reach safety behind obstacles. Acamantor's spawn are, on the whole, a pretty stupid bunch of things that go 'wooooo' in the night. They can regenerate and home-in on you, but are easily dispatched or avoided.

If the action gets really tough, you've got an effective range of spells, and the ability to regain strength by standing on Energy Carpets (these look like the lighting effects in a 70's disco!). The most unusual spell is the ability to generate and control a clay golem. This creature can be manipulated in solo mode (with limited but adequate commands), or by a second human player.

This option is what makes the game so much fun to play: with a friend directing your golem, things don't always turn out as they should...

Druid and its sequel Enlightenment were both excellent games, but are now a bit long in the tooth - and this third instalment in the series isn't radically different from either. At first it doesn't even look much of an improvement over its predecessors, but, as you progress deeper and deeper into the later levels, its qualities become obvious. The range of traps and tricks is horribly devious, the enemies just keep getting tougher, and one false move leads to a swift demise - if you can survive level 5 without tearing your hair out, then you certainly deserve a medal!

If you enjoyed either of the predecessors, you'll love this: it plays like Gauntlet, with more puzzles and unusual twists. Two-player mode is particularly good, but even as a solo player you'll have hours of enjoyment figuring out all the traps and annihilating your enemies. It's challenging, frustrating and a lot of fun.

1. Keyboard and joystick isn't ideal.
2. Screen isn't all that big and the border flickers occasionally.

1. Eight tough levels - some of the later ones will have you smashing your joystick.
2. A surprise waits around every corner: the frequency of monsters depends on how you play.
3. Colourful backdrops lend a different atmosphere to every level.
4. Plenty of tricks to keep you scratching your head.
5. Great two-player option.
6. Opponents are nicely animated and very tough.
7. Spells to give the ghoulies the willies!