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Empire's long-awaited cartridge attempts to overshadow Shadow Of The Beast - so, does it parallax scroll into legend or limp into obscurity? Our reviewer takes up arms and legs it...

I will relate the plot of this game in shorthand as it's far too convoluted and tedious otherwise. Wizard summons demon, demon kills wizard, demon lays waste to land then has a long kip before people return. Demon wakes up in order to lay waste again. People get a bit miffed about it and send best warrior to give demon a good going over. Wrath Of The Demon is very much a Shadow Of The Beast clone - not in structure but in the fact that there is less to it than meets the eye, but more on that later.

The game unfolds over a series static screen beat-'em-up and scrolly collect-'em-up levels. In level one, our hero is on horseback as eight levels of parallax backdrops scroll from right to left. You can move the horse right and left but it's a bit pointless really as the best bet is to stay to the far left to give you plenty of time to see oncoming hazards. Pushing up on your tendril of titillation [I think he means joystick! - Ed] makes your steed jump to avoid the various crates and rocks scattered about.

Occasionally, potions and other treasures pass by. When they do, pull your stick down and your man will dexterously reach down and grab them. Press fire to make the character punch at flying creatures which would otherwise cause serious head injuries.

Levels two and three are beat-'em-ups. Level two contains a staff-wielding goblin and his stone throwing cohort. Ignore the stone thrower and concentrate your attacks on the other one. Level three is a bit more challenging. A huge green dragon kicks and head butts you into oblivion. Sadly though, his attack patterns are much the same as the goblins. In each case you simply have to find the best way to attack then repeatedly use it until the beastie dies.

So far the challenge has been all but non-existent. Then suddenly, in level four, it all becomes nightmarishly difficult. It's another scrolly bit but this time you're on foot. You can't use your mastery of the sword but have to rely on your ability to perform spectacular rolls, jumps and punches.

Completing this level relies solely on remembering a sequence of hazards which includes horned beasts, giant spikes, worms, huge ants and flying gargoyles. Tragically, even when this is burned into your memory, it's still nigh on impossible to complete. The problem is, ants and worms are a piece of cake to avoid when met head-on. But as soon as you travel back in the other direction they become next to impossible. Bad collision detection mars what would otherwise be an excellent level to play.

It's fisticuffs again for levels five, six and seven. The same rules apply as for levels two and three except the adversaries have changed. First off comes the huge troll with a stick. Beat him up in the same way as before but watch out, his stick gives him a longer reach. Level six features a swamp beast, a large green man with hippy hair and a powerful foot. The final fight scene is outside the demon's castle and pits you against a mini demon and another stone thrower.

Once you're in the final level - the castle - you have to find and destroy the demon. There's map making potential here as there are doors in the background which you can enter. As you traverse corridors and rooms there are potions to find and minor beasts to kill. Also, before you reach the final encounter, there are two more beat-'em-up rooms.

But enough of this waffle, what of the big guy himself? Well, he's big and spits fire. Lightning bolts shoot from the ceiling and fire spews from the floor. If I were the hero, I'd just nip off home and have a cup of Rosie Lee but, for those who can cope with this sort of power, victory awaits.

If you get off on wonderful graphics then this, like Shadow Of The Beast is where to find 'em. However, what puzzles there are take a simple form and even the combat sequences are pretty basic. This aside, Beast fans will find this a natural progression, show-offs will have fun wowing their friends with it, but sadly-thinking gamesters could probably find better ways of spending such a big wad of dosh.

1. The stunning scrolling backdrops are some of the best you'll ever see
2. Positively wizard animation (groan!) on both the hero and the bad guys.
3. Huge sprites give the game the feel of a cartoon.
4. Loads of levels with different challenges in them.
5. Opportunity for exploration in the last level.
6. Good final encounter.
7. Excellent 'tween level screens to drool over.
8. Easy-to-remember joystick control options.

1. Only two distinct types of gameplay, hardly any puzzles.
2. Collision is unforgiving