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There are lots of adventure games on the market, but Spooky Manor is an adventure with a difference. Like most Acornsoft games of this type, it is purely textual, providing a set of problems at the correct level of sophistication for children beginning to use this sort of software. The scenario, vocabulary and commands of the program, follow the usual pattern of adventure programs but the design has taken a step towards a shared adventure which could be far more interesting than the usual solitary activity.

The author has used a novel approach to involve a group of people in a common problem. The screen is divided into four sections each section dedicated to one player. The number of players can be between one and four. Each player can interact with the program by typing in their number which then opens up their section of the screen for input. There is no attempt by the computer to manage the turns i.e. you can have as many goes as you wish if the others agree, (or if they have gone to the loo). The scenario of the game is designed to encourage movement away from a simply selfish approach, to one of co-operation as the adventure proceeds.

I think a family could have fun with this program although it might soon lose its attraction once the objective has been achieved.

One further point of interest. The software has an option of using Quinkey's, i.e. Micro-writer keyboards, instead of the standard keyboard so that players can 'time share' Spooky Manor.