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Having cut my role-playing teeth on the original C64 version of The Bard's Tale a few years ago, I was pretty keen to see how things had changed two games and one computer on. The short answer is "They haven't much", but we'll get onto that later in the review.

For the uninitiated, The Bard's Tale series offer a computerised version of the fantasy role-playing games so beloved of sixth-formers everywhere. The player controls one or more alter-egos, and guides them through a make-believe world, collecting treasure, fighting nasties and generally having an adventurous old time.

Assuming you don't rabidly loathe role-playing on sight (Plenty of people do!) it all sounds like it'd make a pretty effective formula for a computer game, doesn't it? And it does - the only problem being that lots of people seem to have realised this, meaning we've got fantasy role playing-style games coming out of our ears.

To really make its mark then, a new one has to be something pretty special, which is where The Bard's Tale III falls down. It really is business as usual, I'm afraid. From the character creation sequences (where you choose fighters, bars, magic users, etc and modify their attributes) to the Dungeons & Dragons-style combat sequences, the whole thing gives a curious feeling of deja-vu. Yes, we've seen it all before, and yet... and yet, I have to admit it still makes for a damn satisfying game. You're certainly not short changed as far as places to go and things to do are concerned - there are potentially months of playing time in here - especially as new areas of the game open up to you as you go on.

Unfortunately, lack of innovation aside, The Bard's Tale III falls down in a couple of areas. The first is presentation - simply put, it looks and plays like a C64 game, and you really should be able to expect a bit more for this sort of money. The other problem is the disappointing lack of atmosphere.

One of the most important aspects of successful fantasy role-playing is the feeling of 'being there' and the creation of a sense of wonder, all too often forgotten in computer versions. A bit less of the fighting and a bit more of the old character interaction would be nice.

Overall then no disgrace to the genre, but (as they say in all the best school reports) they really must try harder.

A competent and highly playable role-player in the classic tradition. What was excellent five years ago, however, is in serious need of an overhaul in 1991.