Arena (Lothlorien) (Spectrum 48K)

One of the best tactical games that I have seen on the Spectrum.

Zoids (Martech) (Spectrum 48K)

The graphics are good, particularly the use of windows that appear on the screen at a bewildering rate.

New Adventure Systems For The Spectrum (Fontana) (Spectrum 48K)

Well worth recommending. It contains several adventures and it is well thought out, giving a lot of help to the hapless programmer and plenty of useful information that should come in handy later over many hours of games writing.

More Arcade Games For Your Commodore 64 (Corgi) (Commodore 64)

This isn't particularly good value for money, but it's short, simple and might be a good book for anyone just starting out on getting to grips with their C64.

The Adventurer's Companion (Duckworth) (Spectrum 48K)

We play adventures for fun but the tone is so solemn and grave - I'd have thought the authors could have relaxed and enjoyed themselves a bit.

Zzzzzz... (Mastertronic) (Spectrum 48K)

The main problem with this game is that, setting it in a dream, the problems are largely unconnected and I found that the atmosphere created by the storyline was minimal.

Runestone (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

If you enjoy the type of adventure where exploration is the key, rather than problem solving, then this is certainly a game well worth looking at.

Master Of Magic (Mastertronic Added Dimension) (Spectrum 48K)

One of several role-playing games to have been released recently. Whilst it may lack the sophistication or depth of some of its rivals, it is considerably easier to play and get in to.

Rock 'N Wrestle (Melbourne House) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The graphics are excellent and the package is completed by rock music that accompanies your road to the world title.

Alternate Reality (Datasoft) (Commodore 64/128)

The first of seven episodes... It will certainly take some time to complete the game, but even when you do your adventures are far from over.

Hardball (US Gold/Accolade) (Commodore 64)

Some of the best graphics that I have seen on the C64... The most impressive screen is the one showing the pitcher as he delivers the ball to the batter.

Uridium (Hewson) (Commodore 64/128)

A good game for all your zap addicts, with excellent graphics, good sound and real 'feel' to it!

Dragonskulle (Ultimate) (Commodore 64)

A pleasant enough arcade adventure... probably the pick of the Arthur Pendragon games to date.

Movie (Imagine) (Spectrum 48K)

The graphics are excellent, and the icon system is an impressive addition to this type of game.

Skyfox (Ariolasoft/Electronic Arts) (Amstrad CPC464)

The conversion from the Commodore is graphically accurate, and the colours are quite good. The only drawback is the reduction in smoothness.

Kung Fu Master (US Gold/Datasoft) (Commodore 64/128)

If you are a martial arts fanatic then this game may be of some interest - though you would have to be a real fanatic.

Back To The Future (Electric Dreams) (Commodore 64)

Better luck next time, Electric Dreams. This looks like it only took six weeks to write; the graphics are extremely crude and do nothing for the game.

Think! (Ariolasoft) (Amstrad CPC464)

Quite good with plenty to occupy you, though I don't know exactly who the game will appeal to. Play it and see!

Barry McGuigan's World Championship Boxing (Activision) (Amstrad CPC464/664/6128)

Whether you win or lose, you win an amount of money and the chance to move up the rankings to become a contender or even take the championship itself.

Sweevo's World (Gargoyle Games) (Amstrad CPC464)

A good game... There is enough in it to make it a bit different to the normal run-of-the-mill game.

Theatre Europe (PSS) (Amstrad CPC464)

A fast-moving and hard-thinking game, I thoroughly enjoyed my invasion of Germany.

ZoneX (Gremlin) (Atari 130XE)

The graphics are good, if a little chunky, and the movement could have been better animated; this done not detract from the gameplay since the whole thing is fairly addictive, but on first presentation it may put some people off.

Who Dares Wins II (Alligata) (Amstrad CPC464)

Definitely an excellent game, forget about Rambo, forget about Commando, get Who Dares Wins II.

Law Of The West (US Gold/Accolade) (Commodore 64)

The game's graphics are superb and quickly becoming a trademark of Accolade, but the gameplay is disappointing.

QL Fictionary (Sinclair Research) (Sinclair QL)

Can be played by up to four players each competing to be the first to reach 1,000 points. However, since you only score a miserly 10 points for each right answer, this will take some time.

Winter Games (US Gold/Epyx) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

The graphics are excellent and comparable to those on the C64 without losing any of the gameplay.

Gerry The Germ Goes Body Poppin' (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

Original and fun to play. Each screen can be thought of as a game in itself... Their difficulty lies mainly in learning set routes and understanding the appropriate part of the instructions.

Realm Of Impossibility (Ariolasoft) (Spectrum 48K)

Not recommended. It looks badly out of place and lacking sophistication when compared to other games of a similar nature.

Benny Hill's Madcap Chase (DK'Tronics) (Spectrum 48K)

Although the game is just about playable, there is little sophistication and no lasting appeal.

Desert Rats (Cases) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

If you are a rank beginner, you may prefer something simpler but if you don't mind suffering a lot of heavy defeats to start with, the game will give you a fascinating insight into the North African campaign.

The Adventures Of Bond... Basildon Bond (Probe) (Commodore 64/128)

A poor man's Impossible Mission. It doesn't play particularly well and doesn't have any great lasting appeal.

Surf Champ (New Concepts) (Spectrum 48K)

The keyboard overlay makes this game largely unplayable! If New Concepts could improve that and tidy up a few other presentation problems, then it could have some appeal, but not at the moment I'm afraid.

Costa Capers (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K)

A good platform game with a number of features that make it a bit more complex than Manic Miner and all its clones.

Critical Mass (Durell) (Commodore 64)

The graphics look good with smooth scrolling and the game plays as well as it looks. If you can overcome any initial frustration, it will keep you quiet for hours.

Macrocosmica (Amsoft/Datacom) (Amstrad CPC464)

A very good trading game, with a very unpredictable scenario that changes every time it's played. The lack of a save mode, though, is a bit of a disappointment.

Mediatar (English Solurum) (Atari 130XE)

This game is brought down because of the space phase. The originality of all the other phases do not quite make up for this.

Rasputin (Firebird) (Spectrum 48K/128K)

Rasputin isn't an easy game to get into, but it is worth making the effort, and once you've gotten onto Rasputin's trail you'll probably be hooked.