Lords Of Midnight (Beyond)

Will provide as authentic a taste of Tolkien or Donaldson as any game yet produced.

Cavelon (Ocean)

Cavelon is not a sophisticated game relying on a proven arcade success and general playability rather than originality of concept or majestic programming, but it is certainly fun.

Match Point (Psion)

Although it does not replace the real thing it is a worthwhile program, as it is a simulation which provides an exhibition mode which you can sit and watch while two computer-generated players go through the motions.

Mind Games (Oasis)

The programs are good value and would certainly make a good buy for any newcomer.

Death Chess 5000 (Artic)

Those are over quickly and swift reactions are needed to win.

Tornado Low Level (Vortex)

An exciting game, requiring fast reflexes and cool nerve, and if you think you are made of the right stuff, try flying under the telephone lines without panicking. No picnic.

Gatecrasher (Quicksilva)

Extremely challenging and a welcome break from alien-bashing.

Kosmic Kanga (Micromania)

At best this one is average. Nice graphics, shame about the game.

Buffer Adventure (Buffer Micro)

If becoming severely puzzled is the sign of a reasonable adventure, this program meets that test. There is every chance you will be spending a long time working out what to do with a sheep!

Butterfly (Pulsonic)

The spider is fairly convincing but the butterflies are somewhat lacking in sparkle and the background is dull.

The Character Generator (ISP)

The six sample sets vary in quality but the Gothic script is particularly impressive.

The Computer Cookbook (Bug-Byte)

Genuine cooks would do better to buy a general-purpose filing program and use it to store their favourite recipes.

Defusion And Worms (K-Tel)

The graphics are simple UDG shapes, movement is slow, the idea is rather pedestrian.

Dix Mille (Cases)

The makers claim that it requires the 'strategy of a Bridge player and the dash of a Poker player' but it is a little difficult to see the game in those exalted terms.

Bridge Master (Bridgemaster)

A display of all hands is possible at any time and the hands can be restarted or re-dealt, though in the original form.

The Fall Of Rome (Argus Press)

In itself it is a fine game but its faults, which could so easily be rectified, make it unlikely to win too many converts.

Flix (Softricks)

The game is very well-designed and fun to play, with easy-to-use controls.

48/80 Forth (East London Robotics)

This is a reasonable but average implementation. If you have the memory upgrade, however, it becomes a far better proposition because of the space available.

Friendly Face Microdrive Utility (Friendly Face)

If you are experiencing difficulty becoming used to a microdrive, this program may be of some use but £7.95, or £14.95 on cartridge, for a 1K Basic program is scarcely good value.