The Best Arcade Game Of 85...?

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Castle Quest is the latest game from Micro Power — and what a superb game it is! It is possibly best described as a strategic arcade game with an adventure theme.

Initially it appears to be another variation of the "ladders-and-levels" type, but the first noticeable difference is that the screen scrolls as you move around. The next difference is in the obstacles you meet!

It isn't very long before you find that a sword would come in handy but unfortunately two spiders guard the only one available! You have to use two of the objects that are lying around to get it.

> Getting across the Troll's bridge also involves having something with you. I don't think I'm giving anything away when I say that any adventure player worth his salt will have no trouble here! You will undoubtedly get put into prison, but there is a way out. You will also find a few very difficult jumps that are possible if your timing is right.

In addition to the usual left/right, up/down and jump keys, you can also throw objects using the cursor keys and pick up and drop things.

You also carry a back-pack which will hold up to four objects and there are keys for storing and retrieving them. One nice feature is the use of the C and V keys to scroll the screen left and right. Very handy for seeing what's coming.

> Micro Power is offering £1 to anyone who can "crack it" within three months of purchasing the game. For those people who do, there is a competition. The top four scorers get a chance to win £500-worth of computer equipment.

In my opinion this is the first arcade game to successfully incorporate an adventure theme and overall is the best game of 1985 to appear so far. I am extremely impressed and cannot recommend it too highly.

Paul Gardener