Franklin's Tomb is another classic adventure, this time for the adventurers who have got past the beginnings of their craft but are not yet ready to take on the massed forces of a Zork or Snowball (neither of which, unfortunately, look like ever becoming available to the Dragon owner).

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This game is the first in a series of three (the equally competent sequels are Lost In Space and Fishy Business) and the adventurer is cast in the roll of Dan Diamond, private detective. You have received a note saying "Please come, You're our only hope," with directfons to a graveyard crypt. Suddenly, the ground gives way beneath you, and you are in the tomb...

Ths actual instructions that come with the game are done in a hilarious Raymond Chandler style, but this prose style is totally different from that used to describe the locations. Indeed, the detective theme does not re-occur within the adventure.

But what the game lacks in humour, it more than makes up for in puzzles of varying complexity, from a fairly easy Starter, to the brilliance of the gallery.

I found the game a pleasure to play from beginning to end, and, although it was written in Basic, the responses were tolerable, and the screen display excellent (the format used has since been copied on several occasions).

I recommend Franklin's Tomb to all but the hardened adventurer, who will find it too easy.