Xadom is a 3D hi-res arcade quality adventure where you, as SOL agent MM have to disappear off in search of some artefact that is stashed away in one of 20 rooms. Every time a room is entered, naturally, a new challenge awaits and each must be overcome before it is possible to move on to the next room.

MAKER: Quicksilva
MACHINE: Spectrum 48
FORMAT: cassette
PRICE: £6.95

The vast golden face beamed at me, bathing my awestruck countenance with radiant light. "My speciality", it said. "Is reincarnation. Prepare to return."

I was stuck inside of Xadom with Adventure Blues again.

Like a spring lamb I flitted and weaved across the floor towards the far wall, where three gateways flickered with ominous lightnings. As Agent Dingbat (somehow I can never stand to type my real name into one of those games that demand a preliminary handle). I had to search the multi-roomed spacedome and locate a missing widget: then escape by means of a pre-planted transporter.

If they can transport me out why couldn't they beam me in? As it is all these dratted 3D rooms look the same in outline, though each one is dotted with two or more kinds of hazards and obstructions, with freelance Minders of various hideous mien to be found in any location. Trickiest of all the room traps is the Dark Maze (tip: try the longest ways to the door of your choice first - you may be pleasantly surprised).

Each time you die - for lack of energy, or by being antimattered (what does it antimatter anyway?) - you get reincarnated - slightly drawn-out, this dying routine. Colours are good, 3D resolution sharp and imaginative, action smooth and the whole thing seems pretty well bug-free. Author Mike Moscoff knows his stuff and Xadom is a new way of doing things but somehow - to me, anyway - it failed to come over as a clincher. If you haven't done this one inside a week, is my guess, you won't bother to.