The Guild
£2.50

There was a legend, of a warrior, of a man, of Corya the Warrior Sage. In this two-part adventure, find and kill a dragon that's laid waste to a small village. But first seek Clen, the only man who knows the secret entrance to the dragon's lair. He's in a spot of bother…

As you wander around the village of Ermahal, you know you're in for a really atmospheric adventure. The text is so strong you can almost smell the smouldering wood of the burned-out buildings - you could forget you're sitting in front of a keyboard (only if you're crackers - Ed)!

As well as being an expert swordsman, Corya is trained in the use of magic. The spell system is very good in that it allows you to cast each spell more than once - don't you just HATE games where you have to start again just because you used the wrong command? (Probably- Ed.)

Unfortunately, the spelling isn't always accurate (wisedom, carryed) and syntax is a little wonky in places. Also, one puzzle relies on the player assuming something that should really be in the text. Still, forewarned is forearmed, and if you're really stuck there's always the CRASH solution service!

Corya the Warrior Sage is an excellent game which features logical, well thought out problems and text so strong you'll think you're reading a Tolkien novel. With a little more spit and polish it could have been a Smash; as it stands it's still great value for money.

Title: Corya the Warrior-Sage
By: Tony Collins of The Guild
Publisher: The Guild, 760 Tyburn Road, Erdington, Birmingham B24 9NX
Price: £2.50 48K Tape or £4.50 +3 Disk version (Cheques etc. to Glenda Collins - overseas add £1.00)
Reviewer: Tim Kemp

Corya is a warrior-sage, and thus destined to do good wherever good need be done. Unsurprisingly, this game revolves around doing good deeds. Corya finds himself summoned to a village that has just been visited by a local unfriendly Dragon. It's amidst the charred remnants of houses that the villagers try to see off our hero as they're naturally wary of strangers. Once you're taken into their confidence you can start solving problems which is what all good adventures are about! This is a two part game that must be aimed fairly and squarely at absolute beginners. Why? Well after just one hour of unaided B play I'd done Part One! This part is really only a scene setter as most of it is taken up with reading whacking great messages that flow from screen to screen. There are only one or two mildly difficult problems to overcome in Part One and you only need to play it to get three passwords and to learn some lore and legend. Part Two is a bit harder, but not much. As I said above, ideal for beginners.