HERO QUEST By: Gremlin Download: hero.zip Warhammer is a popular hobby created by the Games Workshop. In Warhammer each player is the general of an army of miniatures. Players enjoy painting these models as well as using them in what is a strategic war game. In the late eighties Masbro made the Hero Quest board game loosely based on Warhammer and this in turn was eventually made into a computer game by Gremlin Graphics.

Hero Quest sees the player guiding a party of four adventurers through numerous dungeons. Each member of the party has his own strengths. The barbarian for example is strong in hand to hand combat. The wizard on the other hand is terrible at physical combat but has the choice of numerous spells which evens up the odds. The other two characters (elf and dwarf) are fairly average. Neither as strong as the barbarian or as weak as the wizard. The elf gets three spells whilst the dwarf can disarm traps.

When the game starts you choose which of the fourteen levels you wish to play. Each level has a unique objective to complete. Some require you to simply find the exit but others may involve rescuing someone or assassinating a certain boss. After you finish a level you can choose to spend whatever treasure you may find on equipment which will be invaluable in your next quest.

The game is turn based which is to be expected due to its board game roots. Each character is moved one at a time starting with a dice roll to determine how may squares they can move. Each character can also attack if they are beside an enemy, cast a spell, explore a location for treasure/doors/traps or look at a map of the areas which have been visited. When your done the computer then moves the enemy pieces. The map option can be very helpful as you only see part of the board at any one time. The game displays the area you are in with an isometric view. The graphics are adequate for a strategy game although there is a lack of colour. Everything is coloured in different shades of blue. Another small complaint I have about the game's interface is how you select what to do. You click on the various options or where on the screen you wish to move by using an arrow. This is fine for computers with a mouse but on the Amstrad you have to use keys or a joystick. The movement of the arrow isn't smooth and quite slow.

Playing the board game with friends is far more enjoyable than playing an Amstrad version of it. This however doesn't mean that Hero Quest isn't a good game. It's best for someone who fancies a game of Hero Quest when they are by themselves. It's also pretty difficult to find the board game now so this game may be the only way you'll experience Hero Quest in present day.

Rating: 90%