DragonSoft is a relatively new company founded by Debbie Howard, who also runs the award winning Adventure PD Library. The idea is that Debbie, who tries very hard to get new adventures for her library, is a bit sick that other libraries copy the games and distribute them through their own libraries. So she has come up with this idea. The adventures are still available at the same price but are not public domain. Anyway, on to the adventure. The Sphere of Q'li comes with two other adventures, the Weirdstone and Sys, on the disc and is probably the best one of the three. You are told that you must find the four ares of the Sphere which are scattered throughout the playing area. You start off in a cave with a torch lying at your feet and the only exit is North. This brings you to a dark room from which all directions lead you back on yourself. Not to worry though, as you are soon shown to another cave by a magician. It takes quite a while to get 'into' this game, but persevere and you will soon be engrossed in what proves to be a compelling and very challenging adventure. It's quite a big game with, I'm told, one hundred and eight locations. I say 'I'm told' as I haven't managed to finish it yet! There seems to be a bit of everything in the game, a witch, bodies in coffins, poisonous spiders, gnomes, magic, an elf, oh... and mazes. I've found two so far, a twisty passage one which won't let you turn back and the woods. Now these woods are not your average woods, with trees that stay where they were put. These woods revolve! But, with a little bit of help, you can find your way through without too many problems. I have to urge you to examine everything. I mean everything, objects are often hidden in the location descriptions. The whole game is aimed directly at the experienced adventurer. One or two sudden deaths crop up here and there so make sure you use that save function to its full. One thing which some people may find a little off-putting is the lack of exit descriptions. Again I have been told that this is deliberate, to make the game more frustrating and even more of a challenge. The game is written on the GAC and features one or two very minor bugs which I am assured will be removed by the time you read this. All in all, a very good value for money compilation which is well worth adding to anyone's library. Although Sphere is difficult, 'learner' adventurers shouldn't be put off as the other two games in the 'Phill Ramsay Collection' are much easier and suitable for those who like less of a challenge. Reviewed by Simon Avery, played on the Amstrad |
