When Knighthood Was in Flower

Lords and Ladies, soldiers and peasants: King Arthur is dead. The kingdom is in turmoil. Who you gonna call?

In Virgin Mastertronic’s “Spirit of Excalibur,” Lord Constantine, Arthur’s chosen successor, must rally all his knights and save the kingdom from the return of the chaos of the Dark Ages. Steeped in the legend of Arthur, “Excalibur” is a game of strategy and adventure.

Five episodes provide increasing levels of difficulty. Each episode provides new and different challenges. Becoming king is the easiest episode and is partially automated to give players a good feel for how the game works. Subsequent episodes require diplomatic and military strategy, conquering a giant enemy, combating a magical menace and thwarting demonic revenge.

Game play involves two types of screens. Small heraldic shields move across a map symbolizing friends and foes alike. Animated sequences occur with full size characters for all confrontations between characters.

The most interesting aspects of the game involve balancing the needs of your defensive strategies and chivalry. Do you help the damsel in distress or continue on your quest? How do you persuade the belligerent knights to pledge their allegiance to your rule and assist in the defense of the kingdom? What magic will work best in your hands? In your cohorts’ hands?

The right decisions increase the power and nobility of all the characters. And at the same time, increased faith and magical knowledge are earned.

While the strategic devices used in the game are well developed, interacting with the characters is a little like using rusty armor.

EXCALIBUR Rating: ****

IBM and compatibles, Tandy, Amiga, Atari ST and AppleIIGS; 512 to 640K. List price: $49.99.

Computer games are rated on a five-star system, from one star for poor to five for excellent.