Stonekeep 
by Jeb Banks

You should read the novella enclosed with the game if you want the background leading into first part of the story. It is not required, but it will make the game more enjoyable. The story in this game begins when Drake (the character you play in the first person), a young boy of ten, is thrown an apple and chops it with a mighty blow of a sword. Then what comes is frightening. An evil spirit takes over his castle. Fortunately, a mysterious being carries Drake away just before the evil spirit kills everything in sight. Drake returns 10 years later, as a young man ready to reclaim his birthright. Thera, a goddess, appears as a star to Drake and tells him that she is being held captive by the evil spirit. She asks Drake to rescue her. The game begins with you in the lowest level of the dungeon of Stonekeep, the mightiest of the human citadels.

Drake starts the game with nothing. He must search through the dungeon to find weapons, armor, shields, potions, and herbs which can be used to improve his health. His health drops as he is attacked by gigantic ants, and other minions of the evil spirit. As Drake battles the easier foes and wins, he becomes stronger, more agile, and better able to attack and defend himself. He picks up magic potions and runes which he can use to cast magic spells against his enemies. He also finds messages which help explain what happened to the inhabitants of the castle and a journal which is used to record helpful facts, incantations, and maps showing the layout of the dungeon. Drake's job is to fight his way into the upper level of the castle to rescue Thera, and in doing so to kill the evil spirit and restore Stonekeep to its original glory.

 There are 13 levels in the game each of which get progressively harder and require more specialized knowledge such as the magic spell casting powers.

 The program requires: a 486/33MHz or better IBMþ compatible, 8MB of RAM, DOS 5.0 or higher, 256-color VGA, a hard drive with 40MB free space, single-speed CD-ROM drive, 100% Microsoftþ compatible mouse, and a Sound Blasterþ or 100% compatible sound card. A 486/66MHz or Pentiumþ processor and SVGA video card are recommended. It appears that the program may run faster if you can spare 66MB of free hard disk space (We couldn't).

Stonekeep ran very well on our 486DX/66MHz with no hesitation at all. Screens refreshed quickly and maneuvering through the maze of stone hallways was accomplished easily and quickly with the cursor keys. The mouse buttons represent your left and right hands and are used for punching, slashing, throwing, picking up useful items, and defensive maneuvers.

Installation was extremely easy with a prompt for selection of the desired directory. The installation process creates a batch file which can be used to start the game from the default directory or moved into the DOS path and run with the slight adjustment of changing to the proper directory. The game ran fine in DOS and we experienced no compatibility problems.

Customer support is provided Monday through Friday at (714) 553-6678. A toll line is provided for hints at 1-900-370-PLAY for $1.25 for the first minute and $.75 for each additional minute. It is available 24 hours a day if you are over 18 years of age or have parental permission. I have not as yet thought it necessary. Interplay can be reached through the Internet at: "support@interplay.com" or on their Web site: "http://www.interplay.com". A strategy guidebook is available for $24.00 mail order.

 Stonekeep has some of the best graphics I have ever seen and the music is very well done. This, of course, would explain the need for 40MB of free hard drive space. (The game box also has nice graphics with a hologram of a skeleton with a sword. I have not met him yet!)

 The game is well designed and most games players will find it intuitive. A player fights his way through the castle, picking up weapons, defensive pieces, maps, clues, a journal, potions, and the knowledge to cast spells. The more a player uses the various items, the more skilled and experienced the player becomes, which is shown in the interactions with other beings. For example, using heavy weapons improves a player's strength as shown by the additional damage that player inflicts when swinging a hammer or sword. Conversely, the use of lighter weapons improves a player's agility and dexterity which are demonstrated by the accuracy exhibited by that player in combat.

As the game progresses, a player's strength, agility and health are constantly changing. Increased health will allow a player to more easily shrug off the effects of poison or bad magic. Health is also affected by increased strength and agility. Additional specialized skills are acquired by using specific weapons or shields. Likewise, stealth and the ability to use magic are acquired as the player learns the game.

 The game is really fun and is sufficiently complex to hold your interest for a long time. I have been playing for over a week and still have a long way to go. Stonekeep will appeal to all who enjoy a mystery and have the curiosity to explore places.

 $39.99 at our local CompUSA, DOS CD, 348-0880 or $59.95 direct from Interplay at 1-800-468-3775

 Rated: 13+(blood and gore, animated violence) My sister and I (7 years and 10 years) have not found anything particularly offensive.

 Jeb Banks is 10 years old and going into 5th grade at Cambridge Elementary School. He has been using computers for about five years and is comfortable on DOS or Macintosh platforms.