ONCE there were no Amigas or Atari Sts and in that bygone era was born an adventure program called The Temple of Apshai. It followed the general idea of Dungeons and Dragons, with lots of monsters to meet in battle and treasure to be found. TTA has stood the test of time with conversions for almost all computers, including the Amiga. Thankfully this interpretation has superior graphics attributes of a character from an earlier game. You can restore a previous game saved at any point within Apshai.

A status screen shows wounds and fatigue. Wounds may be healed by using healing salves or elixers, the former being purchased from the innkeeper. The latter can be found within Apshai. Fatigue may be relived by moving more slowly or resting. The heavier your equipment, or treasure, the more fatigued you become.

Having beaten the innkeeper down in price - pay the asking price and you will end up with very little equipment - and purchased a sword, armour, shield, bow, some arrows and a few healing salves, you are inventory of your treasures or saving the game or character for future use.

Most levels of each realm have 50 to 60 rooms, so there is plenty to explore. Some monsters are tied to particular locations, but others wander around looking for the odd meal.

The innkeeper will pay you for any treasure you have collected so you have a chance to add to or improve your equipment. Remember that heavy weapons and armour affect your movement and energy output.

There is a little more to Apshai than straightforward monster bashing, but nowhere near the depths of puzzles and quests to be found in more modern offerings such as Ultima and Bard's Tale.