THE ENERGEM ENIGMA                      
                 Published by GI GAMES at `1.99p                
        (Spectrum 48k game on 512k Sam using SC_SPECLONE)       
                                                                
The ENERGEM ENIGMA was PRECISION's sequel to THE EXTRICATOR and 
has been re-released at the same time as EXTRICATOR. The game   
naturally has a similar feel to the first part, but the graphics
are better.                                                     
                                                                
Text is primarily black on white, with use of cyan to highlight 
compass directions, etc. The character set is chunky and fairly 
clear, although not one of my favourites. ENERGEM is also a     
QUILLed game, and looks more professional than the EXTRICATOR.  
                                                                
The plot of the game involves you having to locate and obtain   
four energem crystals, and involves the expected number of      
puzzles and problems you would hope to find. From my limited    
time playing the game, the problems didn't appear too hard, and 
the game is an ideal companion to THE EXTRICATOR. As ENERGEM is 
of a higher standard of writing, and looks more like recent     
games, it would be advisable to try THE EXTRICATOR first, if    
only for chronological reasons. If you like one, you'll almost  
certainly like the other.                                       
                                                                
Being involved with adventure gaming for only two or three      
years, I have missed some of the early Spectrum adventures, and 
I'm grateful to Gordon Inglis for re-releasing good quality     
adventures such as these that deserve to be available once      
again. The standard price of `1.99 for these games is very fair,
and I hope more titles appear in the months to come.