Dwarf Fortress - PC

I’ve been playing Dwarf Fortress for a while now, messing about with levers, traps, farms, stills, workshops and mining for precious metals. However, it takes a while to get into the swing of things due to the lack of tutorial and those ACSII graphics.

However, spend a few hours in its company, and Dwarf Fortress reveals itself to be one of the most absorbing games ever made.

Think of a mish-mash of Dungeon Keeper, The Sims, The Settlers with a dash of a good old-fashioned Roguelike and you’re almost there.

Starting with seven dwarves, the aim is to build a Mines of Moria style dwelling for your hard-working charges. Other migrants will flock to your fortress as the years pass, bringing their own unique challenges.

But along with carving a hole to live in a rock face, Dwarf Fortress incorporates other incredibly deep aspects which enhance the game, including hunting, fishing (watch out for the Carp), brewing, farming, trading, smelting, woodcutting, craft making and military training. There's plenty more besides, but that's a good enough start.

Along with looking after your dwarven community, you'll come across berserk dwarves, invasions and raids on your fortress which make the game unpredictable and utterly addictive.

There’s a tremendous amount to do and to keep track of. People talk about Grand Theft Auto as the ultimate sandbox game, but they have obviously never played Dwarf Fortress. You can do almost anything you want and with no end game to worry about, it’s fun to try new things. And if you fail, well, just start over. That’s the key - don’t be afraid of failure. As any Roguelike fan will tell you, failure is all part of the fun.

Each personal milestone is immensely satisfying and you’ll take great delight as your dwarves get married and throw a party, or when your armoursmith takes over a workshop, only to re-emerge with a beautifully detailed masterpiece.

It’s impossible for me to cover every aspect of the game, but it’s a marvel. And when you learn it’s still in its Alpha stage and has been created by one man - Tarn Adams, I salute you, sir – you begin to realise that Dwarf Fortress is something rather special.

It’s free to download and I would urge everyone to at least try the game. There are a fine selection of software tools to enhance the experience, including the brilliant 3D Dwarf Visualiser and a variety of tilesets if you can’t get over the default visuals, so give it a go.

And, if it grabs your attention, why not give Tarn a small donation for all his hard work.

Incidentally, a new version is planned, so keep your eyes on the Dwarf Fortress site for all the latest news. There's also an incredibly useful Dwarf Fortress Wiki, which makes interesting reading over a brew...that's a cup of tea, not a mug of foaming dwarven ale!

LINKS
Official site/forums
Dwarf Fortress Wiki
Captain Duck's Video Tutorials

Flipping crazy...

You can always trust the Japanese to unveil some off-the-wall products, but the latest Taito arcade game takes the biscuit.

Cho Chabudai Gaeshi is a game based on flipping tables out of sheer anger and frustration. The arcade cabinet comes complete with table, which players have to bang to get their family's attention - before the player finally cracks and launches the table across the room.

Check out this fantastic video of the game in action. Simply brilliant

Dark Void - 360/PS3

Nolan North is no stranger to voicing high profile video game characters. He's best know for wise-cracking, smooth-talking, all-action hero Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series. Once again his vocals have been called upon, as he pops up in Dark Void to lend his voice to protagonist Will.

The similarities to Uncharted don't stop at Mr North's vocal talents, as the opening hour or so of Capcom's first big game of the year bears an uncanny resemblance to the PS3 title. Trudging through a jungle location and diving for cover behind ruined walls, it's hard not to think of Uncharted.

Fortunately, the game transforms into an altogether different beast - but it takes a while to get there.

The story focuses on Will, a pilot whose plane crashes in the Bermuda Triangle. He soon finds himself in The Void, a world between worlds, where an evil alien race are based. Here, they shape-shift, secretly entering our world and worming their way into the hearts of governments across the globe. It's a ramshackle collection of incomprehensible nonsense, which involves alien robots, slick-skinned evil masters and dimensional portals.

Even Nikola Tesla makes an appearance, sharing his wisdom with Will in the shape of an unstable jetpack. Fortunately, the core gameplay holds up for the six short hours it takes to complete Dark Void. While the conventional cover system is ripped straight from other games, the vertical shooting action gives the game some originality.

Will nimbly leaps from one platform to the next, scaling huge structures, picking of sharp-shooting robots as he climbs higher and higher. It's great fun and leads to some genuinely vertigo-inducing moments. The jetpack is the main focus of the game, though, and Will can hover above his prey or fly like Superman depending on the situation.

It's a shame, then, that the first of three episodes fail to draw the player into the experience. It's not until Will actually enters The Void that the game starts to pick up. Swarmed by Boba Fett impersonators, he takes to the skies to do battle, but if truth be told, picking off these high flying enemies is easier if Will's feet are firmly kept on the ground.

Dark Void also offers large chunks of air-to-air combat. Will can either take part in these mid-air skirmishes with the aid of his jetpack, or commandeer other craft such as enemy flying saucers. These sections are entertaining the first couple of times, but in an effort to pad out what is still an incredibly short game, these high flying escapades are repeated throughout.

Along with Uncharted's influence, the game shamelessly rips elements from a bunch of other titles including Mass Effect, Prey and Dead Space. Ancient quicktime events also rear their head, usually when taking on a boss or smacking an alien in the face at 20,000 ft, so expect lots of frantic button mashing and furious stick waggling.

Dark Void provides a handful of enjoyable moments, but really there's not much here. It's certainly not better than the titles it's influenced by - perhaps the sequel will improve the formula.

Problem solved, Professor...

I've never been a particular fan of videogame merchandise, but this Japanese Professor Layton figure certainly caught my eye. It's been created by Revoltech and it's wonderfully crafted. It comes with various accessories including handbook, chair, pen and the obligatory teacup and saucer. It will go on sale at around 2400 Yen, which roughly equates to £20. It's utterly adorable, but guaranteed to sell out when it launches in Japan in March.

Bayonetta - 360/PS3

The battle between Heaven and Hell is hardly a new plot device in videogames, but never has it been conveyed quite like this.

Bayonetta, a sassy leather-clad witch with super-human powers, is on a one-woman mission to reveal the truth about her past in a game that bears more than a passing resemblance to the Devil May Cry series. The story is somewhat absurd and at times is almost impossible to comprehend, but that doesn’t stop Bayonetta from being a flashy and highly polished rollercoaster ride.

From the guns on her ankles to the panther-like way she nimbly outflanks her opponents, Bayonetta is one of the most striking videogame characters of recent times. Her ice cool demeanor in the face of some truly jaw-dropping foes marks her out as the most recognisable female protagonists this side of Lara Croft.
Although the game is a largely linear experience, it’s the fluid combat which sets Bayonetta apart from other hack and slash titles. Button mashing is effective, but getting the most out of Bayonetta requires careful study of the game’s rich and deep combo system.

Bayonetta’s every move is beautifully choreoagraphed and as you would expect from a game featuring a sultry vamp who conjures giant stilettos from thin air to pummel her foes and summons demons from her jet-black hair, every aspect of Bayonetta is deliciously over the top.

From running up the walls of a towering structure and leaping through dimensional portals, to messing with the flow of time and battling gargantuan celestial beings, Bayonetta oozes quality throughout the 12 hours you’ll spend in her company on the first play through.

Combat is further refined by the addition of Witch Time, activated when Bayonetta successfully dodges an enemy attack at the last possible moment. Slow motion kicks in giving the bespectacled protagonist precious time to unleash a devastating series of strikes. It helps, of course, that the control system is beautifully implemented. Each press of a button gracefully moves Bayonetta into action, making the game a joy to watch and play.

While it's easy to heap praise on Bayonetta, it's not the perfect game some would have you believe. While the heavenly hosts you face in battle are impressive, many of the same creatures pop up throughout the game. This lessens the impact and leads to some monotonous trawls, as Bayonetta smacks down the same enemies time and time again. The game's visuals are eye-popping, but occasional slowdown and screen tearing spoil the effects, while the cut scenes tend to drag in places.

Checkpoints are well placed, but you can only save to the hard drive after every level, something which caused me a bit of grief in latter stages.

There's nothing game-breaking here, but there's just enough to blot the copy book. Still, the good outweighs the bad by a considerable margin and even after completing the main quest there are still plenty of unlockables stashed away to entice you back.

Bayonetta is simply a brilliant title. Play it for an hour and she'll have her hooks in you. Time flies by as you zone into the action, becoming one with the controller as your thumbs effortlessly press in button combos to unleash deadly attacks. A magnificent title that falls just short of being an all-time great.

Greetings from Azeroth

I’ve been playing a bit of World of Warcraft recently, well quite a lot actually. I’m still on the European Draenor server where I have two characters: Balderak, a lvl 62 Dwarven Hunter, and Balorn, a lvl 13 Dwarven Paladin.

I’ve been playing on and off since launch - I was involved briefly in the Beta - but still like booting it up every so often. I’ve joined a new guild and although I’m a strictly casual player, I’m having a great time. I’ve been taking snaps from my time with the game, so I thought I would share some.

Enjoy.

Army of Two: The 40th Day - 360/PS3

Hard-nosed, back-slapping buddies Rios and Salem are back, in a game which although improving on its predecessor, still comes up well short of the mark.

Dropped in the middle of Shanghai just as terrorists attack the city, the duo battle their way through crumbling buildings, Buddhist temples and the local zoo to get to the bottom of a terrible atrocity. Really, it's just an excuse for the two US mercenaries to compete in trying to rack up the biggest body count.

In blockbuster style, every building the pair come close to blows up in spectacular style, while identical enemies attempt to gun the dynamic duo down at every opportunity. While the visuals are fine, the game suffers due to repetition. It's just one killing arena after another, with only the sporadic introduction of hulking armour-clad brutes mixing up the standard pop-and-stop gameplay.

The single player campaign can be polished off in around seven hours, but two player co-op proves to be a longer-lasting experience. Teamwork leads to daring escapades as you and a friend tactically find the best way to take down enemy soldiers.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is an improvement over the original, but ultimately repetition lets the game down. Good, but not great.

Into the depths

OK, so I should be playing Bayonetta, and I really need to give my preview build of Dark Void more time. Then there's Heavy Rain, which is having a comfy lie-in inside my PS3 debug unit...

However, being a bit of a Roguelike fan, I've been engrossed in Dungeon Adventure on 360.

I found it on Saturday while checking out the 360's indie section. I snapped it up straight away, not bothering to download the demo. After all, it was only 240 points and it's a Roguelike, so what's not to like?

It may not be as deep as Angband or Nethack, but slouching on the couch playing an ASCII style adventure is surprisingly relaxing. The tile set is fine and dandy, but the ASCII characters give the game a charm that I find hard to explain.

There's something magical about old-school adventures - maybe it's the way your imagination runs riot as you visualise an emu pecking your eyes out. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of 'em.

I've only made it to the depths of lvl 6 - I starved to death - but it definitely gets the thumbs up from me.

I'm still here!

Hi folks. Just wanted to drop by and say that I'm still here and the blog is still alive and well. The last few months have been incredibly busy at work, while the annual Christmas games rush knocked me for six and left me all gamed out.

However, I'm refreshed and ready to go again, but there will be a few changes to the blog going forward. First, updating the blog was taking up a lot of time. So I've decided the days of long reviews and previews is over (for the most part).

I'll instead try and concentrate on regular, smaller, bite-sized nuggets of gaming goodness, ie what I've been playing, my thoughts on gaming in general and some random games-related gibberish.

I'm still passionate about gaming and continue to play a broad selection, so there should be plenty to get my teeth into.

Plus, you'll find links on the right-hand side which take you to my Raptr and Playfire accounts. Feel free to browse my games collection and add me as a friend on both.

So worry not, the moose is on his way back :)

Happy new year!

Darksiders - 360/PS3

The new year kicks off with Darksiders - a solid hack and slash adventure that isn't afraid to wear its influences on its sleeve. 

Elements from God Of War, Devil May Cry, Prince of Persia and Panzer Dragoon are immediately apparent, while the game also doffs its cap to Nintendo's Zelda series. A strange and varied mix, then, but while this smorgasbord of ideas and influences could easy fall apart, the team at Vigil Games have fused them together to create a cohesive and enjoyable action adventure.

The player stomps around in the iron-clad boots of War - one of the four horsemen - who has been blamed for the premature start of the apocalypse. It's a stitch up, of course, and War sets out to clear his name and bring to justice those responsible for the fall of mankind.

The game is primarily a hack and slasher although a heavy dose of puzzling solving and item collecting has been thrown in for good measure. The combat system is robust with quick jabs of the attack button unleashing a flurry of satisfying combos. However, experimenting with secondary weapons and transforming into War's fiery Chaos Form unveils a surprisingly deep and fluid fighting mechanic. The excellent lock on feature helps enormously and gives a cinematic view of the battles, making camera issues during large scale skirmishes largely redundant.

New weapons and special moves can also be purchased, adding to the horseman's already impressive arsenal, while War's existing items can be levelled up through use.

Following Zelda's template for rewarding the player with new items and weapons is a stroke of genius as the player is constantly spurred on to discover what new trinket lies at the end of a particular dungeon. The puzzle solving aspect of Darksiders also owes a great deal to the Nintendo favourite, with the Crossblade bearing an uncanny resemblance to Link's famous boomerang.

It's easy to be unimpressed with the game's visuals during the first hour or so, with the player free to roam about a drab, uninspired cityscape. However, give it a few hours and you'll encounter stunning gothic temples, water-filled valleys and light dappled forests.

With his steely glare and chunky armour, War, too, looks the part - appearing like a beefed-up World of Warcraft Blood Elf with a bad attitude.

Darksiders is let down by a couple of niggles, though. The gladiatorial tutorials peppered throughout are awkwardly placed, stopping the flow of an otherwise well-paced game, while some of the boss battles are an over elaborate slog.

However, as a package, Darksiders is a towering success. It might be completely unoriginal, but Vigil Games have delivered a highly polished and visceral experience. A great start to 2010.

A look ahead to 2010

Christmas has traditionally been a time when developers release their blockbuster titles hoping to maximise sales as people scour the shops looking for presents. But there has been a shift in focus this year, with many big name titles set to land in the first half of 2010 instead of the usual pre-Christmas rush. I've highlighted six games which I'm really excited about that will launch in the first half of the new year

Heavy Rain - PlayStation 3

The spiritual successor to 2005's Fahrenheit, Quantic Dream prove they are the masters of storytelling with Heavy Rain - a rich and complex narrative-driven experience which sets the benchmark for visuals and animation in video games. Heavy Rain is a psychological thriller, which puts you in control of four characters, all bound to the activities of a murderer known as The Origami Killer. Through interacting with people and objects, the player slowly unravels the mystery, with each choice having a lasting effect throughout the game. The story is beautifully crafted and thanks to the jaw-dropping visuals, the player is sucked into the dark world Quantic Dream have created. I've had preview code for the last few weeks and can confirm the game is set to be something truly special. Its slow pace might put some people off, but those looking for a deep and rewarding experience will find Heavy Rain irresistible when it launches next month.

Mass Effect 2 - 360/PC

Bioware's original sci-fi epic was launched in 2007 and became a worldwide success. The sequel once again puts you in the shoes of Commander Shepard, as he and his team investigate the rise of a new enemy who are abducting human colonies in deep space. Mass Effect's galaxy has been expanded for the sequel, while gunplay looks to have been tightened up - something that was desperately needed after the original's slightly flimsy shooting action. Character interaction was one of Mass Effect's high points, with dialogue choices impacting on how others perceived your character. Knowing Bioware, this feature will again play a central role in the sequel. Mass Effect 2 also looks spectacular, boasting better animation and improved textures. With a raft of improvements right across the board, sci-fi fans looking for an epic adventure should be well catered for when the game blasts off on January 29.

Final Fantasy XIII - PlayStation 3/360

After years of waiting, the 13th installment of the most popular role-playing game on the planet is almost here. It's already shifted 1.8million copies in Japan since it launched in the middle of December and it's clear this will be one of the biggest titles of the year in the West. Following Final Fantasy XII's free-roaming, action-orientated approach, FF XIII returns to a more linear format. The Japanese demo only gave a small taste of what we can expect from the combat, but turn-based battles return, although random encounters have thankfully been canned. The art team at Square Enix have been hard at work and the sumptuous visuals are incredible, while gamers can expect another epic musical score to set the tone. Final Fantasy XIII is released on March 9.

Monster Hunter Tri - Wii

Monster Hunter has been the saviour of the PSP in Japan, where people simply can't get enough of the series. Millions of copies have been sold on Sony's hand-held, but for the first time since the PS2, the series is coming to a home console. Unlike traditional role playing games, Monster Hunter doesn't feature a main story to wade through. Instead, the player takes on a series of quests to slay wild creatures, and use their remains to craft elaborate and effective armour and weapons. Hundreds of items can be crafted, and it's this kill and craft gameplay which is so compulsive. Full online play will be included, with up to four hunters taking on quests together. This should make the Monster Hunter much more fun than trudging through quests solo.

Yakuza 3 - PlayStation 3

Following months of speculation, Sega announced they will be bringing part three of their celebrated series to the West. The Yakuza games focus on Kazuma Kiryu, a hard-hitting Japanese tough guy with a heart of gold and fists of steel. The storyline in the first two PS2 games was wonderful stuff, delving into the murky depths of the violent Japanese underworld, with plenty of twists, turns, backstabbing and memorable characters. While the combat was satisfying, it wasn't perfect - with the player often taking fresh air swings due to slightly clumsy controls. Judging from the Japanese demo, nothing much has changed in that regard. Still, with beautifully polished visuals and plenty of side quests - including golf, pool, darts, roulette, Black Jack, dice throwing, hostess clubs, videogame arcades, karaoke bars and 10-pin bowling, Yakuza 3 is definitely one to watch when it launches across Europe in March.

BioShock 2 - 360/PlayStation 3/PC

 

I'm not the world's biggest fan of first-person shooters, but 2007's BioShock completely changed my opinion on the genre. Let loose in an atmospheric underwater city, full of genetically modified freaks, was a thrilling experience and BioShock 2 - which is set 10 years after the events of the first game - is set to eclipse its predecessor. Taking control of the original Big Daddy - a hulking brute clad in ancient deep sea diving gear - the player will stomp their way through the decaying city of Rapture. Plasmids return, with these genetic super powers able to unleash chaos through the Art Deco inspired underwater city. With full multiplayer included this time and 2K's usual attention to detail, BioShock 2 is set to be one of the highlight of 2010 when it's released on February 9.

Games of 2009

Persona 4 - PS2
Despite being 10 years old, the creaking PlayStation 2 can still produce wonderful games. Persona 4 was a much more streamlined experience than its predecessor, but it retained the appeal that's made the series such as success. Unlike regular RPGs, Persona 4 mixes things up to create a unique experience. By day, your character goes to school, attends after school clubs and hangs out with friends. But at night, you explore randomly generated dungeons with the aid of your Personas - magical creatures which help you in battle. Persona 4 looks fantastic, and its fusion of social aspects and dungeon crawling make it one of the most memorable RPGs in recent years.

Flower - PS3
Flower is one of the most remarkable games of 2009. Controlling the wind by moving the Sixaxis, the aim is to open flowers that lie scattered about the game's beautiful locations, collecting petals as you go. Visually stunning with a beautiful relaxed atmosphere, Flower is perfect for late night gaming sessions. Lush, grassy meadows under bright blue skies give way to rocky canyons, sun-drenched amber vistas, midnight blue fields and rain-soaked plains - it's a marvellous experience.

Wii Sports Resort - Wii 
Nintendo bundled Wii Sports with their console to show off the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities. While it was fun, there's it lacked lasting appeal due to the shallow nature of the events. Wii Sports Resort features 12 events compared to the original's five and comes packed with the Wii Motion Plus - a device giving the player a greater degree of control. The events take place on sun-kissed Wuhu Island, and the game is instantly appealing thanks to bright blue skies and the island's cheery atmosphere. Table Tennis, Archery, Swordplay, Air Sports and Frisbee Golf were personal highlights, but everything on offer was a blast to play. It's still selling by the truckload and I'm sure Wii Sports Resort will be wheeled out in homes across the country after Christmas dinner this year.

New Super Mario Bros - Wii 
Super Mario Galaxy remains my favourite Mario title, but there New Super Mario Bros is a cracking game. Back to his 2D roots, Mario's latest outing on Wii is platform perfection. The old school single player action brings memories flooding back of Mario World on the Super Nintendo. Up to four people can take part in the fast-paced multiplayer mode, but the single player is no slouch. Later stages are a real test of nerves, but a handy help feature has been included to guide you through the more difficult sections.

Street Fighter IV - 360/PS3 
The best one-on-one fighter ever got a whole lot better in 2009. The culmination of years of fine tuning by the team at Capcom resulted in this spectacular brawler. While old combos and tricks from the past remain the same, the eye-popping graphics and sprinkling of new features make this the definitive Street Fighter experience. The announcement of Super Street Fighter IV might have taken the spotlight away from this in recent weeks, but this remains the best fighter on the market at the moment.

Batman: Arkham Asylum - 360/PS3/PC 
Games featuring superheroes have been a hit and miss affair in the past, but the Dark Knight's appearance this year proved to be a definite high point. On the trail of the Joker - who has taken over Gotham's famous Arkham Asylum - the Caper Crusader is drawn into a quest to bring the Crown Prince of Crime to justice. Arkham Asylum is an amalgamation of genres - with stealth-based sections, environmental puzzle solving, and bouts of good old-fashioned fisticuffs fused coherently together to produce a slick and well-rounded package. The visuals are excellent, and coupled with the asylum's oppressive atmosphere, create one of this year's most distinctive titles. With a second game announced this week, there's plenty for Batman fans to look forward to.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3
Great things were expected of Uncharted 2, and developers Naughty Dog didn't disappoint, pulling out all the stops to deliver the finest action adventure to grace a home console this year. Packed with epic set pieces and thrilling gunfights, charismatic protagonist Nathan Drake's latest outing was a visual feast. Thanks to brilliant voice work, impressive in-game cut scenes and Naughty Dog's attention to detail, Uncharted 2 featured all the trimmings of a blockbuster film. The 12-hour single player campaign was a success, but for gamers craving more, a robust multiplayer mode was also added. The online fun is still incredibly popular and makes a great alternative to first-person online experiences. Uncharted 2 quite simply set the benchmark for future action adventures.

Assassin's Creed 2 - 360/PS3
The original Assassin's Creed was a great looking game, but was bogged down by repetitve tasks and awkward gameplay mechanics. The sequel mixes things up to give a better experience, making this journey through Renaissance era Italy a joy to play. Lead character Ezio is thoroughly likeable, which adds some much-needed personality to the series. Free-running across rooftops, scaling towers and exploring the beautifully rendered cities of Venice and Florence is wonderful, and with plenty of optional trinkets to collect and tombs to discover, Assassin's Creed 2 is head and shoulders above the original.

Pixeljunk Shooter - PS3

The fourth game in the excellent PixelJunk series is not only an elegant and engaging shooter, it's one of the best games to appear on the PS3's online store.

Armed with a gun, missiles and a grapple shot, the player whizzes through a series of subterranean caverns, rescuing trapped scientists and prising gems from rock faces. It's beautifully simple, but the genius of Shooter's level design becomes apparent after delving down through several layers.

Environmental hazards hinder your progress, blocking your path to the human survivors and your means of escape. Fortunately, impassable magma flows can be cooled by unleashing torrents of water, while chunks of ice can be melted by guiding magma on to slippery surfaces.

Carefully blasting chunks from rock faces allows the player to instantly change the cavern's layout and access new areas, but those with an itchy trigger finger should be warned that firing without thinking can spell disaster for the trapped scientists.

As progress is made, levels become fraught with hidden dangers and new hazards to overcome. Every new cavern is packed with wonderful ideas, keeping the game from ever becoming stale, while finding secret caves, hidden gems and locating special survivors adds to the overall package.

The wonderful electronic soundtrack fuses perfectly with Shooter's bold slabs of colour to create a delicious and strangely laid back experience.

Sword of Fargoal - iOS

Back in 1982, Jeff McCord created Sword of Fargoal - a beautifully crafted dungeon crawler on Commodore’s Vic-20. It’s been ported to other systems since then, but this iPhone version deserves special mention. 

Fargoal is a Roguelike, a game with its roots deep in the early days of computer adventures. Despite primitive visuals, Rogue and other similar games that followed, offered deep and rewarding experiences and are still popular today. They feature randomly generated dungeons and perma-death. When you die in a Roguelike, there’s no going back to a previous save. Once your dead, the adventure is over and you need to start again from scratch. To today’s modern gamer, such gameplay mechanics are archaic, but recent games such as Shiren the Wanderer on DS and Sword of Fargoal prove this type of game can be immensely enjoyable.

Fargoal has you fighting your way ever deeper through a devious dungeon in the quest for a fabled sword. However every step you take is fraught with danger. Elves armed with bows lurk in the shadows, grotesque gargoyles pounce when you least expect it, monstrous dragons try and roast you alive, while numerous pitfalls and traps hinder your progress.

Even when the sword has been collected - no easy task - the player must make their way back up through the dungeon to escape.

The iPhone’s touch screen has been used well, with finger swipes sending your hero towards his goal. Attacking another creature is simply a case of moving your hero towards the foe. Combat is instantly engaged and while early encounters are easy, care and intelligent use of spells is needed to best creatures deeper into the dungeon.

Gold lies scattered about the levels, which can be traded at temples in exchange for much-needed experience points, while bags can be unearthed which allow you to carry more loot.

Presentation is slick, with lovely lighting effects and a deliciously creepy soundtrack. Special mention goes to the descending stairs animation between levels which is wonderful.

For just £2.99 you’re getting one of the best games on the iPhone and with more updates promised, this is one adventure you should definitely undertake.

Avatar: 360, PS3

Hot on the heels of James Cameron's visually spectacular film comes the inevitable videogame tie-in and while it's better than the majority of movie-based games, it still falls well short of the mark.

The game doesn't follow the film's script, opting instead to flesh out the background story to the big-screen blockbuster. While the visuals hold up well, the repetitive missions, linear structure and loose combat mechanics suck most of the life out what could have been a great game.

There's an interesting twist when the player has to choose between fighting for the human-based RDA or side with the indigenous Na'vi tribe, but the game never rises above mediocrity. It's average at best and only die hard fans of the film will glean any enjoyment from Avatar's shallow gameplay.