@~This issue's 'Something Different' is

   Prince of Persia 2 - Electronic Arts/Broderbund RRP œ39.99
                (Arcade game for PC only)

        Played on PC and reviewed by Alex McEwan

Let me start by saying that I know this is not an adventure in any
sense of the word, and that I am one of those who normally
believes that adventure magazines should be just that, and should
not stray into the realms of arcade games. However, the original
Prince of Persia is generally acknowledged as a classic
arcade/puzzle game, and I felt that there may be a few people
amongst the readership who would appreciate a review of this
sequel. I wrote it, and asked Sue to decide if it had any place in
the magazine.

In the original game the plot revolved around your attempts to
free a princess being held prisoner by an evil vizier. Until the
start of the sequel you have been happily married to the princess
for eleven days, but now, by use of magic, the vizier has taken on
your appearance and has convinced everyone that you are an evil
impostor. You are forced to flee the country on a ship, and your
quest is then to return and save the kingdom from the vizier's
wicked designs.

Although the basis of the game is a platform slash-'em- up, the
animation and the puzzle element are what set it apart from the
norm in that field. When the original was released it featured
quality of animation never before seen on the PC, and this sequel
maintains the high standard.  The movement of all characters, but
particularly the hero is superb. The range of actions includes,
walking, running, crouching, crawling, and jumping. He can also
climb up, drop down, and leap to and from, various ledges and
platforms, and engage in fencing duels with the many strange
creatures which inhabit the labyrinth in which he finds himself.

In the main the puzzles involve finding how to open various doors
by stepping on keystones, but there are a number of other
elements, which I can't reveal for fear of spoiling the enjoyment
of those who intend to play the game. Careful use of the various
potions scattered around the locations is as much of a general
hint as I can give.  (I can provide the answer to the skeleton on
the bridge on level 4 if you get stuck.)

With a Soundblaster or equivalent installed the plot is fully
narrated, in the best use of speech I have heard in a game, during
the opening and subsequent animation sequences. If desired these
can be skipped, but I think most people will want to see and hear
them at least first time around.

As in the original you have a limited amount of time in which to
complete your mission, and judicious use of the save and restore
functions should ensure that you manage within the limit. This is
one area in which the original was disappointing, as only one
saved game could be maintained, unless you constantly quit and
renamed the saved file name. No such problem this time with plenty
of save slots available.

There are lots of the old enemies around to be fought and disposed
of, as well as a few new ones, including floating gorgon-like
heads and snakes.  Traps for the unwary include, boiling oil pits,
and spring loaded swords which cut you clean in half, should you
walk or run past the wall in which they are situated.

Most people who played the original couldn't understand why
Broderbund hadn't released a sequel. Well, now they have, and if
you enjoyed the original you should have no complaints about how
they have gone about it. I think it quite superb and would
recommend it to anyone with any interest in PC gaming. I was
fortunate enough to get hold of an imported copy but I believe the
UK release is set for July.

@~The game has now been released in the UK - Sue