BIRTH OF THE PHOENIX (C.A.T. version) Available from www.richmond62.freeserve.co.uk Written by Ambrosine Played by Bev Truter on PC This CAT version of the old 8-bit text adventure of the same name (originally by Paul Berker) is one of two demo games for Phil Richmond's C.A.T. game-authoring system for the PC, and can be downloaded from Phil's website. PHOENIX is a small, but not- so-simple text adventure; well-written and with oodles of atmosphere, and this version was sheer delight to play using the CAT system. I had a few problems initially getting the game to run, but that was entirely my fault - old 486, unfamiliarity with WinUnzip, and a general dislike of Windows. But once past the horrors of unzipping the PHOENIX.ZIP file, it was a pleasure to play in its CAT version. CAT reminded me a bit of AGT, except that it runs through Windows, and was easy-peasy (yes, even for me!) to use. Click on PHOENIX.EXE to start, and from then on everything works like clockwork; you can LOAD, RESTART, SAVE or QUIT with no hassles at all. This version of PHOENIX is roughly the same as the original, but with a few differences in the treasures, and some added puzzles in finding them. The gist of the plot is that you must find the old phoenix - the bird in mythology that was reborn from its own ashes - and destroy it; so that the "new", young phoenix can be set free to rise again from the ashes of the old bird. As well as finding, catching, and dispatching the old phoenix in the appropriate manner, you also have to find several hidden treasures to get the maximum score. However, you win the game as soon as you destroy the phoenix, with or without the full number of points. There's also a thief roaming about, but although he looked decidedly shifty to me, he didn't nick any of my belongings. But then I'd managed to find a safe place to store the treasures I'd collected, so perhaps he only becomes a nuisance if you leave your treasures scattered about; just too much of a temptation for any self- respecting thief, really... The hardest part of this game was discovering the input required to get myself across an uncrossable gorge. After fiddling about with various bits of wood and trying to build a bridge, I (correctly, as it turned out) decided I was on the wrong track altogether; and variations on the JUMP GORGE theme just ended in predictable disaster. Eventually I hit on the right wording by chance, and my only criticism of the game would be that this seemed a rather obscure and unhinted-at method of crossing the gorge at the cliffs. PHOENIX is set in an interesting gameworld, with colourful locations to visit, places to explore, and puzzles to solve. There is a maze to contend with, but it's a fairly small one, and there's a sort of maze-mapper's kit to help you find your way through it. Although this is a smallish game geographically (about 20 or 25 locations, at a guess), it is perfect as a demonstration of the CAT system and of how an old text adventure can still be enjoyable. The plot may be done to death, the treasures may be predictable, but hey, who cares? It was fun to play! - o -