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Level 9/Mosaic Bookware, £9.95 cass
Author: Richard Kelly, Caroline Holden

Just about everyone (except perhaps those trappist monks in the Welsh heartlands who have locked themselves away in solit-ary confinement never to see the light of day again) has surely heard of Adrian Mole. There are his two diaries, he's just had a telly program based around his exploits. He's also been on numerous chat shows and now he's on a computer game. What next?

Although the writers of this program are Level 'fab 'n' brill 9 Adrian Mole cannot really be classed as an adventure — it's more of a decision game. At regular intervals during the game you are asked to step into Adrian's (sanitised) shoes and make the decisions for him. For example, Adrian gets a spot. Do you squeeze it, bung on some cream or just ignore it? Each decision either awards or takes away points from your total percentage depending on how successful the move was. Each percentage has a rating starting from average schoolboy to
Soodness knows what — we aven't completed it yet.
There are graphics constantly on screen and which regularly update during the course of the game. Most of the pictures are based on the illustrative themes found in the original book. The text also, is based very much on the original work by Sue Townsend. Most of the time, the text scrolls through in the form of a computerised book, before options are presented to the player.

The game at least matches the traditional Level 9 format in terms of appearance. The screen is split into a graphics window in the top half and text window in the bottom half. Because of the lack of text input and the rather channelled nature of the game, it isn't possible to skip through certain areas of the plot, the way you could in standard Level 9 fare. Finding a route through this game is likely to cause some real headaches.

CRITICISM

It seems that Level 9 have come up with the solution to the problem of making multiple choice questions interesting. Some of the options and their conclusions are very funny indeed. Making a game out of the idea is, however, not so much of a good thing. Most of the time you are reading the same stuff that appears in the book (and that's a lot cheaper). Level 9 have come out with some excellent games — and I'm not criticising the qual-ity of the programming — but I don't feel that this really works as a game, too well.

I had my doubts when asked to play Adrian Mole, but I can assure you they have gone now. Level 9 have got to have a hit with this one. There are millions of Mole fans who will be very pleased to see that they have done justice to the guy. It s full of funny situations with witty solutions and the enjoyment of taking part in Adrian's decision making is something that just does not pall. I can see the lack of real action putting some people off, but otherwise this is a game you should get — right now.

More games of this standard would be really welcome. There's not enough of this kind of stuff on the market. There were times while playing, where I disagreed with the right' decision and this was annoying at first. Of course I soon learned that once into the spirit of it, you learn to take the I whole affair with a pinch of salt. That's when the game start to become fun. If you're not an Adrian Mole fan to start with, this program could easily convert you. It will certainly not put you off,..

Presentation 82%
Not outstanding for Level 9, but well laid out, nonetheless

Graphics 79%
Some subtle and witty illustrations — all well drawn

Sound N/A%
This is the kind of game where lack of sound is not missed.

Playability 89%
No problem!

Addictive qualities 85%
Once the sense of humour grabs you, it's a great way to give your joystick muscles a rest.

Value for money 84%
Very reasonable for such a good game.

Overall 89%
There are some people who will always dislike the adolescent hero, but for the rest of us. this is a classic.