A fantasy role-playing game is a type of game that gives the player certain attributes in order to accomplish a particular goal or task. Temple of Apshai is a good example of this type of game. The player must utilize such attributes as dexterity, intelligence, strength, tools, fatigue, and so on, to fight his way through a maze populated with monsters and other untoward dangers.

This is the longest and most versatile of the Dunjonquest series. The master program allows you to create your own characters. Alternatively, you can let the computer choose character traits and abilities at random. Your player moves through a series of rooms displayed on the hi-res screen and gains experience or treasures while fighting a never-ending series of terrible monsters. The combat portion is nicely conceived. Your character can attack, thrust, parry or fire arrows. Of course, he has to be facing the opponent. All movement and fighting commands are single stroke keyboard commands. This means that you have to become fast and proficient in the limited time allotted to your making a move. The monsters don't wait for you to turn around or fight. One of the drawbacks in the game is that a monster's status isn't displayed. You never know how much fight is left in it and might use one of your precious arrows to finish it off when it only needs one more sword thrust. Also, since your commands are held until executed, sometimes you waste a shot after the monster's demise. Your status is displayed on the left of the screen. You can tell immediately how wounded or fatigued your character becomes. If the status of your wounds becomes zero, you die. There is of course the possibility of resurrection but that depends on who finds you. The dwarf and wizard demand a very stiff price in treasure or belongings.

The object of Temple of Apshai is to explore a four-level dungeon and obtain its twenty treasures. Some rooms contain secret doors and traps. Whenever you leave the dungeon, you can pawn your treasures at the inn for weapons, armor and healing salves. Since the program doesn't keep track of each treasure's worth (you look it up), it is quite possible to cheat.

The author has shown as much thought in preparing the documentation as in writing the program. The documentation includes a Book of Lore which not only relates how to play the game but provides the player with the background and mechanics of fantasy role-playing games in general. In sum, this is an excellent game, one that's very involving. With its numerous difficulty levels and play options, the game can last for hours. Fortunately, games can be saved if you become pressed for time.