The Blade o f Blackpoole is a Hi-Res adventure set in the rivers, lakes, and countryside of a non-specific, medieval magical fantasyland. The object is to find the Sword of Myraglym and return it to its rightful place. Standing between you and success are talking plants and idols, several riddles, a booze-happy monster, a tough-hided lizard, and a variety of ways for you to come to a premature end. A secondary object is to gain the maximum of 500 points for solving the puzzles; it is distressingly easy to receive the final accolade of having your name proclaimed throughout the land only to find that you have but 499 points. While most points come in clumps of about 40 at a crack, the anticlimactic challenge is to find which object is worth that extra point.

The two-sided game requires only one flip during the boot-up cycle, with the entire game then played (and saved) on the second side. The Assembly Language program is pleasingly fast in its response and color-fill time, even though there is a degree of disk interaction. The game involves 60 locations, including a six room maze. The puzzles are not particularly logical in their solution, but are interactive and so fun nevertheless. The vocabulary and synonym recognition are good, but differentiation between unknown and inapplicable words leaves much to be desired. The command parser permits the use of multiple words, and the save-game implementation permits ten scenarios to be quickly saved or called up at any time. Should you get stuck, the friendly "Help" command may occasionally come through, either with a blatantly obvious or oblique hint.

The principle challenge of the game is inventory management: only 6 of the 23 total objects can be carried at any one time. Several traditional objects (vital in other adventure games) are present, but are not essential in this one. Most have a specific application, while several objects have multiple uses, including one which must be left in a general area in anticipation of its use later in the game. As the game involves two distinct play areas, and returning from the second isn't overly practical, the sequence of property management thus becomes an interesting blend of logic, trial, and error.

While there is nothing novel or innovative in The Blade o f Blackpoole, and its storyline and graphics are only so-so, it is imaginatively done and fun to play. The overall difficulty level is slightly on the tough side; it is ideal for average adventurers, not too difficult for novices, and yet presents experienced adventurers with an interesting and enjoyable diversion. All in all, The Blade o f Blackpoole is Sirius's best adventure to date.