Probably the first Hewson's smash hit, coded by Steve Turner in 1984.
Advertised as 'the first in a new world of computer games, the Adventure Movie', it makes the player immerse in a world of over 200 screens with wizards, spells, underground caverns, skeletons, goblins, ...
It featured a not very convincing 3D effect, but the movement of the main character, Maroc -or rather his astral projection that levitates in a very smooth way- is one of the strenghts of this game.
As you progress through the game, you get ranks that show your skills as a magician. These 16 ranks are subdivided into eight stage, from apprentice to supreme.
Collect useful objects and spells, avoid dangerous creatures and face the main challenge: destroy the evil Lord of Chaos.
Graphics are not the best point of the game, not as good as some similar contemporary hits like Ultimate's, but the levitation of Maroc is very well done. There are very few sounds (but a immersive starting tune in a good introduction) and the way the doors are opened sometimes is a bit confused, as you open one, and when you cross it you appear next door sideways, so drawing a map is recommended.
Avalon is definitely a Spectrum classic, innovative when it was released.
