What is going on here? Where are you?
Well, my friend, you've landed smack-dab in the land of Nox, a mystical, magical thoroughly-interactive world filled with all-manner of beasts, heroes, spirits and necromancers.

"Damn second-rate candle makers! I'll kill them all when I rule the world." - Hecubah

How you got here is rather easy to explain. Hecubah, the heir to the dark legacy of the northern necromancers, was casting about for a sphere of power and zap! she managed to open a portal that sucked Jack Mower into this fantastic land. For some strange reason you have been summoned to be the savior of Nox. You must defeat Hecubah and her legions of undead and nasties.

Westwood Studios' Nox has been a highly anticipated title. And Westwood lives up to the hype with a game that is amazing graphically, sports tremendous audio and is just a lot of fun to play. And talk about a huge game board. Nox features seven general areas, each with different challenges.

Options-wise, this game is limited. Yes, you can adjust the graphical elements and sound elements, and you can customize Jack to a certain extent by changing minor colors in skin tone, hair and clothing. But don't expect to find a 'rookie' setting that will allow you to ease through the game without much chance of dying. The recommendation is that before trying anything silly - like jumping over the lava stream instead of using the bridge which you can't quite see unless you move a little further up the board - save.

Save often!

You begin by picking the class of character you wish Jack to become. Training and experience are the keys for all three classes - warrior, conjurer or wizard. Jack must learn the skills of his chosen profession and implement those. The warrior is non-magical, but can acquire enchanted weapons; the conjurer uses the bow, and summons or 'conjures' up creatures to aid him; the wizard is the master spell-caster and can rely on metaphysical forces to rout the foe.

The game itself uses the mouse effectively. A right click will move your character, the left lick will allow him to use an object, or battle a foe. Pay attention as you traverse the land of Nox. There are numerous signs with hints and tips in the early going that will give you the quick experience that you need. And for those first starting out, there is a walk-through to guide your initial steps in this fantastic realm.

Visually this program is similar to older Ultima games in style, or you can think of it as a cross between Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri and Eidos Interactive's Revenant. Where Nox steps apart from those titles is in the richness of the landscape. And the AI is much more advanced.  Nox is full of hidden devices, puzzles and reflexive challenges. This is quite an amazing world beckoning you to explore it.

Nox supports multiplayer gaming through either a network or LAN line using the TCP/IP protocol, or over the Internet through Westwood Online. If you are connected to your ISP, the program has buttons that will allow you to set up the action. At the latter, there are a multitude of options. You must sign in, but then you can chat with other gamers, or indulge in clan warfare, either by joining a clan or creating your own.

Nox is rated Teen for animated blood and violence.

Install: Medium. Nox takes time to install, but you are treated to a history of the land and original artwork for much of that time.

Gameplay: 9. This game is very smooth, very adept at the transitions from one game board to another.

Graphics: 9. Quite amazing and they draw you further into the program.

Sound: 9. Solid and wonderful, from the voice-overs to the music. Attention has been paid and is rewarded with this program's sound.

Difficulty: 9. No quarter is given. You must expect and prepare for the worst. But that is where the fun lies.

Concept: 7.5. OK, not quite so original - an innocent thrust into a world of evil and magic - it's been done. But that doesn't make it any less fun.

Overall: 9. With the great graphics, interactive game board and challenge, this is bound to be one of the most successful titles Westwood has ever produced.