You look up, then down. As you turn the corner you hear the rattle of steel clashing against armor. Slowly you proceed down a dark corridor, noticing that there is a lava pit to the right. Suddenly, you hear a noise behind you and quickly turn one-hundred-and-eighty degrees, noticing that a large monster is chasing you. There is no choice this time, you must get out the trusty old spell book and cast the acid rain spell. There is a loud bang from above, and green droplets rain down on the beast. The monster is destroyed instantly, and your journey can continue.

	A scenario such as the one described above is just one of the possible problems that could arise in SSI's new 3DO role playing game, Slayer. Based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons concept, this game maintains the distinct AD&D feel, while using the 3DO's processing power to its advantage.

	To say there is a plot in Slayer is an overstatement. It is more accurate to say there is a goal: hack and slash through a number of dungeon levels, eventually meet up with the evil overlord, and try to defeat him. The concept is simple and to the point, but your quest through the dungeon will be anything but simple.

	Slayer continues the familiar RPG standard of having a number of pre-generated characters to choose from. Alternately, players can create or "roll" their own. Characters range in skill and race: some are spell casters, while others are better-suited to . . . more traditional methods.

	Perhaps Slayer's most unique aspect is the fact that the game's dungeons are custom generated; users can set a number of parameters, including the number and variety of monsters, traps, and treasure chests. SSI claims that there are over 4 billion possible dungeon designs, so in essence, you'll never see the same one twice – unless you play this game a heck of a lot.

	The game unfolds in a first-person perspective 3D view. The engine is top notch compared to the first 3DO dungeon game, Monster Manor. In Slayer, the floor and ceiling have textures, and players can look up and down to spot situations above and below them. Each dungeon level has unique textures, and there are numerous hazards in the environment, including lava pits. In the bottom left corner of the screen is a small automap, and through the main menu, you can easily call up a map of the entire level.

	SSI claims there are 39 more monsters in Slayer than Monster Manor, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. To combat these monsters, you will be able to obtain a number of weapons – or spells, whichever the case may be – throughout the levels. Switching weapons and armor is easily done through a status screen, and this screen also allows players to eat rations or drink healing potions.

	All in all, fans of AD&D games will probably enjoy Slayer when it is released. SSI is really pushing the fact that this game custom-generates dungeons at the start of each game. This element should easily increase the replay value of the game – just think of playing Doom, but each time you started the game, it built a totally new level. Although Monster Manor was a good first generation title on 3DO, it appears that Slayer will be a second generation title, beefing up the 3D engine, and adding a lot more to do in the environment. SSI has made some bold promises with Slayer, and hopefully the final product will deliver as much fun and excitement as the hype suggests.