From TES issue 23 (September 2003)

Series 7. Level 1/2.
THE FIRE ROOM
This was one of Lord Fear's technologically advanced puzzles introduced into series 7. It was a dark room that had four layers of floor with pits and two sliding blocks in between each of them. When the blocks moved, fireballs shot out of the walls on either side. It was no easy task to complete this puzzle as the dungeoneer needed to be directed across one of the unstable blocks not only at a time when it was not going to move and send them toppling into the pit, but also at a time when it would not lead the dungeoneer right into the path of a fireball. A good strategy was to walk along one wall when all the blocks were lined up next to it, but this still required the advisors to keep a close eye on the fireballs.

I think this puzzle would probably have claimed itself some victims if not for the fact that the team always had to make use of a spell or item to help them complete the challenge. While Simon IV and Ben III both used seeing-eye spells to help them in the challenge, Barry used a FIREPROOF potion to protect himself against the fireballs. You could therefore argue that the puzzle was not given a fair chance to substantiate itself, particularly as (unlike the easier version of the room without the fireballs that also featured in series 7) it did not return for series 8. At least the magical help that the teams had was not always completely unwarranted, as both Ben and Barry had to pick up items from one of the strips of floor - Ben had to get a firestone for Smirkenorff; Barry some witch amber for Greystagg. It was a good puzzle and was possibly underused in the series.

I would have liked to have seen it featured without spells to help the teams, maybe in level three as it would have fitted quite well into the arsenal of the Black Tower of Goth, but never mind. I'll get to the scores before I go off on one again, I think.

Difficulty: 8 Had to keep an eye on the fireballs and the floor - tricky.
Killer Instinct: 2 Given more challengers, it probably would have got one.
Gore Factor: 4 I guess it could have been quite spectacular.
Fairness: 6 Possibly a bit much for level one.

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