The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

ADVENTURE

Professional, Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Text Adventure

Author             :

Standalone Release(s)   : 1983: ADVENTURE, Micro Power, £6.99

Compilation Release(s)   : 1987: PRES GAMES DISC 3, PRES, £9.95

                    1988: MICRO POWER MAGIC, Micro Power, 1988, £7.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron

Actual compatibility    : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128

Supplier            : MICRO POWER, 8/8A Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, LEEDS

                    LS7 4PE. Tel: 01532 683186.

Disc compatibility     : ADFS 1D00, CDFS 1D00, DFS 1D00

Instructions

Adventure is a text-only game where the computer acts as your eyes and ears as you wander through the fantasy world to rescue the Princess from the Magic Caverns. You have to travel through more than 100 different locations and solve many problems to achieve this goal.

You interact with the computer by using one or two-word commands. Compass directions are used for moving from location to location. The most useful commands are already set up on the function keys:-

f0: INVENTORY

f1: CHECK SCORE

f2: GO NORTH

f3: WALK EAST

f4: RUN SOUTH

f5: WEST

f6: TAKE

f7: DROP

f8: KILL

The rest of the verbs that the computer understands are left for you to discover.

You are well advised to make a map as you go along so that all avenues open to you can be thoroughly explored. Lastly your recollection of stories from the Arabian Nights could stand you in good stead.

Instructions' Source   : ADVENTURE (Micro Power) Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User)

The Electron acts as your eyes and ears in this all-text adventure game where you wander a fantasy world trying to rescue a princess from magic caverns. You have a compass, but it is fairly unreliable, often making it impossible to retrace your steps. You're well advised to make a map as you go along.

The keyboard entry uses the standard verb/noun system such as "Take axe" or "Go West". The vocabulary available is fairly large though the game leaves you to discover this for yourself, only telling you the most basic commands.

One annoying feature is that the Electron can get bored if you take your time - and it tells you so! This is usually when you're completely lost and it doesn't help. The game can be listed, but this provides no answers, which annoys me as I still can't get past the fierce rat and you can't kill him yourself. As the cassette insert tells you, your recollection of stories from the Arabian Nights should stand you in good stead.

As you might expect, there are various treasures and objects in the adventure, including a bottle of potent wine. You can drink the wine but hang on to the bottle.

All in all, the game is well written and the answers may take some time to work out, but the clues are all there. It's the type of program that has people looking over your shoulder giving "helpful" hints and ideas to try.

Although perhaps a little simple for the experienced adventurer, for the beginner it is an extremely good game.

Neil Graham, ELECTRON USER 1.12

See also                 : EUG #47 for a review of PRES GAMES DISC 3