The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

CLASSIC ADVENTURE

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Text Adventure

Authors            : John Jones-Steele

Standalone Release(s)  : 1985: CLASSIC ADVENTURE, Melbourne House, £9.99

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility    : Electron Side A, BBC Side B

Actual compatibility    : As stated

Supplier            : MELBOURNE HOUSE, Church Yard, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5LU

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

CLASSIC ADVENTURE was the first major computer game and now it's become a classsic in its own time. This exciting new release of CLASSIC ADVENTURE for the BBC will enable you to slay dragons, find hidden treasures and bribe trolls: and as your skill increases through more and more victories and discoveries, you too can become a master adventurer. Side 1 uses full 32K for BBC. Side 2 modified to suit Electron.

Before Crowther and Woods wrote Adventure in 1978, games all had something more or less in common. The player knew the rules, and had to try to use them to get the best possible score. In an Adventure, the aim of the game if to discover the rules!

To do this, the computer acts as your eyes and hands. It will tell you where you are and what you can see. You can tell the computer what you would like to do by giving it simple one or two word commands like "THROW AXE", "CLIMB" or "DRINK WATER".

The aim of the game is to find the many fabulous treasures hidden, and often guarded, in the Colossal Caves, and get them back to the building. But take care! Magic is said to work in the caves, and things are not always what they seem! Many things you pick up have strange side-effects and there are shady and often unfriendly characters lurking in the dark.

Typing "INFO" will get you some general information about playing CLASSIC ADVENTURE. To see how well you are doing, type "SCORE". "HELP" may be helpful at times. "INVENT" gives you an inventory of what you are carrying. "QUIT" allows you to finish the game.

Don't forget the caves have very twisty tunnel so if you go "NORTH", going "SOUTH" doesn't always get you back where you were!

Hints

The computer only uses the first four letters of the words you enter so you can save time by typing "TAKE SILV" rather than "TAKE SILVER". The direction commands can be abbreviated to a single letter. If you have tried several different ways to do something without success, it probably can't be done. Try dropping something, or move on to comething else - there's plenty to see in the Colossal Caves. Experienced adventurers generally make maps as they explore, and although mazes are difficult to

chart, it can be done! If you get really stuck, go adventuring with a friend - they may think of something you haven't.

And remember the etiquette of adventuring - revealing the tricks is like announcing the end of a whodunnit - the act of a cad!

Instructions' Source   : CLASSIC ADVENTURE (Melbourne House) Back and Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User)

It wouldn't really matter how good or bad this program is - as it is the only Electron version of the original Colossal Cave adventure, I'd have to recommend it. So it comes as a bonus to find that this adaptation is superb.

I haven't played the original Crowther and Woods version so I can't say how close to the original this is. However, it seems to have all the problems I have read about so it must be a full - or nearly full - adaptation of the original.

In it you play the part of a typical greedy adventurer. You come hotfooting it, flushed with success from your last adventure. You've heard of the fabulous treasure to be found in the area and are eager to get your share.

Armed with the objects you find above-ground you race off to the grating that gives access to the labyrinth of caves below. You soon come across your first major obstacle - a large venomous snake. Its teeth soon puncture your ego as well as your skin. It is at this point that you realise that things aren't going to be quite as easy as you thought.

Careful exploration of the earlier locations soon reveals the solution - though the final answer is for the birds. You'll also find the first magic word. This returns you to the building but remember to turn off your lamp - it won't last forever.

You progress slowly, solving a maze and other puzzles and finally enter the main body of the adventure. Eventually you will solve the game but it is more likely to take weeks rather than days. Well, what else can I add? Very few adventures ever reach the standards set by this one. It is deservedly called Classic. Somehow it is exciting to visit all these locations I have heard so much about before. In a way it is like a legend coming to life. All I can say is it's a superb game and one that no true adventurer should be without. Magic!

Merlin, ELECTRON USER 2. 4