The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

REALM OF CHAOS: VILLAGE OF THE LOST SOULS

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

Game Type          : Text Adventure

Authors             : Glen McCauley & Martin Moore

Standalone Release(s)  : 1987: THE HUNT: SEARCH FOR SHAUNA, Robico, £9.95

Compilation Release(s) : None

Stated compatibility    : Electron

Actual compatibility    : Electron

Supplier            : ROBICO, 3 Fairland Close, Llantrisant, MID GLAMORGAN CF7 8QH

Disc compatibility     : Unknown

Instructions

"An aura of doom hangs low over the mediaeval world of Albion, a primitive, mysterious world where magic still exists. Magic may only be used by the Order of Leofric, Patron of Magic and discoverer of the Thirteen Realms of the Arcane.

"As Nathan, Inquisitor of the Order of Leofric, you have been informed that the Lord Talent of Dinham is believed to be attempting to open a portal into the forbidden Thirteenth Realm, the Realm which brings terror and disorder - The Realm of Chaos...

"This superb Robico adventure features approximately 200 locations, over 100 objects, exquisitely written text, a plethora of perplexing puzzles, an exciting and original storyline, roving characters, wit and humour, an advanced sentence interpreter, thrills, spills, magic and mystery... In fact, it should give you hour upon hour of mind manipulating, brain-teasing entertainment."

Albion is a mediaeval world where magic still exists. However, it may only be used by those gifted with The Talent.

All use of magic is controlled by the Order of St. Leofric, Patron of Magic and Discoverer of the Thirteen Realms of the Arcane.

Talents working outside of the Order in the world of the Mundanes are overwatched by the supervisors and may only operate by the good will of The Order. They must regularly undertake examination by an Inquisition to ensure that contact with the Arcane has not caused corruption of mind, body and soul.

The Council of Twelve are a group of the most powerful Talents in Albion. Each member holds a key to one of the Twelve Realms of Order.

As Nathan, Inquisitor of The Order of St. Leofric, you have been summoned to the study of Father-Magister Alian to commence an investigation for the Council of Twelve. Father-Magister Alain informs you that the Lord Talent of the Village of Dinham is believed to be attempting to open a portal into the forbidden Thirteen Realm - the realm which brings disorder - THE REALM OF CHAOS!

Father-Magister Alain closes his eyes, his face cloaked by the gentle mist which rises from the ice-blue slab at his feet. He raises his hands and the azure cloud of the Transmission Spell billows around you...

Playing The Game

VILLAGE OF THE LOST SOULS uses an advanced sentence interpreter which is able to understand full sentence commands, typed in upper or lower case, as well as multiple statements. Multiple statements may be used by typing AND, THEN, or comma (,) or full stop(.).

HELP prints out a list of useful verbs. This is not a complete list but should assist you during play. LOOK prints a description of your surroundings, EXAMINE takes a close look at an object, INVENTORY prints a list of your possessions. OPEN/CLOSE acts on doors, GET etc. picks up objects, DROP etc. leaves objects behind and SCORE informs you of your current progress.

NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST, NORTHEAST, NORTHWEST, SOUTHEAST, SOUTHWEST, UP, DOWN, IN and OUT may be used as directional commands. ALL and EVERYTHING may be used in conjunction with BUT/APART/EXCEPT.

Pressing the TAB key repeats the last command line. OG (go backwards!) or OOPS allow you to retract a move you would rather not have made. SAVE/LOAD/RESTORE may be used to save or load your position.

Instructions' Source       :  VILLAGE OF THE LOST SOULS (Robico) Back And Inner Inlay

Review (Electron User) - "Revitaised Soul"

Way back in 1985 I came upon a game which heightened my whole perception of text adventuring. That adventure was released by the small, and now defunct, Magus Software - its title, VILLAGE OF LOST SOULS.

It was, indeed, the most sophisticated and atmospheric text adventure which I had ever seen. My only regret was that it was a BBC Micro-only offering, and though an Electron version was promised, it never materialised.

That is, until now. The master of silicon suspense, Robert O'Leary, thankfully bought the rights to VILLAGE OF LOST SOULS and it is now available under Robico's own label for the Electron.

This version is complete, not only with scintillating new packaging, but in a much improved and revamped form including Robico's superb advanced parser, and written using Martin Moore's Amulet machine coding. What's more, the text has been lengthened to add even greater atmosphere to the game.

The adventure includes the command OG which means if you are killed, or you did something you later regret, you can return to the position you were in before the mistake was made.

The Help facility within the game is a marvellous aid if you really do become stuck with some of the extremely devious puzzles.

LOST SOULS is set in a medieval world in which magic exists, but may only be used by those with a touch of the Talent. All use of magic is controlled by the Church, represented by the Order of Saint Leofric, Patron of Magic and discoverer of the Thirteen Realms of the Arcane.

As Nathan, Inquisitor to the Order of Saint Leofric, you have been summoned to the study of Father-Magister Alain to commence an investigation for the Council of Twelve, who hold the keys to the twelve realms of order.

Father-Magister Alain closes his eyes, his face cloaked by the gentle mist which rises from the slab at his feet. He raises his hands and the blue cloud of the Transmission Spell billows around you.

You are transported to the Village of Dinham where the Rector of the Church has requested the assistance of an Inquisitor, since he believes the Lord-Talent of the Village to be attempting to open a portal into the forbidden thirteenth realm, the Realm of Chaos.

The atmosphere has to be smelt to be believed - just try this offering: "There is an unkempt pack of curs here snapping and fighting among themselves ... woof ... bark ... snarl!"

The puzzles are ingenious, often complex and at times excruciating, but all are logical in retrospect, and enjoyable in every aspect.

This is an essential purchase for any serious adventurer. Indeed, in my humble opinion this is the best cassette-based text adventure available for either the Electron or BBC Micro.

Presentation ................... 10

Atmosphere ..................... 10

Frustration factor ............. 10

Value for money ................ 10

Overall ........................ 10

Pendragon, ELECTRON USER 5. 3