ZX Computing
1st June 1985
Games Without Frontiers
There are six programs available from this company at the moment, all text adventure games and all produced using The Quill adventure writing program. Although they have been out for a while now, testing and reviewing adventure games tends to take longer than arcade games.
The set is very well presented and each program has a difficulty level given so you can go striaght to the more complex if you are a hardened adventurer or ease in gently if not. The topics are varied and interesting and, to give them briefly, are:
Ice Station Zero
A beginners game which has you trying to defeat Stirling, the mad terrorist who has taken over the polar research station and threatens to destroy New York. It has some quite devious twists, and once you get to the station you only have thirty moves in which to complete the necessary tasks in sequence!
Cuddles
Moderate difficulty in which you are a young child entering the rather unfriendly land of make-believe. Cliff said I should try this one as I'm in my second childhood already!
Quann Tulla
A moderate difficulty space adventure where you task is to save the universe from the Empire. I spent ages on this one, I solved the initial programs easily enough but then couldn't find the cupboard key even with the aid of the Hint Sheet. Frustrating.
In Search Of Angels
Again, moderate difficulty but with a James Bond-type theme.
Faerie
An advanced difficulty game which they describe as a "surrealistic fantasy", Titania, Cyclops and a Snowman are among the cast of characters.
Four Minutes To Midnight
Also advanced level, sets you as one of the 10% of the survivors of a bacterial holocaust. Here you don't save civilisation, you rebuild it.
Summary
A great selection to cover most tastes, the games have a nice atmosphere and are well designed to allow you to begin play and then present a problem, by then you're hooked and will spend time working out the solution (hopefully). At this price, you may be tempted to buy one even if you've never played an adventure before, and I'm sure a lot of new fans will be won. Greatly recommended, and available from 18 Flaxhill, Moreton, Wirral L46 7UH.
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