C&VG
1st November 1985
Publisher: Adventure International
Machine: Acorn Electron
Published in Computer & Video Games #49
Robin Of Sherwood
As the Outlaw of Sherwood Forest, your task is to find the six touchstones of Rhiannon and return them to the stone circle they should be in. No problem, as long as you stay alive - and that's not easy as practically every location which isn't a tree is booby trapped.
This graphic adventure moves satisfyingly quickly - from one death to the next in my case - only slowing up in the forest. It's crucial to map the forest as one big vegetable looks very much like another; it is possible to bash into the edge of the forest repeatedly before it finally twigging that you have been in the same place for the last ten key presses, and that the forest can only be left through proper exits.
Once a way has been found to an interesting location, save the game. The chances are that sudden death will follow a wrong decision and send you back to the beginning of the game - an exceedingly boring dungeon from which there is only one escape routine. The other locations are more interesting, castles, courtyards and caves with objects to find and hidden places to explore.
The adventure includes short re-runs of Robin's most famous legends including the treacherous archery contest set up by the Sheriff of Nottingham to trap him and the fight with Little John. Unfortunately, neither of these events seem as romantic or exciting as the stories. Maybe that's to do with trying to fit complicated scenes into a few words and a small illustration.
The programmers, Mike Woodroffe and Brian Howarth, have gone to some length with subtle detail where they can. The waterfall is animated (try going under it for a surprise!) and Siward the Thief is so light-fingered that he steals not only from the Sheriff, but also from you. It's a fair bet that you won't realise how much he's tkan until you try to bribe someone and find your slush fund is all gone.
There's a free hint sheet available. It's a good idea to get it and to read the instruction sheet carefully as the game is very particular about input.
Remember to talk to every character in the game. Of course, stopping to talk to a bunch of furious guards is a good way to get killed, but with everyone else it's worth a try. Not that all of them say anything very interesting, especially the downright boring Herne the Hunter, who looks impressive with his stag's head and robes, but never says much more than repeating his prophecy about the return of the stones. Cheeky Maid Marion is more fun!
Robin Of Sherwood is a competent and clean adventure game.