C&VG
1st September 1986The Boggit
Boggit is to Hobbit what Very Big Cave is to Colossal Caves, but even less respectable.
Starting off in your tunnel-like burrow, before you can get very far, Grandalf crashes in, straight through the closed window, and deposits a box of exploding chocolates at your feet.
Dealing with this problem is not too difficult, and before long you are on your way - if you can get a word in edgeways!
The action is frequently interrupted with screenfuls of humorous narrative, in which, among other things, you are asked to "Come on down!" and guess the value of one fourteenth of Thorny's treasure.
As well as the round green door in the tunnel, there is a round green toilet, and this is the first toilet I've come across in an adventure that can actually be used for the purpose for which it was made.
Scott Adams was responsible for two flushable toilets, one in The Count, the other in Pyramid. The latter manifested itself as a throne, on which sat a formidable iron statue. Chain-pulling was necessary to find a hidden exit. Telarium's Perry Mason, and this month's Beer Hunter are among the more recent toilets to have featured in an adventure.
But here at last is the first functional toilet to accept a couple of plain English commands in four letters, beginning with an S or a C. From its murky depths it disgorges an ugly monster, to bite the unsuspecting adventurer in a most tender place before disappearing again with a gurgling sound!
Your journey, in the company of Thorny and Grandalf, takes you towards Rivendull, after a brush with some trolls who in real life, figured in some of Fergus McNeill's less happy business dealings.
A visit to Beorn's house offers up some marmalade sandwiches, whilst if you call in on Smelrond, you will probably catch him in the act. Looking up from a tall elf, he will generously give you a packed lunch, which may prove a whole lot more nutritious than Beorn's feast.
Eventually you find yourself in a Goblin's dungeon, complete with high window. If you are lucky, a little upper-level-dungeon cleaner robot will appear, and reveal a bluish trapdoor...
Boggit comes in three parts, and a tape save must be made to pass between them. Being given the option to move on does not necessarily mean you have the wherewithall to succeed in the next part. There is a RAMSAVE option which can be used locally in each part.
Graphics are pleasing and effective, neatly edged with a couple of swords rampant, and not forced upon the player at every location.
Boggit shows a surer touch, and greater confidence in approach, than its predecessor Bored. Some of the jokes are quite subtle, and the text has occasionally to be read a second time, to check whether it really means what you thought it meant, or if it is just your twisted mind at work!
As a bonus, there is a 'freebie' program included on the tape. Sceptival II, is a 200 page Ceefax lookalike, bringing you inside information on the Delta 4 crowd.
If you've met them, I have, you'll realise that the names dropped are all real people. It gives you the lowdown on all the village scandal.