C&VG


Wishbringer

Publisher: Infocom
Machine: Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #51

Wishbringer

The Legend of Wishbringer starts in the instruction book, in the form of a beautifully illustrated poem. It tells of how Morning Star, a baby girl of rare and perfect beauty, was kidnapped by the evil Queen Alexis so that she may in time become her daughter.

Six brave knights had tried to win the hand of Morning Star by completing dangerous tasks set by the Queen. All, of course, had failed, just as the Queen had planned.

In the ages that followed, the kingdom turned to dust. All was lost save the heart of the princess, which with the passing of time had turned into a glowing stone, known as "The wishbringer". The reason for the title is simple - it is said that he who bears the stone will be granted seven wishes, one for Morning Star, and one for each of her lost loves.

Wishbringer

Wishbringer starts with you standing outside the Post Office in the village of Festeron, in which the game is set. You have taken a job there and your first task of the day is to deliver a letter to the old woman who runs Ye Olde Magick Shoppe. There are some pretty strange rumours going around about her. It's not surprising considering the way she mutters on about trolls, quests and somebody called The Evil One. It is even said that she has a rock that makes dreams come true!

It is not until you step outside the old woman's shop that you get the first hint that there are indeed strange things afoot. To say more about the plot at this stage would give too much away!

Wishbringer has been given a new story format, which makes it a very friendly game to play.

Wishbringer

One or two references to other games crop up, this was like meeting old old friends! There's even the chance to take a peek into a Grue's Nest and live to tell the tale! But the best laught for me came when I found myself standing by a white colonial house...

There are two difficulty levels in Wishbringer - you can either solve the problems using pure logic, or invoke magic instead. That is the easy way, to be used only in the last resort, so in fact it is a form of cheating! But by using it you don't score any points for the achievement, but nevertheless it is great fun!

As is usual for an Infocom game, the packaging is superb, and includes not only a disk, but also a map of the village of Festeron, your very own glow-in-the-dark Wishbringer, and a most special sealed letter.