Previous Next

Knight Orc is Level 9's latest release under the Rainbird label and is a major step forward in adventure sophistication.

The game is large - so much so that it is split into three separate parts. Because it is so big, there is no room left for graphics - for Atari 8 bit owners this version is text only.

In most adventures the role of the hero or heroine is normally taken over by the player. Not so in Knight Orc. True, you do play the main part, but in this case the star is an ill-smelling, cowardly Orc by the name of Grindleguts.

Orcs have been persecuted by adventurers for generations - is it possible that you now have a chance to get your own back?

The game starts in splendid style with you being challenged to a fight by a human knight. Only trouble is someone has tied you to your horse so you can't run away, much as you'd like to.

Apparently, your erstwhile Orc chums did this to you while you were intoxicated, volunteering you as their champion while you snored on.

Because you're a yellow-streaked, somewhat repellent streak of Orcanity, you'll be spending much of your time running away from potential duffings-up. It seems at times as if the entire population has got a personal grudge against you.

And that's possibly one of the drawbacks with the game. Although a generous helping of personalities is to be desired in an adventure, there are so many characters in Knight Orc (over 70, I believe) that at times you become a little bewildered by all the to-ing and fro-ing, fighting and fleeing.

The huge cast list includes such notables as Rapunzel, the Green Knight, the Annihilator, Brunhilde, Green Sleeves, Jabberwock, Kris the Ant Warrior, Mrs Wallop, Synonym the Wizard and Professor Nutter. Not be taken too seriously, you see.

Another unusual feature is that no mapping is required. You need simply state where you want to go (major locations are mentioned in the text), and the program will take you step by step along the appropriate route. Go, run and find are the main commands for movement - you can also use them to locate objects which you have previously seen or mislaid.

Characters can be talked to, commanded, followed and even ambushed - the powerful parser allows you to carry out such interesting actions as "Wait for the innkeeper and attack him".

Simultaneous action is possible. For example, you can instruct a character to go off and find something. At the same time as that person is carrying out your instructions, you can continue with your own business.

Magic is also at work in Knight Orc. There are 21 spells to find and learn, and they can be used in unexpected ways. In addition, all is not as it first seems in this game.

Although the plot casts you in the role of an oppressed Orc whose prime objective in Part 1 is to stay alive long enough to collect enough lengths of rope to cross a bridge into Part II, once there, the notion may slowly dawn on you that something very strange is going on.

There's a neat twist to this adventure, but you'll have to discover it for yourself.

As well as a large cast list, Knight Orc has a vast number of locations. Many are fairly predictable (a wide range of similar arboreal spots in Part 1, for example).

In this respect, the game could have done with a bit of tightening up. Given the quantity of characters and locations, the nature of your initial task, and the arbitrary nature of the characters' appearaces, Knight Orc has a somewhat unstructured and sprawling feel to it at the beginning. However, perseverance pays off - Parts II and III are better in this respect.

As well as detailed and stimulating text, a powerful parset and a massive vocabulary, the game also has the usual save and restore features including ram save and restore.

Knight Orc has its flaws, the too-large cast list and the too frequent random appearances of the characters being chief among them.

But, having said that, the adventure has a lot to ffer and is certainly one of the most sophisticated around.

On strict value for money terms, you get a great deal of high quality material, entertainment and play for your cash.

Knight Orc can be a little frustrating and unsatisfying in its early stages, but the game is so big and complex that, if you persevere, you'll be well pleased with this addition to your adventure collection.