Project Thesius (BBC/Electron) - Everygamegoing.com

Project Thesius (1986) (BBC/Electron, Cassette)

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Critic Score85%based on 4 review(s)

Audience Score100%based on 4 vote(s)

Genre:	Text Adventure
Publisher:	Robico
Cover Art Language:	English
Machine Compatibility:	BBC Model B, BBC Model B+, BBC Master 128, Acorn Electron
Release:	Professionally released on Cassette
Available For:	BBC/Electron
Compatible Emulators:	BeebEm (PC (Windows)) PcBBC (PC (MS-DOS)) Model B Emulator (PC (Windows)) Elkulator 1.0 (PC (Windows))
Original Release Date:	10th May 1986
Original Release Price:	£12.95
Market Valuation:	£28.25 (How Is This Calculated?)
Item Weight:	64g
Box Type:	Cardboard Box (Decorative)
Author(s):	Rob O' Leary, Mike O'Leary & Robert O'Leary

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Cassette

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Authors: Rob O' Leary, Mike O'Leary & Robert O'Leary

A&B Computing

1st July 1986

An excellent game... No enthusiast of the classic text only adventure form should miss this one from their collection. Read Review

Having just recently finished playing Enthar Seven, arguably the best BBC/Electron adventure around, and is also by Robico, Project Thesius does suffer in comparison. It's good - but they've done better. Read Review

Computer & Video Games

1st June 1986

This game is thoroughly polished. It has a slick feel and - more important - is fun to play. Read Review

Electron User

1st September 1986

A superb game that I can highly recommend. The location descriptions are full with masses of detail. Read Review

Full Instructions

English

Introduction

PROJECT THESIUS: RICK HANSON 2 is a text only, machine code adventure for the BBC B and Acorn Electron. The game has been written with the aid of MIDGE The Message Compression System. It has over 200 atmospherically described locations, hundreds of messages, devious problems, many objects to collect and examine and other characters to meet. The amount of text crammed into the micros has to be seen to be believed!

Entering Commands

Project Thesius has an advanced command line interpreter which allows you to type, in upper or lower case, unpunctuated sentences and multiple statements. The program analyses your command and acts on certain "key" words.

From time to time, the message "I need more information" may appear. This means that the computer understood part of what you typed but needed an extra word or phrase to carry out the command. For example, GIVE HELMET would not be sufficient. The correct phrase might be GIVE THE HELMET TO THE MAN or GIVE THE MAN THE HELMET.

To enter multiple statements simply leave a SPACE between each set of commands. For example, to go north then west you could type NORTH (SPACE) WEST on the same line.

Most words may be abbreviated. For example, GET becomes G, LOOK becomes L, EXAMINE becomes EX, NORTHWEST becomes NW and DOWN becomes D. Keep commands simple as it is usually the case that two or three "key" words need to be linked to carry out the desired action.

The program has a limited understanding of the words IT and THEM. They act on the last object mentioned on the current line. For example LOOK AT THE SHOES THEN WEAR THEM. To repeat a complete command line, press the TAB key.

The following are examples of command lines to help you during play. Some of the object names may have been changed so as not to spoil your enjoyment of the adventure.

	LIST POSSESSIONS		INVENTORY
	SWITCH ON THE LIGHT		TURN OFF THE LAMP
	OPEN DOOR		EMPTY THE CHEST AND GET EVERYTHING
	LOOK AT THE DIVING SUIT		DROP THE HAMMER
	TAKE ALL		EXAMINE THE FLIPPERS AND THEN WEAR THEM
	GO EAST PICK UP THE BOOK AND READ IT		PUT THE PACKET IN THE BIN
	THROW EVERYTHING		KILL THE MAN WITH THE CARVING KNIFE
	REMOVE THE DINING SUIT		CLOSE THE DOOR
	TIE THE ROPE TO THE HANDLE		UNTIE THE ROPE
	SHUT THE DOOR		PRESS THE BUTTON

The following system commands may also be used:

SAVE	:	Save current game position to cassette or disc
RESTORE or LOAD	:	Load a previous position from cassette or disc
CLS	:	Clears the screen
TEXT 0-7	:	Set text colour
SCREEN 0-7	:	Set background colour
QUIT	:	Start again

The Dossier

"One of our most reliable sources has sent word that the eneny has made a major breakthrough in particle beam technology and is currently developing an Adventure Weapons System. This work is being carried out under the code name Project Thesius. If we are to retain the balance of power, it is imperative that we find out more about Project Thesius.

It is my considered opinion that we send an agent in, undercover, to obtain as much information as he can about the A.W.S. One of our submarines will beach the agent at Fisherman's Cove and will remain in the surrounding waters awaiting the agent's return. Further information will be provided once the agent has landed - some in subtle form so as not to raise the suspicions of the local authorities.

This mission will require the services of our most intrepid agent: Rick Hanson.

- Agent Chuck Redhouse

Hints

Make a map. Remember that all the puzzles in this adventure have logical solutions and there is no 'magic'. Read descriptions carefully as they may contain clues.

Helpsheet

To use this help sheet, find the question to which you require either a hint or answer in the list below.

How do I dry myself?
Hint:	Find something absorbent
Answer:	Remove the flippers and diving suit then dry with the towel
How do I stop myself tripping on the path?
Hint:	Don't be so clumsy!
Answer:	Remove your flippers!
What should I do in the cave?
Hint:	The sand is soft!
Answer:	Dig
How do I open the chest?
Hint:	Type a numeric code
Answer:	Read the page torn from the directory. Note that "Billy" can only relate to "W. Short 640". Go to the cave, dig up the chest and then type 640
How do I use the telephone?
Hint:	Read the notice
Answer:	Lift the receiver, insert the coin into the slot and dial 640
How do I pass the guard post?
Hint:	Obey all the rules!
Answer:	Ensure you are dry and that no swimming gear is present. Give the guard the beach pass (from the overalls)
How do I map the village?
Hint:	Make each location different. [Read the descriptions carefully]
Answer:	Drop objects
How do I pass the dog?
Hint:	Draw the dog's attention away from yourself
Answer:	Drop the rabbit before opening the gate
What should I do in the field?
Hint:	Read the location description carefully!
Answer:	Drop snare, leave the field then return to the field to find a rabbit.
Where is the carnation?
Hint:	Where do flowers sometimes grow?
Answer:	The carnation is in the flower bed in the cottage garden
What use is the cheesewire?
Answer:	Make a snare. Make sure you are not wearing the gloves!
What use is the name tag?
Hint:	Read it for a clue
Answer:	"Billy" gives a hint to the 'phone number and the chest code
What does the message in the newspaper mean?
Hint:	It is a coded message!
Answer:	The cinema name refers to the end of the forest road which lies to the east of Witherton. Go north into the forest from the end of the road. The times refer to directions. Imagine a clock face where the numbers are translated into directions. 12 would be north, 3 would be east. Therefore 3.00 would be northeast, 3.15 would be east, etc.
How do I pass the wild boar?
Hint:	Don't hang about!
Answer:	Use the directions from the coded message in the newspaper
How do I leave the clearing at the end of the forest?
Answer:	Jump!
How do I work the helmet?
Hint:	Find a source of power
Answer:	Insert the battery into the helmet. Switch the light on/off
How do I cross the high wall?
Hint:	Climb something nearby
Answer:	Climb the tree. Make your make to the topmost branch. Tie the sheet to the branch and then climb down the sheet to the far side of the wall.
How do I avoid the bees?
Hint:	Hide somewhere
Answer:	Go into the water trough
How do I enter the castle?
Hint:	Avoid the obvious route!
Answer:	Wait for the helicopter to fly over for a second time. Go to the eastern area of dusty ground and a trapdoor into the castle sewers will have been revealed. Open trapdoor with a spanner then enter
Where is the spanner?
Hint:	The village!
Answer:	Remove your overalls in the village and wait!
The helicopter kills me. How can I avoid it?
Hint:	Don't hang about!
Answer:	Enter the castle
How do I prevent the guards from noticing me?
Hint:	Stop making your presence obvious!
Answer:	Turn the lamp on your helmet off
How do I leave the courtyard?
Hint:	Avoid the obvious route!
Answer:	Climb trellis
How do I work the dumbwaiter?
Answer:	Raise or lower the dumbwaiter.
Why am I captured in the corridors?
Hint:	You obviously don't work in the castle!
Answer:	Wear the mask and the lab coat
How do I open the sliding door?
Hint:	Type a password into the computer
Answer:	Go to the alcove nearby and wait for someone to use the door
How do I open the laboratory door?
Hint:	Find an electronic device to open the door
Answer:	Take the weighing scales to the door and stand on them
How do I get the plans?
Hint:	Who do you think has them?
Answer:	Kill the professor
How do I kill the professor?
Hint:	Strangle him
Answer:	Wear the gloves. Strangle the professor with the snare
How do I stop the alarm going off?
Hint:	Turn it off
Answer:	Pull the lever in the storeroom
How do I map the mined beach?
Hint:	Look in the security room for a clue
Answer:	Examine the map in the security room
When I reach the jetty, nothing happens. Why?
Hint:	Signal your colleagues
Answer:	If your boat is not waiting, you have failed to signal the submarine
What should I do at the pinnacle?
Hint:	Signal your colleagues
Answer:	Signal with the helmet at the pinnacle overlooking the sea!
How do I escape the guards and dogs?
Hint:	Don't hang about!
Answer:	Keep moving to evade them! Remember you're a super-fit secret agent!
How do I see in the dark?
Hint:	Shed some light on the problem!
Answer:	Light the helmet
How do I stand on the wall?
Answer:	You can't
How do I signal the helicopter?
Answer:	You can't

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A digital version of this item can be downloaded right here at Everygamegoing (All our downloads are in .zip format).

Download	What It Contains
	A digital version of Project Thesius suitable for BeebEm (PC (Windows)), PcBBC (PC (MS-DOS)), Model B Emulator (PC (Windows)), Elkulator 1.0 (PC (Windows))
	A digital version of Project Thesius suitable for BeebEm (PC (Windows)), PcBBC (PC (MS-DOS)), Model B Emulator (PC (Windows)), Elkulator 1.0 (PC (Windows))
	A digital version of Project Thesius suitable for BeebEm (PC (Windows)), PcBBC (PC (MS-DOS)), Model B Emulator (PC (Windows)), Elkulator 1.0 (PC (Windows))

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Authority Says

dave_e, an authority on collecting games for the BBC/Electron, says:

The original release of Project Thesius, in its black case with embossed inlay, is surprisingly rare, probably because it was included on Beau-Jolly's Five Star Games 2 compilation, and most Electron owners preferred to buy the compilation (and get four "free" games) rather than the single version.