What's so special about those old "static" adventure games ?

[NewDeli]

Two Deleauvive polls for the price of one, today
Since Galahad & Psygore patched quite many Text & Graphics adventure games, those last monthes...

What's so special about those old "static" adventure games ?

This includes of course Infocom text only games, Level 9 / Magnetic Scroll games, first point & clicks on the Amiga, original or ported from the c64 & CPC

[Marcuz]

third is the one

[Sensi]

I voted for third and fourth option.

[prowler]

Third is indeed the one.

[Retro-Nerd]

Yep, third is the one. Anyway, some Infocom games had awesome goodies.

http://gallery.guetech.org/moonmist/moonmist.html

[NewDeli]

mmm, may be...
but here is a detailed illustration of my choosing of the parser option, taken from Level 9 Memorial site (not trying to influence your vote) :

"Level 9 used their own interpretation language, A-code, which was more memory efficient even than plain Z80 assembler. It was developed around 1979, long before the first L9 game appeared.

The A-code data files were usually incorporated into the executable file for specific machines, together with the interpreter part. Still, even those
executables were significantly shorter than pure assembly code files would
have been! This efficiency was partially due to advanced text compression routines that reduced the memory need for texts to about 50% of their true length. Infocom's text compression, in comparison, only reduced text strings to about 67% of their real length (abbreviation alphabets notwithstanding).

A strength of the A-code system -- and at the same time one of its greatest weaknesses -- is a system of script variables, of which there are a fixed number: generally more in higher A-code versions.

For the later three-part games, Knight Orc, Scapeghost, and the Ingrid
series, the script variable system was extended by an NPC movement and action system which was internally called KAOS. The framework of this new system was originally developed by John Jones-Steele who had gained first experiences at Melbourne House.

KAOS is able to make NPCs appear "intelligent": they move independently of the player's commands, pick up things, utilise weapons, etc., following so-called "racetracks," which could be quite complex (as Knight Orc demonstrates impressively). The name "KAOS" is a mangled acronym of Knight Orc Adventure System."

[Shoonay]

and where's the option: "no idea, never played one"?

[Sensi]

I loved Level 9 games on speccy, I got first english lessons
Correct me but I think there are no games from Level 9 in TOSEC, am I right?


Visit this if you like these games.

[TCD]

Originally Posted by SensibleFan

I voted for third and fourth option.

I'm with Sensi here My two favourite Amiga ones on the Amiga are Die Kathedrale and Die Drachen von Laas. Both are like an interactive book and I still like them very much

Originally Posted by SensibleFan

Correct me but I think there are no games from Level 9 in TOSEC, am I right?

Have a look here Sensi : http://www.planetemu.net/?section=re...&rubrique=roms

[Predseda]

I voted for presentation. For example - I like the Fish! box much, but I dont like the game. The same with Tass times in Tometown.

[Retro-Nerd]

Sure there are some Level 9 games in TOSEC. Search for Gnome Ranger for example.

[NewDeli]

Hey Graham, what about making this song the EAB anthem :

"Some people think that retro-gamers can be a nightmare
But we believe that they can be a dream
For where they will go neither nerd nor n00b dare
We're the EAB's Head Tavern Ladies Bowling Team

Some people like those modern screens, flat and uninspiring
And polish them until they shine and gleam
But we think the old-fashioned ones are just as good
We're the EAB's Head Tavern Ladies Bowling Team

Some people say the sight of pixelated sprites would scare them to death
And when they see them they begin to scream
But if you want to win you've got to beat us at SOTB
We're the EAB's Head Tavern Ladies Bowling Team"


Adapted by le Sieur Deleauvive
from Peter McBride Knight Orc great novella

[Sensi]

What is really great about these games is their addictivness. When you start playing them they catch you and you are in. You need solve all the problems, find the truth. I remember my brother talking about Worm in Paradise with his friend, I wanted to be part of that world (after many years we have found that they were only at the beginning of the game, so great and huge it is). Its like reading book and have chance to influent it (of course you cant, there is some storyline but its up to you to get finish it). Two people playing MI1 have same imagination about the world but two people playing same text-adventure play it in two different worlds. These games cant lie to the players, they have only one chance how to attracts you - be good, have good story. No music, no effects, no graphics, 3D rendering shite, nothing, just game itself. Its like fat black transvestite but with brightness and good soul. And irregular bowelmovement. Sometimes better than beatiful breasted brunette with long legs thinking only about you know what. Where is Fred, I am curious about his favourite text adventures.

@TCD and RN: I know but they released more games and its shame that all of them are not in.
@ Deleauvive: Where is bowelmovement, faggotry and anteater? Sorry for saying it but my cage is waiting

[PWLM]

I liked the box arts/extras you got when you bought them initially (being a kid), but in later years the thought process that goes into solving the puzzle is impressive. I especially enjoyed Knight Orc and Guild of Thieves because there's an anticipation factor not evident in animated adventures. Great poll!

[chiark]

Magnetic Scrolls: superb story "involvers" - not just story tellers, they bring you in. Still my favourite text adventure people

[Angus]

Originally Posted by SensibleFan

I loved Level 9 games on speccy, I got first english lessons

I used to run Level 9 games on my C64 - I took a day off work to finish Snowball, that was great. Then what was it, Return to Eden, and Worm in Paradise. I had some issues with the Parser, but they were just a joy to play compared to bloody Melbourne House's the Hobbit. Dammit, I just wnated to get in the damned boat!!

[skateblind]

I would say a good game is the sum of its parts, but the third and forth options are the more enjoyable aspects.

Favourite Text Adventures:

Golden Fleece
Space Jest
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

[NewDeli]

Here is Space Jest, a freeware creation from Simon (Pegasoft), as a gift to those of you who collect this kind of games.
Difficulty level should be a tad lower than in other games cited here.

[pubzombie]

Thanx Deleauvive,
yes lvl9 were great games. i used to play one on my C64 set in Draculas castle -cant member the name of it now - but never got to finish cos the tape snapped.
cheers
steve

[NewDeli]

This thread probably deserved to remain buried .
Anyway, check this link. Your game should be mentioned.