t Vol. VI, # 7 July, 1989 $2.50 In one era, out the other Activision teleports InfocoIn to California! The little white house has been boarded "Basically we're keeping Infocom as a one will have a lot more graphics and up, the entrance to Zork's Great Under­ separate business unit inside Mediagenic, animation." ground Empire sealed off, and thousands with Rob Sears as General Manager. We Knowledgeable text adventurers have of curious artifacts and red herrings want to keep Infocom going, and with all revelled at the humorous references to In- packed away in boxes: little more than the rumors go­ focom insiders over the two years after Activision's acquisition ing around years, things like the Dom of Infocom, the California-based compa­ now, we're ea­ Beast in Sorcerer, a send-up ny has shut down Infocom's Cambridge, ger to let our il­ of Michael Dornbrook Massachussets, office. First word came at lustrious users (founder of the Zork User the Computer Game Developers Confer­ know that group and head of Infocom' s ence in Sunnyvale, where the author of we're not stop­ marketing until now). Like Planet/all and Zork Zero was seen wear­ ping develop­ Dornbrook, the rest of the ing a badge that said "Steve Meretzky: ment--on the original crew won't be tele­ Make me an offer." contrary, Marc porting to California. Marc Don't panic, however, for according to Blank is actual­ Blank, on the West Coast Joe Ybarra, vice president in charge of ly working on since last year, is working Activision entertainment software, ''The a project for us Joe Ybarra (with optional palm from home on his next Infoc- Great Underground Empire, curiously right now. It's tree growing from top of head) om game, but Dave Lebling, enough, has not been shut down. What's not a Journey se­ Steve Meretzky and Stu Gal­ happened is that we're in the process of quel, at least in the literal sense, and ley, the sole survivors of the Activision relocating it to the West Coast" [far from won't even use the same system. This M. I. T.'s Artificial Intelligence lab, Continued on page eleven birthplace of Zork and the Infocom saga]. "As you might imagine, a lot of the ratio­ nale for doing that is financial. Market The Usurper: Mines of Qyntarr conditions as a whole are not as good as All-text adventures are vanishing faster trepid adventurer with a saved game to in the past And of course for Infocom than sea otters in Prince William Sound fall back on, so I plunged into the cabin and the type of product we've been build­ (a fate that was accelerated even more and grabbed the lantern and saber (just as ing in the past, it's defmitely gotten a lot when an Exxon tanker smashed into the I did in Zork l) and headed for the cave worse. adventure game section of a San Bernadi­ that led to the Mines of Qyntarr. Consolidating on the Coast no Eggheads last week), so devotees of After recovering scraps of parchment, the genre should appreciate Usurper, a notes and assorted other clues, I eventual­ "On the other side, there were a 1985 game finally published this year. ly surmised the long-range goal is to couple of other issues, starting with the The title screen calls this "Book III," track down and deal with King Aken in changes we were making in ZIL (Zork which suggested Books I and II would his invisible castle, which does entail re­ Implementation Language). Many of follow in a series of prequels. But a call covering the previously mentioned Orb of those changes were to get object-oriented to Sir-Tech clarified the situation: the au­ Qyntarr (obviously this did not require a graphics, animation and sound effects thor, Scott Thoman, submitted designer's great deal of surmising). This turns into a into the code. A lot of that was already notes on all three games, and Book III classic "find the treasure and tum it in for ongoing at Mediagenic on the West was chosen as the most exciting way to points" adventure along the lines of Orig­ Coast, so rather than having a 3,OOO-mile start the series. Since then, however, inal Adventure and Zork [. difference between the places where the they've decided against producing anoth­ When it came to picking out puzzles, programming was going on, it was a lot er one (not because it isn't selling, just Thoman chose non-violent solutions for more efficient to put it all under one roof. that it's not selling fast enough, as was dealing with dragons, ogres and a famil­ [Activision changed its corporate name also the case with First Row's Dr. iar-looking Pirate who insists on killing to Mediagenic in 1988, keeping the Acti­ Dumont). you. That much I like. Rather than killing vision name for its entertainment line.] Thoman's tale begins in a forest, or resorting to magic, you'll solve most Last but not least was consolidating all where a nearby sign reiterates King problems with an item or password. the 'people resources' in terms of getting Aken's warning that death lies in store Clues to their whereabouts may be our designing, producing and manage­ "for those who would seek a certain found in notes, the inscrutable utterings ment all under one roof. Orb." But death means nothing to an in- Continued on page thirteen Letters . .. Adventure Hotline .. . to the ~ ~ Editor New POB for QB! world from destruction. It's supposed to Dear QuestBusters: Yes, we've moved again-gotta stay one ship in June for IBM, Amiga. ST and C This is just a quick note to let you know I 64. step ahead of those Orcs, you know. All appreeiate the way you responded so correspondence (except for the sUbscrip­ tion cards found in games) should now Epyx's English Mystery soon to someone's suggestion about put­ be sent to QuestBusters, POB 5845, Tuc­ Devon Aire in the Hidden Diamond Ca­ ting the next issue's contents the Journal. son, AZ 85703. per, an animated mystery adventure, is I had wanted to see this kind of thing, out for the C 64 and ST, with IBM, Ap­ too. SSI Moves Too! ple and Amiga versions planned by Linda Fischer While some software companies are Christmas. It looks and plays like a slick struggling through the current slump, oth­ version of Fairlight, the British C 64 Funny you should mention it, because ers are expanding. SSI just moved to larg­ game of a few years back. this time two of the reviews we had er spaces at 675 Almanor Ave., scheduledfor this issue, Shogun and Tan­ Sunnyvale, CA 94086. The new customer Conversions Keep A' comin' gled Tales, didn't arrive in time. That's support number: (408) 737-6810. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? one reason we stopped publishing a has been released for the Amiga. Gaunt­ "Next Issue" section in the first place. Call Me Bonds: Azure Bonds let's out for Mac, with color and sound Hopefully you won't mind an occasional on the Mac II.An ST Piratesis in port. In­ SSI says Curse of the Azure Bonds, the snafu like this, since it is certainly bound sequel to Pool ofRadiance, is scheduled diana Jones and the Temple of Doom, to ship in July for C 64 and IBM. It will Mindscape's action adventure, has been to happen again. And hopefUlly we'll get accept characters from Pool and Hillsfar, converted for IBMs with 512K, and it both those reviews in the August issue. or you can create new ones. Bonds will supports CGA, Tandy and EGA graphics introduce more than 24 new high-level (faster machines recommended for the Dear QuestBusters: spells and lots of new monsters as your last two). Deja Vu II is available for the Will you be doing another Quest for party unravels the riddle of the azure blue GS. Clues any time soon? symbols that suddenly appear on the arms Murray Reinhardt of everyone in the city of Tilverton. A Bug Report: C 64 Magic Candle cluebook is set for the fall. Two bugs cropped up in this conversion: It was going through final layout at ORI­ if you don't have a fast load cartridge, the GIN as we went to press with this issue. Wibann: A Japanese Action RPG title screen freezes up, and there were Lookfor it in July or early August. The problems with dropping and adding char­ Broderbund's Wibarm (pronounced WE­ solutions in Questfor Clues II were listed barm) is a 256K "action role-playing acters in the Knight's Room. The solu­ game" (their first) for IBM science fic­ tion: send in your warranty card and in the June issue, and we'll run them tion fans. You play an intergalactic inves­ you'll automatically get version l.7, the again next month. (This information will tigator armed with a Wibarm, a heavily latest upgrade. be added to the brochure that goes out to, armed vehicle that can be transformed all new subscribers, so we won't have to from an armored robot to a land cruiser The Jetsons and Gary Gygax eat up space in every issue with it.) If you or jet (which sounds a lot like the Trans­ At the World of Commodore Show in L. want to go ahead and order, see page six­ former cartoons) to fight monsters in a A. (more on this next month), MicroTIlu­ teenfor price and shipping information. series of mazes. The game is already a hit sions was showing a beta version of The in Japan, and it's the first from ARSYS, Jetsons on the Amiga. It's an animated Inc., to be converted for the USA market. adventure that was fun and easy to play. Gary Gygax, co-creator of Advanced Universe III Blasts Off DungeonsandDragons, was spotted later Omnitrend announced a June 1 shipping that day as he left a meeting with Jon van Caneghem at New World Computing date for the IBM version of their space Editor: Shay Addams (Jon won't say whether Gygax is design­ saga, which will support the Ad-Lib and News Editor: Nuyu ing an RPG for NWC, or if Gygax is now CMS synthesizer boards as well as EGA Contributing Editors: Ken St. Andre, Tim selling Amway.) and CGA graphics; it employs an icon in­ Snider, Stephen King, Brian Smith, Bob terface this time. Look for Amiga in Au­ Guerra, William E. Carte, Charles Don gust, ST in September. MicroProse on the Move Hall, Mike Bagnall, Tracie Forman MicroProse bought Telecomsoft, the Hines, Steven Payne, Russ Ceecola, Matt Cinemaware's The Kristal and computer game arm of the British phone Hillman, A. Bruce Lotts Dark Side company, Telecom. Teleeomsoft handled The Kristal of Kronos is an original stage the Magnetic Scroll's graphic adventures QuestBusters is published monthly by musical adapted as a "graphic adventure, imported by Rainbird. Now all USA dis­ Kowabonga, LTD. Annual subs, $18. space exploration, arcade action" game. tribution of The Pawn and other Magnet­ Canada, $24, Int'l, $32, Intergalactic, 324 The plot involves a space pirate looking ic Scrolls' games has been suspended. ziirgz. Textual contents Copyright Shay for that darned crystal. It was set to ship Jinxter is expected to be rereleased next Addams, 1989, All Rights Reserved. in May for ST and Amiga, with IBM to year, but no others plans are set. Micro- , Copying without express permission is follow. Dark Side is a "3-dimensional Prose also announced a five-year contract prohibited and punishable by staging the space adventure" staged in the future, with Dan Bunten (M. U. L. E., Seven Cit- next Ayatollah's funeral in your living where a mercenary strives to save the room. Continued on page eleven Space Quest III: Best Quest of the Month When last we saw Roger Wilco, he was and I enjoyed them. The graphics and the Roland MT-100 and a stand-alone making a break from the fortress of sound were great, but the music was Midi card used with a Casio keyboard. Sludge Vohaul in a one-man emergency much more scarce than in King's Quest Support for the CMS Creative Music spaceboat Nobody knows how long he I V, and aside from the graphics, the System is also in the works, but was not will drift aimlessly through outer space. games seemed only a slight improvement included with this game. (CMS users Nobody knows the trouble he's seen. No­ over games developed under the old AGI should contact Sierra.) body knows his sorrow. But I digress ... system. With the re­ If they handed out Space Quest III begins with our hero lease of Space Academy Awards for floating silently through space. How far Quest III, Sierra is computer games, Space behind has he left the evil Sludge? May­ once again pushing Quest III would surely be hours. Perhaps years. All we know is back the envelope walk away with one for that Roger's spaceboat has been picked (though not in the effective use of sound. up by a robotic garbage transport. Only same style as with In previous animated quick thinking will keep him from being Leisure Suit Larry, adventures, back­ reincarnated (or should that be recy­ which pushed back ground music has al­ cled?) as a soda can. the plain brown en­ ways been restricted velope). This time from screen to screen. Roger Wilco to the Rescue they even recruited This was used effec- The ultimate objective is to save Scott Bob Siebenberg of IBM version tively in Kings Quest IV Murphy and Mark Crowe, those illustri­ the rock group Super­ by giving each inhabitant his own little ous "Two Guys from Andromeda," who tramp to write the soundtrack. theme song. In PiratesofPestl4wn this have been kidnapped by Scumsoft and As with the other games made with has been taken a step further. Whole are­ forced to write inferior computer games. the new Sierra Creative Interpreter, the as now have melodies that play uninter­ But fIrst you will need to retreat from the graphics are wonderful: bright and crisp, rupted as you cross from screen to roving recycler, tear apart the terrifying revealing more detail than ever before screen, adding to the feeling that you are terminator, squelch the scurrying scorpa­ and offering beautiful close-ups that add actually participating in a movie. zoid and prevail over the perilous pirates the kind of depth we could only dream of All of the enhanced music cards sound of Pestulon (a take-off on the Pirates of until now. In addition to maintaining excellent with this game, but the Roland Penzance). Sierra's high standards of graphic excel­ is truly in a class by itself. With eight Space Quest III is not quite as linear a lence, Pirates ofPestulon adds a new di­ parallel synthesizers, 32 voices and a game as its predecessors. You are com­ mension in detail. Several new video Midi interface, the MT-32 has always mitted to the fIrst and last scenes once effects involving tricky manipulation of been considered a serious musicians' you start light and perspec­ tool, but its impact as a sound effects them, but Type: Animated SF Adventure tive were intro­ generator only becomes apparent in Pi­ the middle Systems: 512K required (640 on the PC duced. When rates ofPestulon. part of the Roger walks into During this review, I played the game game is JR & Tandy; 8 MHz or faster processor and hard drive recommended); supports an area that's deep more flexi­ in shadow, his col­ Continued on page seven ble. Once CGA, EGA, MCGA, TGA, Hercules & or darkens. When you get PCjr graphics, Ad Lib, IBM & Roland he walks under di­ into space, MT-32 music boards rect lighting, he Inventory several 10- Planned conversions: GS, Amiga, ST, brightens (of cations be­ Mac, Apple IT (128K) course, he wasn't rrlie llsurper...... l come Version reviewed: IBM (on a Tandy) that bright to begin accessible, with!). In some are- Space Qyest III...... 3 and you as, he even casts can fly back and forth between them as his own shadow against the wall. j[iflsfar...... 4 you like. You will have a bit of trouble While operating the fork lift, Roger's War in MItft£!e 'Eartli .... 6 walking around on Ortega before acquir­ fIgure grows smaller or larger as he ing some kind of thermal protection, but moves toward or away from the viewer. WafKiliru: you can go there, nonetheless. This effect is particularly dramatic on the planet Phleebhutt (who thinks up these :;:-ISJ-f...... 8 A Video Renaissance names anyway?), where he struggles (juan[ians of Infinity: The Pirates ofPestulon is also not across sand dunes in several areas. nearly as puzzle-intensive as most of the tTo Save 1(g.nnetfy ...... l0 Sierra line-but what it lacks in riddles, Some Sound Device rrlie Last 9fjnja II...... 11 it makes up for in sheer magnifIcence of By now most people are aware of the special effects. I have to admit I've been recent strides in enhanced sound. Tradi­ Waiting fOT 'lJuffy ...... 13 slightly disappointed with the games af­ tionally, only the stock one-voice and the 1(g.ys to tIie 1(jngtfoms ... 14 ter Kings Quest IV. Rosella's perils were three-voice Tandy had been harnessed in an especially tough act to follow. Don't Sierra's adventure. In four of the last fIve Swap Sfiop ...... 15 get me wrong: the others were excellent, games, the Ad-Lib, IBM, and Roland MT-32 music boards were supported. By Stephen King Sierra has now increased this to include Hillsfar: it takes a Thief (or a lot of Knock Rings)

Just across the Moonsea from Phlan, site Don't dawdle in your explorations, and you've just stolen, then toss you out. No of the Pool ofRadiance scenario,lies the be ready to punch that pause button: one real combat occurs in these phases; that city of Hillsfar. Originally built by the real minute equals one game hour, and is, the guards can hit you, but all you can Elves, Hillsfar is now ruled by Merchant­ shops are only open during certain hours. do is run. Basically, maze-marauding Mage Maalthir and patrolled by the Red (Try to enter when a place is closed, and here is like one of those contests in which Plume Guards. The quests that await your you'll wind up in a regular maze instead you get to run amok in a supermarket, solitary character depend on his or her of the shop.) Fortunately, the manual lists grabbing as much food as possible before class: Cleric, Fighter, Magic-user or each building's hours. At the same time, the buzzer goes off. Thief. Each class has three different this provides a convenient list of the ....______..... ______eighteen locations in quests to Into the Arena complete, so Type: Action Adventure town, from the Haunt­ Sometimes, however, the guards throw you really Systems: C 64 ed Mansion and Tem- you into the Arena, where you'll fight get a dozen mM A 1 pie of Tempus, to the gladiator-style battles against Orcs and Planned conversions: , pp e, Book Store and Bank. other fiends. My first time in the Arena quests in Amiga Hillsfar. These sites are num­ was easy: 1 slew Lefty the Left-handed The man­ Version reviewed: C 64 bered on a map on Orc with three bashes over the head with ual doesn't ....------... back of the manual, so a pole, and never even read the manual's state the exact number of quests, which all you have to do is visit and identify combat section. After getting wiped out perhaps was not finalized when the docs them. Of course, all the mazes aren't by the Red Minotaur the next time out, went to press. There is no ultimate con­ marked on the map. however, 1 decided a quick glance at the frontation with Maalthir or anyone else, The action isn't limited to the city lim­ docs wouldn't hurt! another variation from the standard "wiz­ its, for you can consult a Disneyesque Combat moves include tactics such as ards and warriors" scenario. map in the manual for locations of a ship­ "attack left," "block right and "special at­ From the moment you ride in on a gal­ wreck, trading post and other local attrac­ tack." You can use the joystick or key­ loping white charger, action is the key tions. When you leave town, the aerial­ bOard on the 64 version, only the keys on word. As the landscape scrolls past, view map reveals several roads from the ffiM. (If you're having trouble, spe­ you'll be leaping fences and bales of hay, which to choose before setting out. These cific combat clues for the Arena are free­ dodging arrows and other dangers in your may lead to more mazes or NPC ly dispersed in one of the Pubs.) mad dash for the city gates. You can lose interactions. Another test of hand/eye-coordination hit points when you fall off the horse, but is found at Tanna's Target won't die this way (so don't use a Heal­ Once a Range, where you can rent ing Potion right before you hit the road; Thief.. · and practice with ranged wait till you reach your destination). As a Thief, my weapons such as slings, Your first goal in town will be to fmd initial mission daggers, arrows and magic the appropriate Guild so the Guild Master was to find the ••• wands. Competitive can assign your first quest. (Copy protec­ poisonous fungus, events give you a shot at tion consists of a codewheel required in hidden in a winning gold as well as order to talk to the Master.) Here you maze, as are most improving your weapon may also rest and tend to class-related ac­ the various skills. tivities, such as getting a Thiefs lock­ quests'tangible picks repaired. Guild actions and NPC objectives. Shown Character Creation interactions are conducted via simple me­ from an oblique The Arena (IBM version) You can import a char­ nus or YIN options. angle view, each lab- acter from Pool or Azure yrinth is filled with treasure chests, tele­ Bonds (which would be a real trick right A Walking Tour of Hillsfar ports and guards. Though this recalls now, since Bonds has yet to be released). Then it's out on the town. When you Gauntlet and other action adventures, sev­ Though you can't move the character turn, you see a 3-D picture of a building eral aspects of dungeon-delving in Hills­ back from Hillsfar to Pool, it will be pos­ or wall on the left (reminiscent of Alter­ far distinguish its mazes from others. sible to move one back to Azure Bonds. nate Reality's graphics) and its name (if it Each time you enter a labyrinth, your en­ As usual, many items won't be trans­ has one). On the right, the main map try point is randomized, making it harder ferred, but in Hillsfar you also lose your appears. to map. And you can't exit through the magic spells. The manual says there's a Encounters with locals often lead to entrance. After awhile, a message alerts way to transfer magical items, with your clues, gold and useful items. These are you that the exit is now available, but it.'s improved character, from Hillsfar to all-text affairs in which you usually type up to you to find the randomized location. Bonds. (I couldn't try any transfers, since YIN in response to a question. The text On top of these obstacles, you're also my entire Pool party committed suicide messages displayed during encounters of­ facing a time limit. A horizontal bar di­ when they realized how long the combat ten disappear before you have time to minishes as time runs out. When that hap­ sequences took!) make notes. That's no problem, though, pens, the guards grab you and the loot Those who wish to create their own for by punching the "R" key, you can re­ character may choose from the standard call the last clue for review. By Shay Addams Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Half-Elf, Halfling

4 QuestBusters and Human races but only from four ever, remains the most cost-effective way of game-saving was probably used to classes: Cleric, Fighter, Magic-user and to penetrate the dungeons. make it harder for novices to rely on fre­ Thief. Non-humans can combine classes. I was frustrated by the lockpicking quent saves, but those are exactly the Alignment and Ability scores (attributes) business for the first day or so, but grew players who need such security. range from 3-19, and you can punch a encouraged as my lockpicking skills ad­ I quickly grew tired of those long key to reroll them until satisfIed. Finally, vanced with practice (too bad they didn't rides, especially after I'd roamed far from you choose an alignment and a name. include a training area for lockpicking, Camp, and had to make several trips, You can't train up a level or improve like the Target Prac­ from one site to the attributes such as Strength in this game, tice sequence). When next and fmaUy to which limits its value in building up a possible, I relied on a Camp so I could save character, though you will earn experi­ Knock Ring to open my game. The design­ ence points and some gold and items that locks with more than ers should had at least your character may retain when trans­ four tumblers, be­ put several Camps ferred into another A D & D game. cause there's also a around the outdoors time limit on this test: maps to cut down on Taking a Tumble a fuse bums down to all the riding back In conventional RPGs, a Thief's abili­ remind you time is and forth. (A Teleport ty hinges on his lockpick skill and Dex­ running out (and the spell would have terity attribute. Here it depends on your pause feature is disa­ been even bener!) lockpick skills,which will be sharpened bled here, though it In the maze Aside from that, considerably by the time you complete works in the mazes). You might Westwood did a smooth job of the game. Instead of "using lockpick" and also resort to sheer physical force to bust design and implementation here; even the waiting for the program to roll its internal down a door, provided your character is manual excels, with an abundance of col­ dice, you're treated to a picture of a lock strong enough. or and a prolific history of the local with several tumblers, each with a dis­ When I played out the Mage role, I myths and history of the Elven Court (a tinct panern matched by one of the was sent out to find a giant squid to make lot like People' sCourt, but with a much lockpicks seen at the bottom of the ink for the Guild Master's next scroll. shorter judge). There's also refreshing va­ screen. Upon actually finding it (by relying on riety in the patterns in the walls of the To pick the lock, you must match each the old "blunder around in the maze till mazes, the animation and sound effects tumbler with the correct pick, one-by­ you bump into something useful" tech­ are fine, and the game runs briskly (in one. Try the wrong pick, and it might nique) I wasn't too surprised to learn I RAM most of the time) on the 64. The break or jam the tumbler. With joystick had to visit another dungeon for the next IBM version will support a hard disk. A or cursor keys, you choose a pick, whose piece of the puzzle. $7.95 cluebook was just released. shape then appears beside the lock. If it The joystick's movements vary with Conclusions: SSI calls this an action looks right, you the situation. While adventure, but it involves more mini­ punch the button to riding, for example, quests and RPG-related activities than use it pushing the stick left I've seen in most such games, which are This is easily the slows down the horse usually "shoot-'em-up-in-a-maze" games most authentic lock­ and the button fIres like Gauntlet. With Hillsfar, Times of picking puzzle I've your Rod of Blasting. Lore and Prophecy, the action adventure seen, and I've seen But in town, pushing it is evolving and mutating faster than other most of them. You left turns you in that di­ adventure styles, and may represent yet won't always have rection, and the button another "wave of the future," if you're all the right picks, produces a search of ready for that cliche again. I wouldn't and may have to use the area. In some cases, recommend playing Hillsfar just to im­ force or other means you'll choose options prove your existing A D & D characters, to open a lock. If a Lockplcklng from a menu, and combat options or for gamers who thrive on elaborate pick is broken because you tried and a few other commands are ex­ combat and magic systems and intricate it on the wrong tumbler, it can't be used ecuted from the keyboard. puzzles. But one of the game's strong until repaired. And some locks are also points is that the puzzles are simple and booby-trapped to go off if the wrong pick A Saddle-sore Save Feature clues are plentiful, so you won't short­ is inserted. The game's biggest drawback is that it circuit any synapses while questing the You don't have to be a Thief. Enter forces you to ride all the way back to night away. So for some lightweight en­ Hillsfar as a Mage or other non-Thief, Camp to save your progress. Then to tertainment, Hillsfar is just what the Med­ and NPCs will randomly offer to assist continue playing, you've got to ride back icine Man ordered. I really don't even your efforts (for half the recovered gold). to town or another area. Once I got hit by like action adventures, but enjoyed this But the NPC won't pick the locks, for his robbers and lost half my stuff. But since one; hard-core Ore-slayers may fmd it a presence merely allows you to use his the next screen sent me directly to Camp, good time-killer while awaiting their next picks. (Just like in real life, you do all the where I couldn't inspect my character to major expedition into the unknown. work, and someone else gets half the see which items had been stolen, I didn't pay!) Locks may also be opened magical­ know whether to go ahead and save--or Skill level: Novice ly: a Knock ring or Chime of Opening ride all the way back to town to survey Protection: Codewheel will do the trick. Mastering the knack of my inventory (icons show the number of Price: $39.95 matching the picks to the tumblers, how- Rings, Potions and so on). This method Company: Westwood/SSI • armies don't always move in straight lines, often wandering zigzag toward War In Middle Earth their goal, sometimes even wandering off somewhere else. Unlike in the animation You all know the story. There is this ing inexorably from left to right in a natu­ mode, they're affected by terrain features ral walking motion; the different gaits short fellow named Frodo, a Hobbit who in tactical mode; rivers, for example, can Hobbits, Elves, Nazghul and many other inherits a magic ring from his eccentric be crossed only at bridges and fords. beings are clearly shown, quite an impres­ uncle Bilbo. This gets him an all­ In strategic mode, you view a beautiful expenses paid tour of Middle Earth, sive feat of programming. Characters map of the land, where all the good forc­ (there are more than in walk at dif­ where he runs into tall Men, sturdy 80 all) es and locations are seen in blue, the evil ferent speeds Dwarves, lissome Elves, ancient Wizards in red. Characters and ar­ and may pull and nasty Orcs. In the game you play mies blink on and off. In Frodo, and if you can keep him alive long ahead or fall be­ this mode you can save and enough, later on you'll assume the roles hind others. restart games and view the of Gandalf, Aragom and a host of others. Larger troops big picture at a glance. It's The program handles the role of the evil are depicted with also a way to pause the ac­ Sauron and his pack of monsters that a few characters, tion, for time doesn't pass want only to kill you and steal the One such as 200 here. Ring of Power. There's a built-in time horsemen repre­ The program runs at line to the story, adapted from J. R. R. sented by fIve. Normal, Hasty or Very Tolkien'sLord of the Rings trilogy. If Having a lot of Hasty speed, and you can characters on- your actions don't set events moving in play an entire game in one direction, the passage of a certain screen at once IBM version three-four hours at Hasty. date on the game's calendar triggers makes it hard to do things them. Come January, Sauron's armies like take or transfer objects from one Don't Take a Number, Please will be on the march. character to another. To tell Frodo to pick The game encourages true role-playing The game is aimed at Tolkien fanatics up something, you've got to click the by hiding the numerical values of the at­ like myself, but should have broad appeal mouse on him, then on the Use Object tributes, and even their names, from you. to all sorts of gamers, for it combines icon in the upper-right comer-but you This may hint at a new trend in role­ many of the best features of several gen­ can't click on Frodo if there's a horse in playing-away from the mathematical res: role-playing (you take the part of var­ front of him. And once all characters have model of Dungeons and Dragons and to­ ious characters), graphic adventures walked completely across a screen, you ward a non-quantifIable model of life in (object manipulation and lots of animat­ can't just turn around and go back to it. which you have to go on estimates and ed pictures as you proceed to solve a You may revisit a place, but must do so how things "feel." Other recent games us­ long-range goal) and strategy wargaming by switching to one of the map modes. ing hidden attributes include Journey, (maneuvering armies and directing their "Puzzles" consist of obtaining objects Neuromancer and Times of Lore. As one battles). Indeed, the wargame is fascinat­ that affect your character's success in bat- of the creators of the old-style, numbers­ ing in itself, as you tle, so the prob­ oriented role-playing weltanschaung, I mobilize widely lem-solving side rather like knowing that my Strength is dispersed forces to Type: Hybrid (Graphic Adventure/ of the game is Strategy-War) 32, but can certainly see how the reality counter the enemy overshadowed of the gameworld is enhanced when you troops. For a more Systems: ST, Amiga, GS, IBM (three by its war game never have to stop and worry about the challenging game, versions in individual boxes: EGA or aspects. mathematics of a situation. try to win by de­ Tandy, 384K required; CGA, 256K; In addition to The game's creators even expanded feating Sauron's 3.5" MCGA version, 512K) walking, charac­ Tolkien's world by adding new lore to forces without ters can do bat­ the legend in the form of original artifacts throwing the Ring Planned conversions: C 64 (June?) tIe, in which Version reviewed: Amiga such as the Scepter of Annuminas. Dur­ into Mount Doom. they line up and ing combat, meaningful choices-do you During the make lunging charge, withdraw, or completely re­ game you can switch among three modes: motions with sword or dagger, or they treat?-are required. When it looks like animation, tactical and strategic. The fIrst can sit or lie down, usually beside a camp you'll win the battle, it doesn't matter if is like Sierra's animated adventures, fIre. (It's a wonder Frodo and his pals the Ringbearer is slain, since someone showing characters as they walk, talk, haven't burned all of Middle Earth to cin­ else can carry the Ring. But if you're los­ fIght and gather or discard objects such as ders, since they never douse the fIre when ing, get Frodo out of there in a hurry, or Elven blades and mithril armor. Each they leave camp.) , it's allover. scene is unique, and the programmers It might take weeks or months to fmish Another strong point is that the game's created a very impressive tour of Middle the game in this mode, but luckily you abundance of possibilities give it extra re­ Earth, especially for a nature buff who can jump to tactical mode. Here all char­ play value. After learning to beat the Sor­ appreciates crystal-clear streams, lofty acters and armies are represented by cerer Lord in PSS' s game of that name, mountains and sunlit meadows. Sound ef­ counters moving on a map, and things the game lost much of its appeal. But fects and characters' voices are not digi­ happen a lot faster. Forests, rivers and War in Middle Earth offers lots of other tized, which was a good move, other features are shown in a realistic top­ courses of action after you've won it one considering the poor quality of the Ami­ down view on a scrolling, 36-screen map way. ga's speech synthesis. unveiling all of.Middle Earth. Here you Animation consists of characters mov- mainly make movement decisions by Lakes in the Sky? clicking on a unit and a destination. I'd like to say the game's perfect, but By Ken St. Andre Frustratingly enough, characters and an apparent bug in the Amiga version oc-

6 QuestBusters casionally causes duplicate images on the which you direct your troop's actions. Death has also been personalized. screen,and weirds out the graphics: lakes Conclusions: There's a lot to like There have always been lots of ways to and mountains floating in the sky, etc. about this game, which is incredibly expire in Sierra adventures, but only a Another time my pointer turned into a faithful to the spirit of Tolkien' s Lord of single message was displayed afterwards. brush and really messed up the picture. the Rings trilogy, including every major PiratesofPestulon has almost as many The mouse action grew difficult and character. Visually it's stunning in every different messages as there are ways of more imprecise as the game went on mode, and the soundtrack is awesome­ getting killed. It has gotten to the point (since I roll it about on a less then even some of the best computer music I've where it's almost as fun getting extermi­ surface), and I'd rather have used a joy­ heard in a game. I also like the ability to nated as it is playing the rest of the game. stick-an option not available on the play "what if' with the events of the nov­ Amiga version. All versions support key­ el, such as what might have happened Purina Snake Chow indeed! board and mouse controls, but only the had Frodo chosen not to visit Rivendell Control of the central character is, as IBM also lets you use a joystick. and plunged south into Mordor alone. usual, accomplished with the keypad or Most seriously, the keyboard will You can try to keep your actions faithful joystick. For the more adventurous eventually lock up during lengthy ses­ to those in Tolkien's prose, but will flnd players, mice are supported. If you select sions, leaving you unable to do anything this difflcult to accomplish, unlike in the appropriate drivers during the install for thirty minutes or so. That's why I ad­ many adaptations that lock you into the sequence, you can use all three modes vise saving frequently after your flrst two novel's plot whether you like it or not. (depending on your mood and situation). hours of play. (At least the game never Considering the game's many excellent The parser is the enhanced version that crashed completely.) aspects, my objections are really minor. has been used in all the newest Sierra ad­ Perhaps I want too much, but there War in Middle Earth has a certain appeal ventures. It is much stronger on syno­ were a few design decisions I would have for wargamers, but Tolkien fans will fmd nyms and understands the pronoun "IT" made, all in animation mode. I don't see it most fascinating. For these gamers I in limited situations, but is somewhat why every scene had to be outdoors and give it my highest recommendation. weak on multiple directives. aboveground, since the same technique The only part that I had trouble with that led to variable terrain backgrounds of Skill Level: Introductory was the Astro Chicken arcade game. For mountains and forests could have been Protection: Keyword some reason, I just could not control the used to create backgrounds for interiors Price: $49.99 chicken. After intense frustration, Ifinal­ of buildings, caves or even city streets. Company: Melbourne Housel ly developed the knack and had no fur­ Maybe it was due to lack of disk space, Mastertronic ther problems. I do take minor exception since the two disks were already packed to the cryptography sequence at the end full, but I wouldn't have minded swap­ of the game. It is a severe strain on the ping out disk two for a disk three if I'd Space Quest III eyes to try and decode characters dis­ Continued from page three been able to explore Moria's interior. played on a video screen. That's a design decision, however, and all the way through in three different This sequence is not really necessary I'm not criticizing, just wishing. sound modes. First with the stock one­ to complete the game, but since you Also, the characters you meet usually channel voice, then with the Ad-Lib mu­ would not otherwise flnd out what your spout worthless trivia instead of really sic synthesizer and flnally with the MT- mission is, Space Quest III doesn't seem solid advice or clues. What good does it 32. I tried the CMS board using the older complete if you bypass it. Such puzzles do to learn that the Scepter of Annuminas driver, but an incompatibility problem should be restricted to an extra point situ­ has washed ashore in Arnor, when all froze the game right after the opening. ation, so people could avoid them if they your characters are in Lorien and you'd Aside from the clearly superior music, wished. have to recross half the world to Find it, it was soon apparent I was hearing things PiratesofPestulon comes with six then take it to Dale before it would be of with the MT- 32 that otherwise simply 5.25" and three 3.5" disks. I played on a any use? I'd rather hear the Lady ofLori­ weren't there. An extremely life-like 4.77 MHz PC- Clone and found the ac­ en quote something from the novel and desert wind could be heard on the planet tion to be slow, but fast enough to be present her Elven gifts than listen to a Phleebhut. Ortega had the creaking and worth playing if I didn't have a faster PC. clue for flnding an object that mayor rumbling of volcanic activity and settling Many people will be happy to hear that may not exist (yes, there are red her­ earth. I counted 14 different special copy protection has been completely rings). By the time she flnishes talking sound effects heard solely on the Roland, done away with on this game. No key and your party starts moving, it's hard to from cheering/whistling crowds, to the disk, no key word and no hidden flIes. pick up the rope, cloak and light before clackety clack of typewriters and the ring Whether or not this practice continues the gang leaves the screen. of telephones in Scumsoft's offices. probably relies on how many copies are The 46-page manual summarizes the sold as opposed to stolen. story and includes a marvelous glossary Are we having fun? Conclusions: Space Quest III is pure of all people, places and things in Middle Of course no Space Quest would be entertainment: graphics are faultless, the Earth. Copy protection in built into a two complete without the offbeat humor of music is better than ever before and the by three foot parchment map. Two-thirds those ubiquitous Two Guys. As you walk story-from the mugging by the giant of the way through each game, you have through the game, keep a close eye on the New York-style rat right up to the sur­ consult the map for the coordinates of a background, you might see some familiar prise ending-is a riot. place, then type them in. old friends .. .like one of Wile E. Coyote's Due to memory limitations, the C 64 old Acme rockets, or the now defunct Ju­ Skill Level: Intermediate game will be a radically different version, piter II from Lost in Space. Speaking of Protection: None so I'll review it separately when it ar­ space, didn't that vessel at the burger Price: $59.95 rives. Mastertronic says there is no ani­ joint look familiar? It sure headed out of Company: Sierra mation mode in the C 64 version. Instead, there in a hurry! Probably going where no you get a different kind of battle mode in man has gone before.

QuestBusters 7 Walkthrough:Magnetic Scroll's FISH

The Goldfish Bowl Turn switch. Open wooden door. S Get S SE E S Buy ears plugs with fisa. N. Uvso pwfs. Enter castle. Enter smooth bin. N. Open secondary door. N. Close . E. Buy hyperdriver, screwdriver and bag warp. door. Push button. Open cupboard. Get with fisa. W. N. Buy fish ton with fisa. S. head cleaner. Play head cleaner in cas­ W. NW. NW. D. (Wait for train.) Enter Smooth Warp sette player. Tfu gbefs to gjwf. Play train. Wait (3). Exit train SE. SE. E. Pick up bird cage. W. Open tapes in cassette player. (Write down bird cage. Drop bird cage. W. NW. N. three-number combination.) Open door. Opah University: The Protocopier (Wait for Micky to leave.) Pick upejtd. S. E. E. Open door. N. Examine cabinet. & the Computer S. SE. E. Get mould. E. Open cupboard. U. E. S. Buy sachet with fisa. N. E. S. E. Getcruci­ r------~------~------~S.Turntopage ble, tongs, 321. Tear page. gloves and E. Put id in slot. ibnnfs. A Dim Cool E. SE. Put page Clearing -- GI Wear Forest ade in slot. Turn gloves. I X I X I FISH switch off. Get Hold cruci- glass box. NW. Gloomy ble with Dank Wet Sit down. Lo­ 1smOOilir - Forest tongs. Put warp Forest - Forest gin. Spbdi. , B disc in cru­ , , , )( , }c; I Me.Com­ cible. Hold , , mands. Games. , Charred Dark Outside crucible , Smithy Shutdown. - Glade r- Forest - Smithy - over fire. , , I:dmArch 1 (Note name of Pour gold " Shutdown's into Ante- owner.) Quit. Back C F Ruined , mould. W. 1 Cudl---+--1 1- of Van Irransept chamber Logout. Get up. W.NW. J~~ NE. Drop box NE.E. " L-...... , ..... I I and hyperdriv­ (Wait for " er. SW. Put id - "" , D Cab Dark Narrow Outside Cata­ mould to of Van I- Field .... Track - Abbey - Abbey in slot. W (5). combs cool.) Fish D. Wait for Break Bowl I train. Enter mould with train. Wait (3). J Secondary K Office I Ruined ~ hammer. Control Nave Exit train. Get ring. ~ Enter I IH E G Eelpout jagged Plush Entry U.NW.W.W. Corrido Hall warp. ~ - Lounge - Hall Buy mask with fisa. Give mask I Jagged to drunk. Ask Warp I Store ~ drunk for card. Get jeans. Buy mask with Wear ~ fisa. Give mask I jeans. S. I to (anyone but ~ ______~------.~ ______~ ______~ yoursem.Buy Tfbsdi svccjti. mask with fisa. Get torch. Turn torch on. E (4). S. Get Set lock to (use all three numbers of Buy cylinder with fisa. Give mask to pew. Turn off torch. N. N. Turn on torch. combination from above: 152, for exam­ (anyone but yourself). E. E. SE. D. Wait Drop pew. D. S. Yes. Tfbsdi efcsjt. ple, not I, 5, 2.) Open cabinet. Get spin­ for train. Enter train. Wait. Exit train. Move lid. D. Get cord. U. N. U. Get on dle. Enter large warp. pew. Climb arch. Ujf dpse to gargoyle. The Museum D. Pull dpse. Get gargoyle. D. S. D. Re­ Paddlington U. N. N. Open sachet. N. Get crystal. S move dpse from gargoyle. Put gargoyle Look under Fishton. Get pass and fisho­ (3). D. Wait for train. Enter train. Wait. in hole. Get chalice. Enter jagged warp. fax. Examine fishofax. Put hand on print. Exit train. Get tee-shirt, jeans and torch. Wear tee­ S. D. S. E. D. (Wait for train.) Enter shirt and jeans. S. E (4). N. D. S. D. Look train. Wait (3). Exit train. Paddlington: The Dark Warp in chalice. Get grommet. Enter small U. W. N. U. Get case. N. Drop all. (Save warp. Pickerel game.) Enter dark warp. (This puzzle's U. SE. N. Buy tie and glasses with fisa. solution is randomized. The object is to Small Warp eliminate all possible directions except Spe, nblf some coffee. Get tape. W. W. By Paul Shaffer up, which appears every other move. You eliminate direc­ tions by choosing di­ rections in-between, Im=-1 IE~bitl3Roan such as NE when your options are N, ~ I NE and N. A repre­ sentative puzzle: Op­ Iwupu~el- I tions are N, NE, SE, I I I SW,W.Go I Fishton I I SE.Options: N, NE, I I I S, SW, W, U. Go I SW. Options: N, NE, ! From E. Go NE. Option: U. Castle in Get cylinder. U. Get F'1shBowl all. Turn off switch. S. D. S. E. D. Wait for train. Enter train. Wait (3). Exit train. 5 Pickerel U. SE. S. Ask (owner of Shutdown; he's I ~e HTunncl~- usually here, but you may have to go look­ ing for him) about ejtdp. N. NW. D. Wait for train. Enter train. Wait Exit train. T

Battersea U. N. Drop fishofax. Pull switch. W. W. Unscrew screw with screwdriver. E. E. S. Cell-2, Value-12 NNPJB D. Wait for train. Enter train. Wait Exit K: cabinet (spindle) Cell-2, Value-13 OAQJB train. L: travel pass, fishofax Cell-4, Value-17 OATAE M: tie, sunglasses Cell-5, Value-13 SATER Opah University: the Spy & the N: earplugs Cell-I, Value-4 WATER Photo Bridge 0: cylinder Quit. Logout. Get up. U. E. Give tie to (owner of Shutdown). P: hyperdriver, screwdriver, bag N. E. Put id in slot. N. Put dsztubm in Q: accelerator (10k screw) The Project Room tuna. Close tuna. Turn tuna on. Open R: sachet NE. Break glass box with tdsfxesjwfs. tuna. Drop screw. Get crystal. U. Fill bag S: crystal tuna Drop tdsfxesjwfs. Get wheel. Attach with gas. Open bag. Get bridge. Climb T: protocopier (glass box) csjehf to crystal. Attach gjmufs to railings. E (3). Put id in slot. E. NE. Drop 1: radio case wheel. Attach gpdvt gjmufs to crystal cylinder and bag. Get hyperdriver. Turn 2: book (page/wheel) bridge. Attach crystal filter to case. Turn 10k screw with hyperdriver. (Note pass­ 3: crystal 10k screw with izq fsesjwfs. Get accel­ word.) SW. (Save game.) Sit down. Lo­ 4: photon bridge gin. (Give surname of Shutdown's owner erator. Put sfhvmbups in device. Screw 5: filter regulator to device with 10k screw. and his password.) Games. Shutdown. . Key Shutdown Map Walkthroughs A: disc Another randomized puzzle, this one's B: bird cage (mould), gloves, cupboard Wanted object is to advance each letter forward in (crucible, tongs, hammer) the alphabet to spell water. When you ad­ We already have solutions for C: jeans (tee-shirt) Jour­ vance the first letter, or cell, it has no ef­ ney and Space Quest II (plus all pre­ D: torch fect on the other columns. When you ceeding Sierra games), but are still E: pew advance the second cell, it advances the seeking walkthroughs and maps for F: gargoyle frrst and third columns by one letter val­ Shogun, Hillsfar, Might & !t1agic II G: cord, chalice (grommet) ue. The third cell advances the second and Wizardry V. Please wnte frrst be­ H: waste bin (tape) fore sending your solution, c/o the and fourth columns by two letters, and so I: tape bin (tapes) Guild Master. on. J: cupboard (head cleaner) Sample: Starting position MBOJB

QuestBusters 9 Guardians of Infinity: To Save Kennedy The year is Z087, and the world is head­ from 2087 in progress. In a few moments, To ; be iair, it will be quite a while be­ ed for certain disaster. Ok, let's not be you are notified by the computer that fore a computer will be able to respond mealymouthed about it It isn't just the you've reached your destination: Friday, naturally all the time in English, and this world that's in trouble-the entire uni­ November 15th, 1963, at 8:00 AM Cen­ simulation does hold up well under most verse is on a path to complete tral time. As Adam, you have one week circumstances. Restrain yourself a bit destruction! to direct your five-person crew to success and only use words the game clearly un­ It all began in the latter half of the or failure. derstands, and you should have very little 21st Century, when certain temporal You must decide where they need to trouble. anomalies started to appear. At frrst it go and who is most important to see in was only random inanimate objects, like the limited time available. Additionally, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly an 18th Century horse trough that materi­ you must choose which of your people to Like everything else Paragon has done alized for a few seconds and then quickly send. This can be critical, since one per­ so far, Guardians ofInfinity is unique. As disappeared. As the century draws to a son may be able to accomplish a given far as I know, there is no other computer close, however, this phenomenon has ac­ mission no one else can. You will only game even remotely like it. The closest celerated at an alarming rate, becoming leave the ship if you successfully arrange thing I can think of is Infocom's Sus­ increasingly dangerous at the same time. a meeting with the President to discuss pended, in which you direct the actions It's gotten to the point where an entire his imminent demise. of several robots. barbarian horde might appear in a hospi­ The crew includes Carl Czernak (your Since all the crew members are very tal lobby and butcher everyone in sight partner), Bridgette Cooper, William limited, this game should be far less chal­ before vanishing back in time. Stein, Iris Steel and Alex Blue. Each is a lenging than Suspended. But because the specialist Alex is a diplomat who is used list of people you have to potentially deal My Man Adam to dealing with very touchy situations. with is so huge, Guardians has a "needle Enter Adam Cooper, a man with the Stein is an eminent history professor and in the haystack" quality that may make intelligence of Albert Einstein, the grim direct heir of Kennedy. Bridgette has a B. solving it impossible for all but avid fans. determination of John Wayne and the A. in history and is a specialist in the Six­ My first complaint is that the player cool self-confidence of Oliver North. ties. Perhaps the most interesting person­ actions are far too repetitive. Aside from Adam has the potential to be a true hero ality is Iris Steel, an extremely capable keeping up with the local news, all you at a time when the universe needs one mercenary whose loyalty to her employer do is tell the crew to go different places the most. Then again, he might be a fa­ is legendary. at certain times. You are also expected to natical maniac willing to do whatever is do several days worth of readiI).g before necessary to further All Parsed you even start to play. In my experience, his cause. But of r------~------~Out it's like pulling teeth to get someone to course, that's the Type: All-text adventure Atfrrst read the most rudimentary instruction stuff heroes are Systems: IBM (512K required, glance, To Save sheet before playing a game. In this one, made of: the will­ eGA, EGA & Hercules) Kennedy seems you have to read a small novella to famil­ ingness to take Planned conversions: Mac (Dec/ almost unlimited iarize yourself with the personality traits chances another Jan) in scope, but it of your crew, then you have to study a man might consider Version reviewed: IBM soon becomes ISO-page mission manual that contains, insane. ______.....,~------apparent that it among other things, mini-biographies of Adam has devot­ isn't. Since you nearly 100 people. ed his life to the study of these temporal aren't exploring or picking up things, the History buffs or time travel fans might anomalies. Having come to the conclu­ parser doesn't need to get very complicat­ find such extravagant documentation ex­ sion that time itself will shatter within ed. You will primarily be directing the tremely interesting. Clearly, an awful lot the decade, he and his partner have creat­ crewmembcrs to go to specific places at of research was involved, and the books ed an "ark" to transfer themselves and a certain times to see the people you decide were obviously intended to be as much a team of specialists to the original point are the most important part of the game as the actual play time. of the temporal disturbance. Special The parser can handle compound mul­ There is an alternative for people who equipment has pinpointed 1963, the Ken­ tiple sentences, so conversations with the would rather wait for the movie. A "slide nedy assassination to be specific, as the crew will seem more natural. For the show" disk that roughly parallels the crucial moment in history. most part this succeeds, but occasionally novel offers several high resolution falls on its face. Several times I specifi­ EGNCGA pictures, along with some The Adventure Begins! cally told a character to go to a hotel in text to explain what's happening. The Guardians of Infinity is not your aver­ Washington D. C., only to have him ask graphics are very good, and the text cov­ age text adventure, for it deals with a if he was supposed to go to Fort Worth. ers key events in the booklet without go­ specific portion of our history. It also dif­ It is also not very big on synonyms. ing into extreme detail. fers in its attention to detail and strict ad­ Just for laughs, I tried to have Iris go kill If you examine the slide show and herence to real events in John Kennedy's Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas School­ read the few pages in the operations man­ life and the lives of his close associates book Depository where he worked. Since ual that refer to crew biographies, you during the week prior to his death. this is such an important place in the can probably get started with little trou­ The adventure begins with the trip Kennedy assassination, I figured the pro­ ble, but my gut feeling is that if you are gram would understand, but it required not the type of person to bother reading that I specify only his home, office or both books, you probably would not en­ By Stephen King hotel. joy this game anyway. Details, Details brook is contemplating starting a mail or­ play, how the different elements come to­ As I said earlier, the game is text­ der business." gether and the cross-over, in terms of the only, but color screens are included. consumer, from the hobby gamer to the Some people with monochrome systems Like a Rolling Cornerstone computer gamer. There's really a huge may have a bad time reading unfortunate When Infocom was originally sold to overlap, and I'm seeing a lot of old color combinations. Of course, if you Activision, two reasons were apparent, friends in a new light." want to view the slide show disk, CGA though only one was cited: Infocom Ybarra, who worked behind the scenes or EGA graphics will be necessary would benefit from Activision's "world­ producing Star Flight, Bard's Tale and (Tandy TGA is not supported). wide distribution;" according to then­ other RPGs for Electronic Arts until he Sounds are limited to one or two ef­ President Joel Berez. Industry rumor­ moved to Activision late last year, hinted fects that enhance the action. An interest­ mongers insisted Infocom had gone off at an even heavier emphasis on role­ ing telephone sound lets you know when the deep end with Cornerstone, an IBM playing games for Infocom: "We recently someone is trying to reach you on the data base with which they had hoped to hired Mike Moore, who was with Victory communicator. Two 5.25" disks are in­ crack the applications market (being in Games [a paper and pencil RPG outfit] cluded, plus the one for the slide show. the same building with Lotus seems to and editor and publisher of Aries Maga­ Paragon will send 3.5" disks on request. have affected their logical processes, zine, to help pioneer new game designs, Conclusions: Even though I'm an avid since Gravestone would have been a which reinforces Rob's observation on time travel fan, I have mixed feelings more appropriate name). the similarities between the traditional about this one. Personally, I didn't like The product line changed little after board game genre and computer games. it I do recognize however, that a lot of the Activision buy-out, until the 1988 de­ One of the things I found really fascinat­ tender loving care went into it To get an­ cision to do away with all-text games in ing, having worked with Michael Stack­ other opinion, I loaned my review copy favor of graphic adventures and role­ pole and Brian Fargo on Wasteland, is to a friend who is very interested in polit­ playing games. Activision had formerly that getting the board game guys more in­ ical history in general, and Kennedy spe­ marketed only a couple of graphic ad­ volved in the stuff we're doing on com­ cifically. He spent two weeks perusing ventures, like Interplay's Mindshadow. puters is a real boon to the design the material and planning his actions be­ For garners, the big question is not capabilities of where our genre is fore he even typed in his first command. where Infocom is located but how the headed." So far, he loves the game and feels it move will affect the games. Ybarra fore­ was written with only him in mind, but I sees that " ... you'll probably see a shift­ wonder if he'll ever finish it. The num­ ing in direction that's commensurate Adventure Hotline Continued from page two ber of details that you have to familiarize with which way the market is headed. If yourself with is truly staggering. Proba­ you look at all the successful products, bly many false starts will be made by they're graphics- and sound-intensive. ies of Gold) for exclusive rights to future anyone playing all the way through. The Products as a whole are pushing more to­ products from his Ozark Software (for­ merly with Electronic Arts). Microprose ultimate problem, of course, is that this ward role-playing than toward our clas­ sic adventure game. I think we'll be also picked up distribution for Paragon game will appeal to a severely limited Software, who left EA recently, but lost audience. Given the amount of work that building more hybrids that share ele­ ments of all these different genres. In Lucasfilm Games to EA after Lucasfilm must have been involved, I hope that changed their minds at the last second. group is large enough to make it payoff. particular, one of the areas I find most exciting is getting into more interactive graphics [similar to ICOM Simulations' ORIGIN Leaves Broderbund Skill Level: Advanced In one of the more genuinely amicable Protection: None Deja Vu] the idea of doing things that are object-oriented ... a cross between partings (the press releases always use Price: $44.95 that word when a company leaves one Company: Paragon/MicroProse Manhole and the Hypercard environment and our traditional object-oriented ZIL distributor for another), ORIGIN and environment. Broderbund announced at the Consumer "Since Rob is General Manager, I Electronics Show in Chicago that in July ORIGIN will be going completely on its won't be directly managing Infocom in Infocom Heads West own: " ... into the world offull-service Continued from page one the future. My role is vice president of software publishing," as ORIGIN's Presi­ entertainment software development, dent Robert Garriott summed it up. "Bro­ buy-out in the spring of 1986, apparently dealing with not only Infocom issues but derbund has one of the few affiliated turned down the chance to head west also all the computer software issues and label programs that truly helps a small "We're trying to negotiate with Me­ videogames. " company grow to a size where it can retzky and Lebling to do projects, and it's Sears, who joined Infocom about a stand on its own and enter the real not clear whether they'll stay with us," year ago, says he spent "eight or nine world." Broderbund' s Chairman of the Ybarra said, "but they won't be making years in the toy industry, working with Board Gary Carlston said "It's been re­ the trip to the West Coast. Actually that's Milton-Bradley and Coleco on strategy warding to have helped ORIGIN pursue been a problem for us, because there are and board games, that type of thing, as its growth, and it's exciting to see the several people we'd prefer to see go with well as the hand-held electronic games, company take this step." us, but who want to remain in the Boston and the Vectrex and Atari 2600. The fas­ area. cinating thing about coming to Infocom Six Free Issues of QB! "Elizabeth Langosey, who's been with from the toy industry," Sears elaborated, Do you know anyone else on the entire Infocom more than five years and is stay­ "is that there are so many similarities (in planet who plays adventures? Get them to ing in Boston, is developing a project for terms of game design), that get carried subscribe to QB-and mention your us. It's not clear where Lebling will end over from traditional archetypes in deter­ name when they do-and we'll add six up. Steve Meretzky will probably move mination of different dynamics in game- free issues to your sub (four if it's First on to other things, and Michael Dom- Continued on page thirteen

QuestBusters 11 ble path. In the streets, however, always only to run backwards-right into his make a mental note of your location as numchuckas. Ouch ... there goes another The Last Ninja II you go; otherwise, it's easy to get con- life! Ninja II picks up where the original story fused. (And never jaywalk: this is New I can't see why they even programmed left off, with one slight hitch. Though York, remember?) the character to run backwards at all, you still play the part of the last surviv- With a joystick, you control your since this ability hasn't come into play ing Ninja in your Brotherhood (the oth- character in a 3-D landscape shown from since I've been at it. I wished they had ers were wiped out in the first game), an oblique angle. This perspective gives programmed him to tum around instantly you're no longer in China. Instead, a feeling of depth to the picture, and also instead of going through all those posi­ you've followed the evil Samurai Arma- means you can walk into the rear of the tions. This would have been a great time­ kuni to a place more dangerous than your picture, somewhat like the Lucasfilm saver, not to mention a life-saver!. worst nightmare. adventures. If you can put up with the interface, the That's right-modem-day Manhattan, Though it's pleasant to graphics and where Armakuni's hated Ninja flunkies look at and realistic to a sound-which are are causing chaos in the streets. This degree, this turns picking the game's crown­ might have been an easy mop-up job, but up objects and conducting ing glory-may because you're also wearing a Ninja cos- combat into a real chore. make it all worth­ tume, the local police can't tell you from At these angles, it's hard while. The sights the bad guys. That means you have no al- to tell if you're properly of New York real­ lies in the Big Apple, my friend, and aligned to pick up some- ly come alive more than enough enemies. thing. Many times my on- (though unfortu­ The opening scene takes place in Cen- screen persona just nately most of tral Park, where you'll find the weapons bobbed up and down those sights also used in the rest of the game. None are while I struggled to grab killed me), and easy to locate, but in a fit of compassion, an item. And if you're not the 3-D effects, the designers left some clues in the in- correctly aligned during combat, you'll though they make it tough to maneuver, structions. Because items blink on and miss a lot of times-while your foe rocks are a treat for the eyes. . off when you enter a new location, most you to sleep (with real rocks). Animation, especially during combat, are easy to spot. This effect gives you no I also fell to my death often because I is exceptionally fluid: no jerky movement clue on how to use these things, so thank missed a ladder while climbing down. or flickering sprites at all. Heck, within God (or Buddha, as the case may be!) When jumping over obstacles, watch the border around the screen, a Ninja's that the designers gave us face-kickers where you land, or you'll wind up in real face stares at you while you play. During some help in the manual. trouble. These problems with the per- the game, I noticed he would wink and Most action ad- r------..&.------..... spective are an- blink at me. Extra touches like this make ventures.require all Type:Action Adventure noying to say the Ninja II fun to watch. the strategy of a solo Systems: C 64 least, for if you're There are no sound effects in the 64 Tic-Tac-Toe game, not right on the version, but you do hear different back­ but the puzzles in Planned Conversions: mM money in this ground music for each landscape. These this one are real game, you usually tunes add a touch of atmosphere to the skull-scratchers. There's more to Ninja II end up dead. After wasting countless scenario. As you charge through Central than just "shoot everything that moves moves trying to cross a stream, I just Park, for example, a heroic theme plays, and you'll win." Every object you find wanted my computer to shrug and say, and an eerie dirge fIlls the Sewers. serves a defmite purpose, and there are "Close enough." This never happened, of You can't save a game in progress on no red herrings. This was a good idea, course. Too bad the designers didn't plug the 64 version, but may do so on the since it's hard enough to figure out how in a "close-enough" subroutine. IBM. Why Commodore gamers must suf­ these things work without having to wor- When it comes to certain maneuvers, fer such a fate is harder to fathom than ry about stuff that has no bearing on the trial and error is the sole solution. After the game's interface is to figure out game. And if you try to beat everyone finally figuring out how to pass an obsta- Conclusions: A faithful sequel to the you meet, you'll just end up dead. As cle, make a note of it and practice, prac- original, Last Ninja II is filled with the Confucious said, "A hero who runs lives tice, practice. It's the only way I found to same excitement, adventure and special longer than a fool who fights." (What he contend with the interface and some of effects. But it's also bogged down by the forgot to mention is that the game will the movement puzzles. (But in the same interface and perspective problems. also last longer!) game's defense, Ninjas are supposed to Whatever you thought of the original, As you traverse New York's seven be light on their feet.) you'll probably feel the same way about levels, you'll tread its mean streets (com- When turning to face a new direction, the sequel. It's recommended for those plete with muggers), explore the famed you'll also face another irritating prob- who loved the first one, and I even rec­ sewers (complete with rats and a big alli- lem. Turning is accomplished by "roll- ommend it for people who didn't play the gator), climb down to a skyscraper's ing" the joystick in the direction you original but are willing to work through basement and up to a 50th floor office on want to face: to turn around 180 degrees, the puzzles and fight a bit with the joy­ your way to the Warlord's Mansion and you don't move the stick backwards as stick. The idea of a Ninja loose in Man­ the "Final Battle." Mapping won't be you might expect, for this makes him run hattan is intriguing. necessary, for the action is confined to . backwards. Instead, you must rotate the easily remembered areas, and most of the stick left or right twice. This is extremely Skill Level: Intermediate time you'll be following the only availa- hard to get used to. I frequently wanted Protection: Program to turn around to fight an enemy who Price: $34.95 was sneaking up on me from behind, Company: Activision ByTim Snider

12 QuestBusters Usurper won't always identify the problem. The parser accepts the pronoun "it," Waiting for Duffy Continued from page one but manages to get confused at times. Duffy's busy lighting Roman candles found in notes, the inscrutable utterings When I looked at a triangle and learned it with his brass lantern, so contact of a talking skull, and so on. To defeat was a "three-cornered polygon," I tried to these people if you can help. the Pirate, for example, you must note the "get it." But the parser wouldn't stand for clue in the note. A few puzzles are decep­ my greedy behavior, telling me "You tively difficult, and one of our other re­ can't get the steak." Bard 2-3: need maps and character­ viewers-who has turned in many a While the puzzles satisfy, there's not building tips. Jamie Squires, Rte 1, Box walkthrough for Infocom' s hardest enough text for an all-text game. Most 251, Mannington, WV 26582 games- got bogged down and complete­ disturbing are the brief, often curt de­ Wizardry 1: need maps, hints, etc. Mark ly stuck. scriptions of most items you'll examine: Oehlert, 5041 Bent Tree Loop, Stone Random encounters with the Pirate "Nice saber," it Mountain, CA 30083 may lead to your r------.....------.. told me when I death, and a Gar­ Type: All-text adventure examine the sa­ The Pawn: how do I make lever to get bage Lady pops in Systems: Apple (128K required), IBM ber. Inspec­ past boulder? Also need help with Guild now and then to (256K, both disk formats in same box) tions of other of Thieves. Erik Hom, 236 Elmira St, San steal something objects enlight­ Francisco, CA 94124 from you (as did Planned conversions: None ened me with the Thief in Zork I Version reviewed: Apple revelations Corruption: need help in hospital & with and the Pirate in ....------,...------...... such as "Nice Inspector Goddard. Heroes of Lance: Original Adven­ idol" and "Nice need maps & general hints. Dan Bartram ture). At least one person will kill you gas mask." Accordingly, the story lacks Jr, Box 2398, APO NY 09009 without giving you a chance to escape. the depth and richness of an Infocom all­ This situation is not a puzzle, just a ran­ text adventure (or even an Infocom Future Magic: have trouble defeating dom event, so frequent saves are recom­ graphic adventl,lre in all-text mode). This raiders on their ships. Also need help with mended (up to nine can be stored on a is the game's biggest deficiency. separate disk). Other than that, you're The 20-page manual provides back­ Star Flight. Kenneth Habeeb, 301 Standi­ generally safe wandering around the sev­ ground on the story, useful descriptions ford Ave #237, Modesto, CA 95350 eral hundred locations, which will defi­ of monsters (from the standard Elves and nitely require mapping. Dwarves to the more exotic Chelazzion), Shadowgate: How do I get past drunken The display varies a bit from the tradi­ a list of 73 verbs accepted by the parser, hobgoblins? Nathan Franklin, 30 Park­ tional format for an all-text game. De­ and lucid instructions on the game's view Dr, Feeding Hills, MA 01030 scriptive text fills the top half of the mechanics. screen, a horizontal bar in mid-screen Conclusions: Nice game. Nice parser. Passengers on the Wind: what are the shows the score (500 is tops) and number Nice puzzles. But there is nothing new in keys for playing the IBM version? Amit of moves, and the parser rests at the bot­ the story or puzzles, and not enough Saraf, JI. Kelinci 1 #4, Jakarta 10710 tom of the screen, where the game's re­ prose to keep a first grader busy. Even so, Indonesia. sponses to your commands also appear. Mines of Qyntarr is an all-text adventure, In each location, the command "look" the only sort of game some people play, Ultima 2: where can I fmd a hint book? triggers a description of a thing, person or so those fans will certainly enjoy this ex­ Bob Thompson, 3680 Forest Creek Rd, object there, not the place. To reread that, tended treasure hunt. Jacksonville, OR 97350 you must exit and reenter. Multiple commands are accepted by Skill Level: Novice BattleTech: need more men and Mechs. the parser, as well as pronouns, and the Protection: Program Can't find way past holographic face in vocabulary is adequate. If the program Price: $39.95 inventor's hut. Michael Gardner, POB doesn't recognize a word, it says so, but Company: Sir-Tech 2036, Bridgeview, IL 60455 Adventure Hotline was to guess what the Secret Contest Neuromancer, M & M, Ultima 4: need all Continued from page eleven was) is Nadia Madden, who incorrectly maps, hints, tips. John Ransbottom, POB guessed "What is the name of song on 491, Chesapeake, OH 45619 Class or Canadian, two for overseas.) the start-up screen of King's Quest I & You can even give someone a gift sub­ II? ("Greensleeves"). The correct ques­ FOFT: Does anyone understand FOFT? scription and get the free issues (but you tion was: "Where did Duffy come from?", and the answer is: "Inspired by Jim Hollingsworth, POB 27, Kelso, W A can't give a gift sub to yourself or a 98626 household member). And thanks to eve­ having to 'wait for Duffy' so much in ryone who has already done so. Infocom's Deadline. The Lost City contest winner is Ken Enchanter, Zork 1-3: need help. Miles Contest Winners Lin, who incorrectly guessed Kathman­ Hastie,2 Spicer Circle, Unionville, Ont., du. In reality, the Lost City in the May This winner of this month's "Keys to the Canada L3R lX9 issue is Chan Chan, royal city of the Kingdoms" contest, George L. Martin, pre-Inca Chimu civilization (which was will get the game of his choice. Elite: How do you complete Mission revealed in a clue in the key to the Five? Stephen Klick, 1108 Suntree Place, QuestBusters Code on page fourteen of Kansas City, KS 66103 Secret Contest & the the same issue). Both winners will get Lost City Contest Winners the game of their choice. The winner of the Secret Contest (which King's Quest IV qvmmfz. Then get his Invisibility classes. Example: in Luxus Palace dun­ To enter the whale, go to the ocean near Belt. At Monolith Burgers, order Fun geon,levell: no Dwarve at 11, 14; no the lot-after you've been to the lot's Meal, eat food and get decoder ring. Sorcerers at 0,0; no Archers at 0, 15; pas­ castle. To exit the whale, go by his nebu­ Play Astro Chicken and use ring to sage to Hillstone dungeon at 15,0; ex­ la and use the qfbdpdl gfbuifs to make decode secret message. After blowing change Speed for Endurance at 5, O. You him sneeze. When you get on his tongue, up force beam generator on Ortega, can enchant any item, and Etherealize lets save the game in case you fall off. Start at walk to anemometer at research sta­ you pass through most barriers and walls. left of tongue and walk diagonally to end. tion and ublf qpmf. Vtf qpmf to To become Triple Crown winners, start in Jamil Farshchi cross chasm on return trip to ship. A Middlegate and buy a Green Key (at I,S), good strategy for winning battle with then three Green Tickets (at blacksmiths). The Magic Candle Elmo Pug is to block as many punch­ Set controls to Inconspicuous and save. If you include Min in your team, his Cha­ es as you can, since he'll lose more Fight one battle in each of the three are­ risma enables you to talk to many impor­ energy than you. nas in tum: Middlegate Arena (13, 2), tant people early in the game. Buy George L Martin Sansobar's Monster Bowl (13, S) and At­ qfbsmt to use in bowls in dungeons (to lanteum's Coloseum (7,9). Save after activate auto-mapping). Before attempt­ Heroes of the Lance each win, then take Green Key to Green ing Dermagud (X19, Y32 in Vcfsjpo), To slay dragon Khisanth, Goldmoon Bishop (Woodhaven, 10,6). Save, then buy a lens, pick, shovel and rope. To acti­ must lead your party and throw her go to Sansobar and repeat with Yellow vate teleportation chambers in the dun­ blue crystal staff at him. Also, cast Key and three Yellow Tickets. Take Yel­ geons, use dvcft, tqifsft and qzsbnjet. Deflect Dragon's Breath before enter­ low Ticket to Yellow Bishop (Castle Buy Cppl of Tbcbop from Azidamus in ing the chamber. After it dies, run to Pinehurst, 13,3). Repeat for Red from Soldain for 1,500 coins. Interrogate orcs the Disks of Mishakal, because the Vulcania and Red Bishop (11,4 in Hill­ in Port Avur jail about missing hammer. ceiling collapses. Potions: green heals stone). Repeat for Black from Atlanteum Gonshi mushroom patch is at X26, Y15 a few times, orange gives temporary and Black Bishop (Luxus Palace, 14, 14). in Qifspo. Sermins are at XIS, Y42 in Strength boost, blue heals once and James B. Simpson Vcfsjpo. To raise the Dermagud gate, red slows down monsters for a while. chant bdivoof, sftijqubs, fcjupob­ To kill hatchling dragons, hit them Deathlord haj. Valon Temple is at X32, Y36, low with arrows from a distance. The spear is obtained from Senju in two reached through stairs in northeast comer Michael Becker rivers on Nyuku. Give him a crystal from of dungeon. Awaken god with tibfsbe, the lagoon on north part of island two vef, tibfsbe, gbfz. Visit the three El­ Use flint to kill Bozak Draconians. clicks west, six south of Tokugawa on den Fountains and drink to permanently Recharge blue Clerical staff by letting Kodan (a click is a disk read). In lagoon, raise attributes. The hammer is buried baby dragon breathe on it. Use Raist­ search houses near middle west of vil­ next to Chief Chambur's Tomb in lin to jump chasms. Trolls and lage. Get two crystals, since you need one Wpdib. Wraiths: cast Charm or Hold Person, to get Ruby Ring from Red Shogun's Pal­ David Thompson then Sturm. Cast Cure Light Wounds ace. It's in room that's furthest south, rather than Cure Critical Wounds. with Mage trapped by force fteld. Search Stay in Port Avur to build up supplies of James Tan east wall. To escape, take passage in low­ gold, herbs, food, blankets and ropes. est westernmost cell in the jail and locat­ Have more than one person work to earn Might & Magic II ed a bit north of the Mage. money. Head south to Soldain to boost To finish Slayer's quest and get a mil­ Tim Manda learning skills. Sfnvmeb in Lymeric lion points, kill Queen Beetle at E2, sells Ishban for 1,750; Gjalsfup sells II, 16, Serpent King at E3, 5,6, and Wizardry V Zoxinn for 2,000 in Shiran; get Demaro Dragon Lord at Dl, 10, 12. To get Gentle Pool at 20W, IS, LevelS: level A for 1,500 from Ifyubsjt in Theldair. Do Dancing Sword spell, slay Mist War­ heals (swim 1), level B cures (swim 2). dungeons in this order: Dermagud, Vo­ rior at 15,11. New version: to fm­ Rope to Level 6 is at 13W, IS, LevelS. cha, Sudogur. Visit the correct temples ish Lord Haart's quest (Bl, 5, 5), ftnd Mike Bertrand with a lens to read the chants necessary to the Long One in the Sth Century (E2, awaken the gods. Valon's is on small is­ 5,4) and Weird Warrior Spaz Twit in The Loon has valuable info. He's on Lev­ land between two lakes just SE of Der­ 7th Century (AI, 11,3). Long One e14, reached through secret door from magud. Nexis' Temple is on Kuskunn, has loincloth, Spaz has Phasor. south tip of Level 3 (12E, 25S). You need and Bird God is in Shertuz, SW of Robert Breezley Cmvf dboemf to open this door, found Sanctuary. in temple at north end of Level 3. To Noel Baur Squares that exclude certain races en­ open temple door, you need Kfxfmfe ergize the party for one game month. tdfqusf from Level 2, but don't trade Space Quest III Those excluding certain classes con­ staffs with Fat Priest. Before beginning To escape the garbage freighter, dmjnc tain stat-boosting treasures for those this quest, though, you need pocket watch through fzf of hjbou spcpu ifbe to from safe in Timeless Room (NW part of reach bottom of trash pit and spaceship. Level 3), 12,000 gold, and key from pool After ftrst encounter with Arnoid the Ter­ guarded by Gypsy, which you reach on minator on Phleebut, go through entrance The Apncjf App. edition Level 4 via the elevator. Searching a in west foot of mechanical beast. Ride el­ of the QuestBusters room near Gypsy pool reveals an item evator to top and go up stairs to second Code: count one letter needed in Timeless Room. The Snatch re­ platform. Stand next to lower pulley and veals the four elements that open the safe wait for Arnoid. When he's under pulley back-RC = QB. if you ask him about time. He is reached track and walking toward you, qvti the through secret door in Grand Ballroom on

14 OuestBusters Minton, 3340 E. Red Bud, Knoxville, TN Sell only-$20 @: Ultima 5, Bard 1 & 3, 37920 Wasteland, Aliens, 2400 AD, Legacy of An­ cients. Hintbooks, $1O@: Ultima 4, Bard 2. Pool of Radiance, $25. $18@: Autoduel, Toby Jackson, 17043 Fiesta Way, Salinas, CA Phantasie 3, Questron 2. $15 @: Wizard's 93907 Crown, Phantasie 2. Robert Breezley, 4922 Coco Palm Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 COMMODORE Trade/sell-$15 @ (shipping included): Dal­ Trade or sell your old adventures with a Trade/sell ($20@): Deathlord, Black Caul­ las Quest, Crimson Crown, Transylvania, 00- free ad. (Adventures only, no pirated dron (both w/clue book), Xyphus. Want Ulti­ topos, Death in the Caribbean, Swiss Family software, limit of 10 games per ad. ma 4 or Pool of Radiance. Bruce Menard, 324 Robinson, Mindshadow, 7 Cities of Gold, Please state system, S. Boyer Ave, Sandpoint, ID 83864 more. Send SASE for list. Helena Bouchez, POB 967, Lakewood, CA 90714 Wanted: Scot Adams' 1st 12 text adven­ APPLE tures-unillustrated, all-text versions only. Trade/sell: Bard 2{3, Wizardry, Pool of Radi­ Wanted: M & M 1. Will trade. Have large col­ Will pay full retail price. Walter Compton, ance w char. editor. Want Ultima 4-5, Ques­ lection. M. Wiley, 3431 E. Glenn, Tucson, AZ POB 182, Waco, KY 40385 tron 2, Wizardry 2. Jeff Behnke, 2691 Glen 85716 Valley, Leonard, MI 48038 Trade/sell: Bard 2-3, Beyond Zork, Leisure Buy/trade: Ultima 1, Wasteland. Will trade ul­ $20 @:Neuromancer, M & M 2, Gold Rush Suit Larry, Ultima 5,2400 AD, Bard 1-2 clue tima 5, Wizardry 1, Pool of Radiance. John (GS), Wizardry 5, King of Chicago (GS). Da­ books. Want Pirates, Space Quest 1-2, Police Ransbottom, POB 491, Chesapeake, OH vid Berol, 8521 Ave Ondas, Lo Jolla, CA Quest, and guy who wanted my Beyond Zork 45619 92037 (I lost your postcard). John Pontaoe, 816-A S. May, Chicago, IL 60607 Trade: Project Firestart, Barbarian 2, M & M, $20@: Moebius, Times of Lore. $10 @: AR: Dungeon, Last Ninja 2, Faery Tale, more. Shadowkeep & others. Want: Bronze Dragon Sell/trade: Ultima 5, Demon's Winter, Times Want Heroes of Lance, Magic Candle, more. and sequels. J. J. Parus, 1156 Lawson Cove of Lore. Brad Kinman, POB 2066, Lenox, Send list. Also want Amlga traders. Robert Cir., Virginia Beach, V A 23455 MAOI240 Perez, 1140 Burke Ave, Bronx, NY 10469

Trade/sell ($15 @): Times of Lore, Ultima 1, Wizardry 4 or Times of Lore & clues, $20. AMI G A-Dungeonquest, Heroes of Lance, Bard 1-3 (w/hintbooks), Shadows of Mordor, Want Impossible Mission & Book of Adven­ BattleTech & more. Send lists & phone #. Mi­ Usurper. AR: The City, $5. Tower of Myra­ ture Games 1. L. Brooks, 425 East Dr, East chael Pearson, 5918 S. Elizabeth, Chicago, IL glen (GS), $20. Want: Neuromancer, Zak Alton, IL 62024 60636 McKracken, any Space or King's Quest. Greg Continued on next page

Keys your last changed game. Set them high as the clerk, who won't award any points af­ you want, but they roll over at 99 points. ter he's dead. LevelS. Find access disks on Level 4 to (These are for original IBM version; may Julie Freeman open each of the next sections on your work in Trilogy version.) quest for the Loon (ask him about desti­ LceGarrett To raise lots of money fast, you need one ny). Buy item he's selling (for Level 7). platinum piece. Go to a tavern where peo­ Fred P. Andoli Neuromancer ple are gambling and bet the platinum. If A quick $30,000: After entering Bank you win, say no about gambling again; Alien Mind Gemeinschaft (code: cbolhfnfjo, pass­ bet zero platinum. The game says zero is To reach next level (unless you're on a word wfscpufo), hook into Bank of an "unacceptable bet," and you'll leave terminal), press "n" (must be lower-case). Berne and open an account ($1,000 need­ the gambling area-with your money in­ Nate Trost ed). Write down account number and tact! Just (L)ook to be able to gamble hook into Bank Gemeinschaft and go to again, and this process may be repeated Gold Rush transfer money. Enter 646328356482, as often as desired. To get through locked door in James' then cpapcbol., then Berne account Michael Noth gold mine, ujf tusjoh to nbhofu (items number. For another $10,000: call Hosa­ found in Green Pasture Hotel's secret ka (code: hoakacorp, password: gvohflj. Wednor's Library: before entering, buy a room). Put nbhofu through hole in door Edit list of new employees, putting in mirror and ready it to defeat Basilisk. and lower it. When it picks up steel key your own name and id number. Now you Search entire library for powerful manu­ on other side, raise magnet and unlock can buy a great Cy berdeck and get all the al; talk to Mad Man but don't let him door with key. skill chips. Larry Moe's id: 062788138. join. George L. Martin Chris Steinbeck Brian James Ultima II Pool of Radiance To defeat 8th level guards protecting Ty­ To raise hit points, offer gold to LB. Fa­ Next Issue ther Antos is on Planet X (9,9,9). To ranthraxus, save game before descending CES Horror Stories! save Magical Helms, save game, View stairs. Before going down, have character use Dust of Disappearance (from Orc's The Omnicron Conspiracy the Helm, reboot game and continue from Temple in Temple of Bane). It keeps en­ save. Rocket fuel? Tri-Lithuems. Magic Tangled Tales Boots save paralyzed legs, Magic Cloaks tire party invisible throughout battle with Shogun the real Mr. T. Have a Cleric tum your save paralyzed arms. Use Norton's disk Undead, since T. makes them into Zom­ Plus Exclusive Sneak Preview! editor to change atttributes: Look at side And more news, clues & reviews! with numbers and try to find you have in bies that attack you. After slaying Mr. T., Finish any remaining quest before seeing Continued from previous page Trade/sell ($20@): Space Quest 2, Manhunt­ AMIGA-$20, DungeonMasterw/clue er, Police Quest 2, King's Quest 3/4. Want: Passport to book. $10 @: Moebius, Aaargh, ACS, Ports Leisure Suit 2, Space Quest 3, Star Command, of Call, Archon, Plutos, Roadwar 2000. Tony or send list. Dan Bartram Jr, Box 2398, APO Adventure Ellison, 407 N Division, Lowell, MI 49331 NY,09009

AMI G A-DungeonMaster w/ two thorough Need bank of eight 256K chips for Tandy For the next few months, we won't be clue books, $20. Paul Shaffer, 1705-C O'Shea 1000 EX, or 256 or 384K expansion board. selling any computer games. We're set­ Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42104 Send phone # if possible. Kevin Wagner, POB ting up a new system for doing so, one 36, Fombell, PA 16123-0036 that will provide much faster and more IBM & QUEST-AllKES efficient service than in the past Mean­ Wasteland, $25. $15 @: Pirates, Scavengers. Trade: Pirates, AR: The City, Captain Blood, while, QuestBusters' products are still $10 @: Starflight w/clues, Icon Quest for Future Magic wcluebook, BattleTech, Heroes available at the same low, low prices. Ring. Tony Ellison, 407 N Division, Lowell, of Lance, Pool of Radiance, King's Quest 4, MI49331 Starflight w/cluebook, Alien Fires. Want Wi­ Quest for Clues I: $24.99 zardry 3, Star Command, Roadwar 2000, Ro­ Quest for Clues II (see May issue for Sell/trade: The Colony, King's Quest 4, Lei­ manceofThree Kingdoms. K. Lowe, 4412 contents): $24.99 sure Suit 2, Police Quest 2, Hollywood Hijinx. Pacheco St, San Francisco, CA 94116 QB Map Kit (includes US/APO shipping, Send list or requests. Marlene Simmons, POB Canadians send $3 US for shipping) 72, Richford, VT 05476 Trade Wasteland (both disk formats) for Fu­ ture Magic (5.25" disks). Andrew Pollak, Kit A: (for text/graphic games) $8 Manhunter, $15 or trade for King's Quest 4. 2002 Regis Dr, Davis, CA 95616 Kit B: (for role-playing games) $8 Paul Shaffer, 1705-C O'Shea Ave, Bowling (Each kit contains 75 sheets of mapping Green, KY 42104 ATARI paper designed for that kind of game). 8-bit-sell only: Alternate Reality, Ultima 1 & 2, 7 Cities of Gold, Gemstone Warrior, Re­ War in Middle Earth, $35. E. Su, 11 Kuchler US orders, enclose $3 shipping & han­ turn of Heracles, Zorro, more. Write for list. dling for the book. $6 to Canada & APO, Dr, Lagrangeville, NY 12540 Bob Albright, 912 Mt Rose Ave, York, PA 17403 $12 overseas. AZ residents add 5% sales Trade/sell: Pirates, Bard's Tale, more for $15 tax. Send checks payable to QuestBust­ @. Roger Eastep, 14715 Soft Wind Dr, Gai­ S T -sell or trade: Phantasie 1 & 2, Mercen­ ers, with your street address, not a Post thersburg, MD 20878 ary, Moebius, Captain Blood, more. Bob Alb­ Office Box. right (See above for address). Trade: Times of Lore, Heroes of Lance, Zak McKracken, Willow, Bard I, Aftermath, Ulti­ ma 4. Want: Prophecy, Autoduel, Space Quest 3. Robert Garcia, 34 Ridge Rd, Barrington Hills, IL 600 10

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