Category: Others

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:John Baker GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1995, John Baker This is a short-but-sweet game perfect for those new to IF: the plot is interesting (explore the secret basement that leads to hell), the humor tongue-in-cheek, and the puzzles logical. Sharpen your puzzle-solving skills in this…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jeff Tunnell GAME DEVELOPER:Jeff Tunnell Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1991, Sierra On-Line This is one of the most entertaining screensavers I’ve come across. Watch a castaway Johnny perform amusing antics while he struggles for daily survival on a tiny island. The program has numerous scripts that…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Graham Nelson GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1995, Graham Nelson Follow-up to Graham Nelson’s acclaimed Curses, Jigsaw is a very different kind of game but no less a gem. It starts out innocently enough: it is New Year’s Eve, 1999, and you are one among the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Level 9 Computing GAME PUBLISHER:Rainbird Copyright 1986, Level 9 Computing A trilogy of Zork-style games that comprises Colossal Adventure, Adventure Quest, and Dungeon Adventure. The PC version is the update of the original text-only Middle Earth Trilogy. Colossal Adventure is an expanded version of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Dave Lebling GAME DEVELOPER:Infocom GAME PUBLISHER:Infocom Copyright 1989, Infocom A faithful adaptation of James Clavell’s hit novel of the same name, Shogun casts you in the role of Blackthorne, an English navigator hoping to fine fortune in the 19th century Japan, only to find that he…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Angelsoft GAME PUBLISHER:Mindscape Copyright 1986, Angelsoft Angelsoft’s second game based on everyone’s favorite spy movie follows the plot much more closely than James Bond: A View to A Kill. Goldfinger follows the plot of the third James Bond adventure: this time, the dangerously suave…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Angelsoft GAME PUBLISHER:Mindscape Copyright 1985, Angelsoft Just as in Goldfinger, you play the daring British secret agent Bond– James Bond. The game follows the plot of the movie of the same name somewhat, but not as faithfully as Goldfinger— it didn’t start with a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Patrick Bridgemon GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1992, Sierra On-Line This follow-up to the classic Castle of Dr. Brain sadly doesn’t live up to its predecessor, mostly because the wonderful variety of educational puzzles in the original is reduced to a boring lot of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Adam Cadre GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1997, Adam Cadre I-0 raises the bar for non-linear adventures by allowing different solutions to many puzzles, with equally diverse endings. As Tracy Valencia, innocent but by no means naive college student whose car suddenly broke down on the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Angelsoft GAME PUBLISHER:Mindscape Copyright 1985, Angelsoft You’re world-famous explorer Indiana Jones, in search of a lost civilization in one of the earliest computer game licenses of the hit movie ever made. The premise in Revenge of the Ancients somewhat parallels the movie Raiders of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Bill Gates GAME DEVELOPER:Hyosung Corporation GAME PUBLISHER:Hyosung Corporation Copyright 1987, Hyosung Corporation I believe this version of DOS was bundled with a computer of the same name (Hyosung). It is basically the same as MS-DOS v3.20, but when VER is typed, the reply comes as “Hyosung…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Eldritch Games GAME PUBLISHER:Millennium Copyright 1990, Millennium This is a good horror IF based on H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu novels. Psychic seances, horrific encounters, and troubling nightmares abound in this game set in Victorian London. Although the in-game graphics (which annoyingly pops up full-screen…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Hayden Software GAME PUBLISHER:Hayden Software Copyright 1984, Hayden Software A decent game from a company famous for oldie strategy games, The Holy Grail has a strong plot but very primitive parser compared to the likes of Infocom games. As the name implies, your task…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Philip Mitchell & Veronika Megler GAME DEVELOPER:Beam International GAME PUBLISHER:Melbourne House Copyright 1983, Melbourne House One of the first computer games based on Tolkien’s works are based, appropriately enough, on his first Middle Earth novel The Hobbit. The game follows the book’s plot very closely, as…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Davidson & Associates GAME PUBLISHER:Davidson & Associates Copyright 1991, Davidson & Associates Perhaps best described as “Carmen Sandiego for adults,” Headline Harry and The Greatest Paper Race is an excellent edutainment game that puts you in a role of Harry, a veteran journalist who…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Reckon GAME PUBLISHER:Reckon Copyright 1991, Reckon Bushbuck Charms, Viking Ships and Voodoo Eggs and Gumboots Australia are among the best Carmen Sandiego “clones” after Br?derbund popularized the “edutainment” concept with this series. In Bushbuck Charms, you must race either against the clock or a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Paragon Software GAME PUBLISHER:Paragon Software Copyright 1989, Paragon Software Original in concept but a bit flawed in execution, Guardians of Infinity sports one of the most original and elaborate plots ever presented in IF: you must journey back in time to save president Kennedy…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:KittyHawk Software GAME PUBLISHER:KittyHawk Software Copyright 1993, KittyHawk Software A fun and original program, The Greatest Paper Airplanes is, as the name implies, a wonderful database paper airplanes which includes world-class designs and animated instructions on how to fold them. The history section on…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Disney Copyright 1988, Disney The second and last Westwood game for Disney is a fun action-oriented railroad driving game for kids starring Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Drive around town, pick up passengers, and learn all about switching rails and various traffic…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Doug MacNeill & Ken MacNeill GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1988, Sierra On-Line One of Sierra’s best but least-known games, Gold Rush! is exceptional not only for its real-world puzzles and intriguing plot, but also because it’s one of the first adventure games that…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Pete Austin GAME DEVELOPER:Level 9 Computing GAME PUBLISHER:Level 9 Computing Copyright 1988, Level 9 Computing Ingrid’s Back is Level 9’s sequel to the very funny Gnome Ranger, and sports improvements over its predecessor in every respect, including a brilliant “racetrack” system that allows you to control…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Level 9 Computing GAME PUBLISHER:Level 9 Computing Copyright 1988, Level 9 Computing Gnome Ranger is a fun tongue-in-cheek fantasy adventure that follows the exploits and misadventures of Ingrid, a good-natured but exceedingly accident-prone gnome, who has been banished by her village and must find…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Warren Robinett & Ann McCormick GAME DEVELOPER:Learning Company, The GAME PUBLISHER:Learning Company, The Copyright 1986, Learning Company, The The Learning Company developed a number of excellent but sadly underrated children’s titles in the mid-80s based on the same engine that combines ease of use with fun…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Geoworks GAME PUBLISHER:Geoworks Copyright 1990, Breadbox This *EXTREMELY RARE* operating system was the first release for the IBM-PC. Previously, different versions of GEOS had done very well with the Commodore 64 and Apple 2 line. This GUI-based OS was primarily used in businesses and…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Verdu & Glen Dahlgren GAME DEVELOPER:Legend Entertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Legend Entertainment Copyright 1993, Legend Entertainment Gateway II picks up right where Legend’s classic Gateway left off, with even better plot and puzzles. After retiring with fame and fortune from your last prospecting trip, an emergency meeting…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Lauren Elliott & Gene Portwood GAME DEVELOPER:Brderbund GAME PUBLISHER:Brderbund Copyright 1990, Brderbund This is a fun, “light” strategy game similar in concept to The Oregon Trail that puts you in command of the Spanish galleon setting sail to find the New World. One of the best…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1991, Sierra On-Line A fun “traveller’s guide” program about tourist attractions in Sierra’s neighborhood in California, the Fun Seeker’s Guide provides a well-written, intimate, and humorous look at some of the world’s least-known tourist attractions, including the Sierra building…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Verdu & Glen Dahlgren GAME DEVELOPER:Legend Entertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1992, Legend Entertainment One of the best sci-fi games I’ve ever played, this game follows Pohl’s classic: you play a “prospector” – one of the brave souls who volunteer to pilot alien crafts to unknown…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Angelsoft GAME PUBLISHER:Mindscape Copyright 1985, Angelsoft One of Angelsoft’s better releases, Forbidden Castle is a typical save-the-princess game set in a well-defined fantasy world that is brought to life by detailed descriptions. Puzzles are logical and fun, and some are even original. Most puzzles…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jonathan Newth GAME DEVELOPER:Simis GAME PUBLISHER:Domark Copyright 1993, Simis Ever wanted to make your flight simulator? Well, this program has everything you need. You can create theatres of operations, model units, etc There are several games built around this, the better being Tornado Squadron and WW2.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Beam International GAME PUBLISHER:Melbourne House Copyright 1986, Melbourne House After the excellent The Hobbit, Beam Software disappointed its fans with this subpar adventure that has almost incomprehensible puzzles, grammatical errors, and an overall drop in quality. It feels almost as if The Hobbit‘s designers…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Chuan-Tze Teo GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1994, Chuan-Tze Teo Fear opens with an intriguing premise: you must overcome your phobias. The game’s strengths lie in well-designed puzzles relating to different phobias that can be solved in any order. Each time you conquer a phobia, you…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Len Neufeld & Byron Preiss GAME DEVELOPER:Telarium GAME PUBLISHER:Telarium Copyright 1986, Telarium I can imagine the Telarium executives brainstorming for this one. A bunch of overweight business men, they smoke their cigars and play with their watch fobs and plot the oppression of good and honest…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Ian Finley GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1999, Ian Finley Paul O’Brian said it best in his review: “[Exhibition‘s] story takes place at an art exhibition, the final show of a painter named Anatoly Domokov, who committed suicide shortly before the show opened. The only thing…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Cody Sandifer GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1997, Cody Sandifer Definitely one of the most atmospheric IF games you’ll ever come across,Everybody Loves a Parade is humorous, light-hearted adventure full of easter eggs, optional puzzles, and well-written characters. You are a hapless average Joe (or Jane?)…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Bill Darrah GAME DEVELOPER:Synapse Software GAME PUBLISHER:Brderbund Copyright 1985, Brderbund Essex is the second, and probably worst, game in Synapse’s promising but short-lived “interactive novel” series. The game follows the real-time format of Mindwheel, but with a much-improved parser. The premise is simple: your pleasant sightseeing…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Bob Bates GAME DEVELOPER:Legend Entertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Legend Entertainment Copyright 1993, Legend Entertainment In contrast to the heady Time Quest, Bob Bates lets loose his lighter side in this side-splitting medieval adventure starring the incredibly accident-prone knight Eric the Unready. Just about every famous person, things, or…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Lucian P. Smith GAME DEVELOPER:Freeware GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1997, Lucian P. Smith The Edifice is the worthy winner of the third Annual Interactive Fiction Competition, held in 1997. It’s one of the rare games that manage to integrate puzzles with plot seamlessly– as a caveman in…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Gano Haine GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1993, Sierra On-Line This follow-up to Eco Quest 1 is much longer and more difficult than the original (full score is over 1,000 points!). This time Adam must save the rainforest from destruction by helping the Forest…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jane Jensen GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1992, Sierra On-Line Jane Jansen’s (of Gabriel Knight fame) first game for Sierra is an excellent adventure game for any kid who’s old enough to type. As son of an ecologist Adam, you must help the dolphin…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Roger Webster GAME DEVELOPER:Datamost GAME PUBLISHER:Datamost Copyright 1983, Datamost Earthly Delight turns out to be a pleasant surprise when I first discovered it in March, 2000– mainly because it’s amazing that an interactive fiction game that is this innovative and well-written for its time could fade…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Earth Quest GAME PUBLISHER:Earth Quest Copyright 1990, Earth Quest Part of the aborted Quest series, Earth Quest is not really a game but a very well-done reference program that packs an incredibly *huge* amount of information on a few 3.5″ disks. It’s one of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Sarah Stocker GAME DEVELOPER:Stormfront Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1994, Stormfront Studios Kids of all ages rejoice! Jake and Jennifer Eagle from Stormfront’s excellent Eagle Eye Mysteries are back, and better than ever with over 50 all-new cases, all set in historic England. As with the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Sarah Stocker GAME DEVELOPER:Stormfront Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1993, Stormfront Studios One of the best edutainment titles ever that both kids and adults will enjoy, Eagle Eye Mysteries is a fun detective game released under the now-defunct “EA*Kids” label. The game stars young detectives Jake…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Byron Preiss & Michael Reaves GAME DEVELOPER:Telarium GAME PUBLISHER:Telarium Copyright 1986, Telarium Dragonworld is a Telarium game that, true to the company’s tradition, is based on a fantasy series of the same name. Your task is to journey to your friend Hawkwind to save the Last…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Creative Labs GAME PUBLISHER:Creative Labs Copyright 1992, Creative Labs A cool personal psychiatrist program shipped with Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro, Dr. Sbaitso was designed to showcase digitized voices Sound Blaster card was able to produce. Tell your problems or ask questions using…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Michael Berlyn GAME DEVELOPER:Brainwave Creations GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1987, Brainwave Creations This long-lost piece of IF from the power duo that brought you such classics as Oo-Topos and Infidel are back in this zany adventure game that is centered around physics principles. As a hapless student…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Digital Research GAME PUBLISHER:Digital Research Copyright 1992, Digital Research Dr. Dos was Digital Research’s attempt at updating MS-DOS. It included a memory and disk manager, easy-to-understand explanations of commands and errors, even an optional GUI enviornment. A great alternative if you don’t want to…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Disney Copyright 1988, Disney This Westwood game for kids is still replete with the unmistakable Westwood hallmarks of great graphics and fun gameplay. Even the simplistic task of capturing different animated alphabets is spruced up with varied animations. Perfect for pre-schoolers…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Al Lowe GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1988, Sierra On-Line Donald Duck’s Playground is one of the best early edutainment titles, designed by Al Lowe for Sierra based on Disney characters that’s unfortunately not as well known as its contemporary Black Cauldron, Donald Duck’s…