2008-09-28 datewithdeath.taf (176.09 KB)

Adrift 4 executable

2008-09-29 lair-of-the-cybercow.taf (105.67 KB)

Adrift 3.9 executable

The protagonist is going to join the magic Ngah Angah School of Forbidden Wisdom in order to find his beloved. However, he has to stand three tests first...
The opening puzzles are OK, but after I beat them, it felt as if the epilogue had been slapped on the prologue. Which is strange, since Anssi Raisanen is no novice in IF.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (26 Nov 2008)

2008-09-29 forbidden.a3c (119.21 KB)

Alan 3 executable

2008-09-19 fwpic1.JPG (8.21 KB)

alphabet guide

2008-09-30 AMO.blb (50.07 MB)

Glulx executable (version: 2)

2008-09-29 AMO.sol (850 bytes)

solution

2008-09-29 chnlsurf.ulx (389.50 KB)

Glulx executable (version: 1)

2008-09-29 chnlwalk.txt (869 bytes)

walkthrough

2008-09-29 cry wolf walkthrough.rtf (3.22 KB)

walkthrough

2008-09-29 Cry Wolf.ulx (890.45 KB)

Glulx executable (version: 1)

2008-09-15 EverybodyDies.gblorb (3.90 MB)

Glulx executable (version: 1)

2008-09-15 solution.txt (376 bytes)

solution

2008-07-06 Nightfall Map.pdf (3.88 KB)

map of the city

2008-08-30 Nightfall Readme.txt (2.00 KB)

note from the author

2008-08-24 Nightfall Walkthrough.txt (7.42 KB)

walkthrough

2008-09-09 Nightfall.gblorb (1.19 MB)

Glulx executable (version: 1)

The opening scene of Recess At Last is very promising - well-written, atmospheric, and refreshing. The game itself, however, doesn't live up to these promises: the story turns out to be disappointingly straightforward and uncomplicated, and the puzzles - almost trivial. The game world seems to be developed pretty detailed (in spite of a few minor issues), but the player doesn't seem to have a sufficient motivation to explore it.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (06 Dec 2008)

2008-09-29 recess.gblorb (696.08 KB)

Glulx executable (version: 1)

2008-09-29 recess.txt (739 bytes)

solution

A thoughtful piece thoroughly discussing the prevalence of family values over professional obligations...

Seriously, though, it's just a rather unambitious get-out-of-the-locked-room game. The parser takes you back to the pre-Infocom era, and so do the puzzles. There is no saving/restoring in this game; fortunately, it's pretty short, and seemingly can't be put into an unwinnable state.

Rating: **

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (06 Dec 2008)

2008-09-30 mechanique (3.00 KB)

MechaniQue directory

2008-09-15 nerdquest.xbook (19.28 KB)

Java executable (requires MechaniQue files)

2008-09-08 nerdquestwalkthru.pdf (15.07 KB)

walkthrough

2008-09-30 readme.txt (251 bytes)

note from the author

2008-09-30 runme.bat (37 bytes)

batch file to start the game

2008-09-30 berrosts.gam (403.53 KB)

TADS executable (version: 1.0)

A mixed bag. On one hand, there are rather many examples of pretty nice characterisation scattered all over the game; on the other hand, the story makes not too much sense, and the puzzles are nearly impossible.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (06 Dec 2008)

2008-09-28 Magic.t3 (645.89 KB)

TADS 3 executable (version: 1.01)

2008-09-22 walkthru.cmd (1.52 KB)

walkthrough

2008-09-28 walkthru.txt (1.46 KB)

walkthrough

You're in a sleazy bar (OK, that's a rip-off from Softporn Adventure)... But you didn't come here to have a drink or entertain yourself - you are a health inspector on duty.

The game has its highs; in particular, I enjoyed the seemingly unending train of health code violations the protagonist can note. But there are pretty many lows, as well - mainly "what a moron" moments regarding the main villain, occasional glitches in writing, and minor bugs. The aforementioned... uhm... not the brightest behaviour of the NPCs considerably spoils the otherwise interesting and not unoriginal plot idea. Still, Afflicted gets its four stars, albeit at a little stretch.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (15 Dec 2008)

2008-09-06 Afflicted walkthru.txt (1.13 KB)

walkthrough

2008-09-06 afflicted.z8 (319.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-27 anachron.zblorb (237.39 KB)

Z-code executable (version: 1)

2008-09-27 readme.txt (2.79 KB)

note from the author

2008-09-27 solution.txt (1.75 KB)

solution

This work addresses a really serious theme - holocaust. It's always a risky and difficult thing to do; however, the author managed to find a right tone for his game, and coped with his task well enough, avoiding sliding into histrionics or telling commonplaces. On the other hand, Buried In Shoes fails to form an integral picture, remaining a set of detached scenes - each of them moving, but not necessarily meaningful.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (20 Dec 2008)

2008-09-12 bishoes.z5 (72.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 3)

2008-09-12 biswalk.txt (560 bytes)

walkthrough

2008-09-30 README.txt (271 bytes)

note from the author

2008-09-29 Draculas Underground Crypt.zblorb (233.26 KB)

Z-code executable (version: 1)

2008-09-29 freedom.z5 (67.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable

The idea of feverishly going over the story again and again trying to avoid the catastrophe at the end is not bad. Unfortunately, Grief is devoid of any emotions, which makes it a rather dull exercise in elementary combinatorics for the player.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (03 Dec 2008)

2008-09-29 Grief.z8 (281.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-21 lighthouse.z5 (137.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-21 Walkthrough.txt (358 bytes)

walkthrough

The game has a rather atmospheric horror setting, but boy is it underimplemented. Most actions resulted in an (often very confusing) default response, there are very few objects to manipulate in every location, and the descriptions are ultra-short. Besides, the game seems to not have been beta-tested thoroughly. Those issues are the more a pity, since the writing manages to be quite effective, and the puzzles are mostly OK.

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (17 Dec 2008)

2008-09-17 lucuwalkthru.txt (461 bytes)

walkthrough

2008-09-28 The Lucubrator.z5 (187.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-29 solution.txt (1.57 KB)

walkthrough by the author

2008-09-29 violet.zblorb (584.17 KB)

Z-code executable (version: 1)

2008-09-26 Piracy_2.z5 (245.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-29 Snack Time!.zblorb (1.27 MB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1, Comp release with cover art)

2008-09-29 snacktime readme.txt (194 bytes)

short note from the author

2008-09-29 snacktime.z8 (331.50 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1, Comp release without cover art)

2008-09-20 OpeningNight.z5 (234.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 3)

2008-09-20 walkthrough.txt (829 bytes)

walkthrough by the author

2008-08-28 hints.txt (3.41 KB)

hints by the author (rot-13 encrypted)

2008-09-22 underworld.z5 (105.50 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-21 walkthru.txt (1.87 KB)

walkthrough by the author

2008-09-05 Red Moon Walkthrough.txt (5.86 KB)

walkthrough, hints, FAQ, and credits

2008-09-05 Red Moon.z5 (174.00 KB)

Z-code 5 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-28 machines.z8 (415.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-25 wmasol.txt (5.24 KB)

walkthrough by the author

2008-09-25 Fount_Walkthrough.txt (2.32 KB)

walkthrough by the author

2008-09-25 Fount.exe (344.00 KB)

Windows executable

2008-07-10 ReadMe.txt (2.14 KB)

note from the author

2008-09-25 Setup-MissingPiece.msi (3.71 MB)

Windows installer

2008-09-25 setup.exe (361.50 KB)

installer

2008-09-06 Solution.htm (55.14 KB)

solution by the author

2008-08-26 filelist.xml (165 bytes)

filelist (in System_files subdirectory)

2008-08-26 image001.gif (6.57 KB)

"World of Text Adventure Games" logo (in System_files subdirectory)

2008-07-28 Thumbs.db (4.00 KB)

Thumbs.db (in System_files subdirectory)

2008-08-26 System.html (16.53 KB)

system requirements (.NET)

2008-09-03 Riverside.z8 (187.00 KB)

Z-code 8 executable (version: 1)

2008-09-03 RiversideWalkthrough.txt (282 bytes)

walkthrough by the authors

A short demo for the CYOA development system the author has written, intended to teach the player how to interact with this system. Barely has any value as a game, though.

Rating: *

Reviewed by Valentine Kopteltsev (03 Dec 2008)

2008-09-30 walkthru.txt (334 bytes)

walkthrough by the author

2008-09-30 nodex.ini (22 bytes)

INI file

2008-09-30 nxi.exe (57.50 KB)

Windows executable

2008-09-30 READ ME FIRST !!!.txt (358 bytes)

note from the author