MERLIN #4
JUNE 1985
There's a definite trend towards multiple statements and/or graphics in adventures these days.
Does anyone use multiple statements? Do graphics really promote an atmosphere or are they just a nuisance? Is it true that anything new has to be good? Who knows what can come out of it - From big Acorns do little Electrons grow and all that!
Personally I prefer to turn graphics off when possible, once I've seen them. The game usually progresses faster and adventures without them are often better as they have to use the memory better. What do you think?
On to the adventure Top Ten. So far we have received marks from lots of people, but, amazingly, for only four different adventures.
Please give marks for them all, not just the ones you like best. If you think the program is dire, then mark it accordingly. So get your pen and paper out.
I'd like to thank everyone who wrote in with answers to last month's problems. In particular Mark Steadman and Phillip Cook. I would also like to thank Michael Dunlop and Katy King for their advice and opinions. It's nice to hear what you think about adventures as well as where they are causing you problems.
Andrew Dickman writes to say that he can't even get into the castle in Sadim Castle. I have to presume that he means the gates that you can see when the game starts.
These are the gates to the castle grounds, not the castle as such. Fix the farmer's roof and do a deal with the monk.
Brynn Edmondson is stuck in Eye of Zolton. He wants to know what the password is for getting into the castle. Password IS the password!
He is also stuck in The Incredible Hulk. He wants to know how to get rid of the bees and get the wax. One of the domes is worth EXAMining if you are a Scott Adams FAN!
John Miloren is having problems with Wheel of Fortune. Can you put things into the empty basket? No. Something will put itself in later.
How do you befriend the farmer, troll, spider and fly? Later. You can't. Bring it something it likes. You don't want to.
Go into the fly's cave and immediately out and into the spider's cave.
Can you stop the trapdoor from closing? No, no need to.
Where do the characters all go to when you come back up through the trapdoor? The policeman continues his beat on the other side of the canal and the tramp goes home for his tea.
How do you go down the well the second time? You don't. Try spinning something.
How do you get across the canal bridge? From the other side!
David Yates has written to say that if you type in EAT SPICES in Sphinx Adventure, the program crashes with a "BADARGUMENTS AT LINE 363" message. You have been warned.
Now some problems I need help with:
J.E. Squire wants to know what, if anything, can be done in the inner sanctum and what is the significance of DAVE KNEW in Sphinx Adventure.
H. Bastein is having problems in Strange Odyssey. How does he get to the Jovian Mine without getting squashed and into the Black Hole without getting ripped apart?
Terry Mealing wants to know where some of the jewels are in Crown Jewels - and I want to know who produces Crown Jewels, as I've never heard of it!
I have been taken to task by P. Eastwood for not finding the treasure in my review of Java Star. Apparently the treasure is easy to find and I must be stupid for missing it.
Some late news is that Epic has produced help sheets for all of its adventures and they are free to anyone sending an SAE - to Epic, NOT to me.
In view of the vast numbers of letters I am getting about Twin Kingdom Valley, I am going to do a special on it next month.
Yes, I finally dug my old maps out and went back and solved it. For those of you who are wondering what to do with your 1024 points, watch this space.
Now, let's get back to answering some more readers' questions:
C. F. Dodds can't get off the beach in Softek's Eye of Zolton: If you have mapped everywhere, use your treasures before you STORE them.
Terry Mealing wants to know how to get both the sword and the key box in Stolen Lamp - DON'T.
Nicola King, Chris Wilson, R. Henderson and H. Bastien are all having problems with Twin Kingdom Valley.
To kill the dragon, one of the things you find in the castle should be examined carefully - it looks deadly. To get out of the maze with the witch, you need to bribe a guard with a bag of gold.
The giant is in the desert king's dungeon and so is the princess. Get there from the cave near watersmeet.
You can't do anything with the secret of life until you have done everything else. To help the sick giant, take him to watersmeet.
The master key will open just about anything, but the door to the south turret in particular. The rod isn't that much use, although waving it will bridge a gap.
Gordon Hoy and David Yates are having fun with Sphinx Adventure.
The mithril ring and stake are
both across the everglades past the crocodile. If the sword breaks,
then use your hands when trying to kill the dragon
and the ogre.
The safe door doesn't need keys,
only a magic word, and the boat and mouse are in the vampire's
castle. You will need to map the maze of coloured rooms and metal
passages and junctions. Sorry!
This article appeared in the June 1985 edition of the "Electron User", published by Database Publications.
Scanned in by dllm@usa.net
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