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authorChristian Cleberg <hello@cleberg.net>2024-04-29 14:18:55 -0500
committerChristian Cleberg <hello@cleberg.net>2024-04-29 14:18:55 -0500
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# Download (Free)
-Before we get into the game itself, you should know that you can
-download Zork for free from Infocom\'s [download
-page](http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html). So feel free to
-boot it up and take a ride back to the 1980s with this masterpiece.
+Before we get into the game itself, you should know that you can download Zork
+for free from Infocom's [download
+page](http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html). So feel free to boot it
+up and take a ride back to the 1980s with this masterpiece.
# Game Description
Zork is an interactive, text-based computer game originally released in
-1980. This series, split into three separate games, introduced a robust
-and sophisticated text parser to gamers. People were largely used to the
-simple commands used in the popular game [Colossal Cave
-Adventure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_Cave_Adventure), but
-Zork allowed users to send more complex commands that included
-prepositions and conjunctions.
-
-Zork tracks your score as you explore the map, find tools, and collect
-trophy items (e.g., a jewel-encrusted egg). When you place your trophy
-items in the trophy case found in the Living Room area, you gain score
-points. Collecting the Twenty Treasures of Zork and placing them within
-the trophy case wins the game. However, you must explore the map, solve
-puzzles, and avoid being eaten by a grue to collect these treasures.
+1980. This series, split into three separate games, introduced a robust and
+sophisticated text parser to gamers. People were largely used to the simple
+commands used in the popular game [Colossal Cave
+Adventure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_Cave_Adventure), but Zork
+allowed users to send more complex commands that included prepositions and
+conjunctions.
+
+Zork tracks your score as you explore the map, find tools, and collect trophy
+items (e.g., a jewel-encrusted egg). When you place your trophy items in the
+trophy case found in the Living Room area, you gain score points. Collecting the
+Twenty Treasures of Zork and placing them within the trophy case wins the game.
+However, you must explore the map, solve puzzles, and avoid being eaten by a
+grue to collect these treasures.
# The Map
-Since Zork is a vast and complex game, it helps to have a map as you
-explore and collect your trophies. However, if you want to play the game
-as it was truly intended, you should try to play it without using the
-map.
+Since Zork is a vast and complex game, it helps to have a map as you explore and
+collect your trophies. However, if you want to play the game as it was truly
+intended, you should try to play it without using the map.
![Zork Map](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_map.png)
@@ -42,55 +41,47 @@ map.
# In-Game Screenshots
-After playing the game (for the first time ever) for several weeks
-around 2014, I was finally able to beat the game with some online help
-to find the last couple items. As I was writing this post, I installed
-the game again to grab some screenshots to show off the true glory of
-this game. As noted in [Jimmy Maher\'s
-playthrough](https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/), the
-original Zork games looked quite a bit different due to the older
-hardware of computers like the Apple II and multiple bug fixes that
-Infocom pushed out after the game\'s initial release. My play-through
-uses the [Zork
-Anthology](https://store.steampowered.com/app/570580/Zork_Anthology/)
-version, which utilizes DOSBox on Windows.
-
-The first screenshot here shows the introductory information, which
-doesn\'t include instructions of any kind for the player. If you
-haven\'t played text adventures before, try to use simple commands like
-\"go west,\" \"look around,\" or \"hit troll with elvish sword.\"
-
-![Zork Screen, pt.
-1](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_01.png)
-
-In this second screenshot, we see the player has entered the house and
-found the trophy case in the living room. The lantern and sword in this
-room allow the player to explore dark areas and attack enemies. If you
-don\'t use the lantern, you won\'t be able to see anything in dark
-areas, and you may be eaten by a grue.
-
-![Zork Screen, pt.
-2](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_02.png)
-
-Finally, we see that the player has found the first treasure: a
-jewel-encrusted egg. These treasures can be taken back to the house and
-placed in the trophy case or carried until you feel like you want to put
-things away.
-
-![Zork Screen, pt
-3.](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_03.png)
+After playing the game (for the first time ever) for several weeks around 2014,
+I was finally able to beat the game with some online help to find the last
+couple items. As I was writing this post, I installed the game again to grab
+some screenshots to show off the true glory of this game. As noted in [Jimmy
+Maher's playthrough](https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/),
+the original Zork games looked quite a bit different due to the older hardware
+of computers like the Apple II and multiple bug fixes that Infocom pushed out
+after the game's initial release. My play-through uses the [Zork
+Anthology](https://store.steampowered.com/app/570580/Zork_Anthology/) version,
+which utilizes DOSBox on Windows.
+
+The first screenshot here shows the introductory information, which doesn't
+include instructions of any kind for the player. If you haven't played text
+adventures before, try to use simple commands like "go west," "look around,"
+or "hit troll with elvish sword."
+
+![Zork Screen, pt. 1](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_01.png)
+
+In this second screenshot, we see the player has entered the house and found the
+trophy case in the living room. The lantern and sword in this room allow the
+player to explore dark areas and attack enemies. If you don't use the lantern,
+you won't be able to see anything in dark areas, and you may be eaten by a
+grue.
+
+![Zork Screen, pt. 2](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_02.png)
+
+Finally, we see that the player has found the first treasure: a jewel-encrusted
+egg. These treasures can be taken back to the house and placed in the trophy
+case or carried until you feel like you want to put things away.
+
+![Zork Screen, pt 3.](https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_03.png)
# Conclusion
-It\'s been quite a few years since I first played Zork, but I clearly
-remember the late nights and bloodshot eyes that helped me find all the
-treasures. This game is well worth the time and effort, even though the
-text-based aspect may be off-putting to gamers who didn\'t have to grow
-up playing games without graphics. However, I believe that the strategy
-and skills learned in early video games like Zork can actually help you,
-even when playing newer games.
+It's been quite a few years since I first played Zork, but I clearly remember
+the late nights and bloodshot eyes that helped me find all the treasures. This
+game is well worth the time and effort, even though the text-based aspect may be
+off-putting to gamers who didn't have to grow up playing games without
+graphics. However, I believe that the strategy and skills learned in early video
+games like Zork can actually help you, even when playing newer games.
If you do decide to play Zork, you can download Zork I, II, and III from
-Infocom\'s [download
-page](http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html) for free or search
-the internet for an online version.
+Infocom's [download page](http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html) for
+free or search the internet for an online version.