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diff --git a/blog/zork/index.org b/blog/zork/index.org new file mode 100644 index 0000000..92f5169 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/zork/index.org @@ -0,0 +1,90 @@ +#+title: Zork: Let's Explore a Classic +#+date: 2020-12-29 +#+description: A video game review for Zork. +#+filetags: :gaming: + +* Download (Free) +Before we get into the game itself, you should know that you can +download Zork for free from Infocom's +[[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download page]]. 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 +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_Cave_Adventure][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. + +#+caption: Zork Map +[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_map.png]] + +/[[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Map Source]]/ + +* 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 +[[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Jimmy Maher's +playthrough]], 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 +[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/570580/Zork_Anthology/][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." + +#+caption: 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. + +#+caption: 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. + +#+caption: 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. + +If you do decide to play Zork, you can download Zork I, II, and III from +Infocom's [[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download +page]] for free or search the internet for an online version. |