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diff --git a/content/blog/2020-12-29-zork.md b/content/blog/2020-12-29-zork.md index 06ccd77..894ae00 100644 --- a/content/blog/2020-12-29-zork.md +++ b/content/blog/2020-12-29-zork.md @@ -7,34 +7,33 @@ draft = false # 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.  @@ -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.\" - - - -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. - - - -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. - - +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." + + + +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. + + + +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. + + # 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. |