Jonathan Partington

Acheton

Acheton

MS-DOS - Released - 1987

Acheton is a home computer conversion of the mainframe adventure of the same name. Similar to Zork (which was released on the VAX mainframe not long before Acheton's original appearance), it is a fantasy treasure hunt set in a claustrophobic dungeon. It boasts over 400 rooms and 200 objects, thereby making it much bigger than Zork. As with many games of this kind the most time is spent by exploring the environment and solving item-based puzzles. Everything is described solely with plain text and the player interacts with the game by typing in phrases which describe his desired action, e.g. "take bottle". It also features a help function with graded hints.

Avon

Avon

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1987

A double-pack of games originally written for the Phoenix IBM System/370 mainframe at Cambridge University, reworked for commercial release on home computers: Avon is a Shakespearean adventure which begins with a sight-seeing visit to the playwright's hometown. As the protagonist explores the streets and souvenir shops, certain people, animals and objects begin exhibiting strange behavior; finally, the surroundings become completely unfamiliar, and the inhabitants' English unusually rich and poetic. the stage is set for an exploration of this strange land, in an attempt to find a way out. The happenings take place over three different calendar dates; the game world is a blend of places and characters from Shakespeare's plays. Monsters of Murdac is billed as a bonus game, in which an expatriate known only as George takes a flight from England back to his native land of Murdac. Here he meets a mysterious old lady remembered from his childhood, rumored to be a witch. A stop at her strangely-furnished home proves fateful, as the hero finds himself sent on a quest deep into the foreboding forest of Murdac.

Avon

Avon

Acorn Electron - Released - 1990

A double-pack of games originally written for the Phoenix IBM System/370 mainframe at Cambridge University, reworked for commercial release on home computers: Avon is an appropriately Shakespearean adventure which beings innocently enough, with a sight-seeing visit to the celebrated playwright's hometown. As the protagonist explores the streets and souvenir shops, certain people, animals and objects begin exhibiting strange behavior; finally, the surroundings become completely unfamiliar, and the inhabitants' English unusually rich and poetic... the stage is set for an exploration of this strange land, in an attempt to find a way out. The happenings take place over three different calendar dates; the game world is a blend of places and characters from Shakespeare's plays, but as the authors reassure us, "an exhaustive knowledge of the Shakespearean Canon is not necessary". Monsters of Murdac is billed as a bonus game, in which an expatriate known only as George takes a flight from England back to his native land of Murdac. Here he meets a mysterious old lady remembered from his childhood, rumored to be a witch (in any case, she's at least somewhat unconventional). A stop at her strangely-furnished home proves fateful, as the hero finds himself sent on a quest deep into the foreboding forest of Murdac. Only the hag's incoherent mumblings about hostile powers and odd rituals hint at what lies ahead.

Kingdom of Hamil

Kingdom of Hamil

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1983

A huge adventure game in a medieval setting with some ingenious puzzles and mazes. The game is a slightly trimmed version of the one written by Jonathan Partington on the Phoenix mainframe. It was converted by Peter Kilworth for the BBC Micro. It was first published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and later re-released by Topologika for a number of platforms including the BBC Micro and Electron.

Kingdom of Hamil

Kingdom of Hamil

MS-DOS - Released - 1987

You are the rightful heir to the throne of Hamil - stolen away as a young child, you had grown up unaware of your birthright. To you, the kingdom of Hamil was known only through myths and rumors: a place of magic and grandeur, steeped in legends of majestic castles and wondrous antiquities; but also fraught with danger, as creatures and powers of the dark side have taken a particular shine to it. Finally learning the secret of your identity, you decide to ride out to Hamil and stake your claim. However, there are hidden powers who would like very much to have Hamil for themselves, and they don't think too highly of your endeavor. As soon as you set out they follow in hot pursuit, and finally force you to take refuge in a small run-down chapel at the edge of the kingdom. Here the adventure begins, as your first task is to find a way out of your makeshift sanctuary without snuffing it rather quickly.

Spy Snatcher

Spy Snatcher

BBC Microcomputer System - Released - 1992

A text adventure in which you're summoned to MI7 headquarters in order to unmask a mole who is leaking British Intelligence to the unstable country of Ruritania.

Spy Snatcher

Spy Snatcher

Acorn Archimedes - Released - 1992

As an agent of MI7 you have to unmask a 'mole'. The plans for the new Sonic Macrothrodule are believed to have been leaked and you've to solve the puzzle within one hour.

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