cmc/cleberg.net

 1#+date:        [2020-12-29 Tue 00:00:00]
 2#+title:       The Zork Anthology
 3#+description: My thoughts on Zork (plus, some tips and a map).
 4#+slug:        zork
 5#+filetags:    :personal:
 6
 7* Download (Free)
 8
 9Before we get into the game itself, you should know that you can download Zork
10for free from Infocom's [[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download page]]. So feel free to boot it up and take a
11ride back to the 1980s with this masterpiece.
12
13* Game Description
14
15Zork is an interactive, text-based computer game originally released in 1980.
16This series, split into three separate games, introduced a robust and
17sophisticated text parser to gamers. People were largely used to the simple
18commands used in the popular game [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_Cave_Adventure][Colossal Cave Adventure]], but Zork allowed
19users to send more complex commands that included prepositions and conjunctions.
20
21Zork tracks your score as you explore the map, find tools, and collect trophy
22items (e.g., a jewel-encrusted egg). When you place your trophy items in the
23trophy case found in the Living Room area, you gain score points. Collecting the
24Twenty Treasures of Zork and placing them within the trophy case wins the game.
25However, you must explore the map, solve puzzles, and avoid being eaten by a
26grue to collect these treasures.
27
28* The Map
29
30Since Zork is a vast and complex game, it helps to have a map as you
31explore and collect your trophies. However, if you want to play the game
32as it was truly intended, you should try to play it without using the
33map.
34
35#+caption: Zork Map
36#+attr_html: :alt A map for Zork, showing passageways, restrictions, and all locations.
37[[https://img.cleberg.net/blog/20201229-zork/zork_map.jpg]]
38
39/[[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Map Source]]/
40
41* In-Game Screenshots
42
43After playing the game (for the first time ever) for several weeks around 2014,
44I was finally able to beat the game with some online help to find the last
45couple items. As I was writing this post, I installed the game again to grab
46some screenshots to show off the true glory of this game. As noted in [[https://www.filfre.net/2012/01/exploring-zork-part-1/][Jimmy
47Maher's Playthrough]], the original Zork games looked quite a bit different due to
48the older hardware of computers like the Apple II and multiple bug fixes that
49Infocom pushed out after the game's initial release. My play-through uses the
50[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/570580/Zork_Anthology/][Zork Anthology]] version, which utilizes DOSBox on Windows.
51
52The first screenshot here shows the introductory information, which doesn't
53include instructions of any kind for the player. If you haven't played text
54adventures before, try to use simple commands like "go west," "look around," or
55"hit troll with elvish sword."
56
57In this second screenshot, we see the player has entered the house and found the
58trophy case in the living room. The lantern and sword in this room allow the
59player to explore dark areas and attack enemies. If you don't use the lantern,
60you won't be able to see anything in dark areas, and you may be eaten by a grue.
61
62Finally, we see that the player has found the first treasure: a jewel-encrusted
63egg. These treasures can be taken back to the house and placed in the trophy
64case or carried until you feel like you want to put things away.
65
66* Conclusion
67
68It's been quite a few years since I first played Zork, but I clearly remember
69the late nights and bloodshot eyes that helped me find all the treasures. This
70game is well worth the time and effort, even though the text-based aspect may be
71off-putting to gamers who didn't have to grow up playing games without graphics.
72However, I believe that the strategy and skills learned in early video games
73like Zork can actually help you, even when playing newer games.
74
75If you do decide to play Zork, you can download Zork I, II, and III from
76Infocom's [[http://infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html][download page]] for free or search the internet for an online version.