Developer: MicroIllusions

Romantic Encounters at the Dome (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Romantic Encounters at the Dome (1987)

Romantic Encounters at the Dome is a text-based adventure game developed and published by Infocom in 1987. The game is set in a domed city on the planet Venus, and the player takes on the role of a private investigator hired to find a missing person.

The game’s parser is relatively sophisticated for its time, and allows the player to type in natural language commands. The game world is also quite large and detailed, with over 100 locations to explore.

Romantic Encounters at the Dome was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best text-based adventure games ever made. It was praised for its innovative setting, well-written characters, and challenging puzzles.

Gameplay

The player begins the game by creating a character. The character can be male or female, and can have a variety of skills and abilities. The player then chooses a starting location, and the game begins.

The player explores the game world by typing in commands. The commands can be simple, such as “go north” or “examine table”, or they can be more complex, such as “ask guard about missing person” or “use key to open door”.

The game world is divided into a number of different locations, each with its own unique description and set of objects. The player can travel between locations by typing in the appropriate command.

The player’s goal is to find the missing person. To do this, the player must talk to other characters, collect clues, and solve puzzles. The game is non-linear, and the player can choose to explore the game world in any order they wish.

Setting

Romantic Encounters at the Dome is set in a domed city on the planet Venus. The city is called Aphrodite, and it is a thriving metropolis with a population of over 1 million people.

The dome is made of a transparent material, and it allows the inhabitants of Aphrodite to enjoy the beauty of the Venusian landscape. The dome also protects the city from the harsh conditions on the surface of Venus, which is covered in volcanoes and acid rain.

Aphrodite is a city of contrasts. It is a place of great beauty and wealth, but it is also a place of crime and corruption. The player must be careful not to get caught up in the city’s dark side.

Characters

Romantic Encounters at the Dome features a cast of well-developed and memorable characters. The player will meet a variety of people, including:

  • Victoria Sterling: The missing person. Victoria is a beautiful and intelligent young woman who has disappeared without a trace.
  • Jack Sterling: Victoria’s father. Jack is a wealthy and powerful businessman who is desperate to find his daughter.
  • Dr. Emily Carter: A brilliant scientist who is working on a cure for a deadly disease. Emily is a close friend of Victoria’s, and she is determined to find out what happened to her.
  • Detective Mike Malone: A cynical and world-weary detective who is assigned to investigate Victoria’s disappearance. Malone is a skilled investigator, but he is also a bit of a loose cannon.
  • Father Michael O’Malley: A kind and compassionate priest who is always willing to help those in need. Father O’Malley is a close friend of Jack Sterling’s, and he is doing everything he can to help find Victoria.

Themes

Romantic Encounters at the Dome explores a number of themes, including:

  • Love and loss: The game is a love story, but it is also a story about loss. The player must come to terms with the loss of Victoria, and they must learn to move on with their life.
  • Hope and despair: The game is set in a dark and dangerous world, but there is always hope. The player must never give up hope, even when things seem hopeless.
  • Good and evil: The game features a cast of characters who are both good and evil. The player must learn to tell the difference between the two, and they must choose to side with good.

Legacy

Romantic Encounters at the Dome is considered to be one of the best text-based adventure games ever made. It was praised for its innovative setting, well-written characters, and challenging puzzles. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Romantic Encounters at the Dome is a classic adventure game that is well worth playing. It is a challenging and rewarding game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.

Review Score

7.5/10

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The Faery Tale Adventure (1987)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 5 minutes read

Summary

The Faery Tale Adventure (1987): A Sprawling Epic in a Realm of Enchantment

Released in 1987, The Faery Tale Adventure was a groundbreaking computer role-playing game (CRPG) that transported players to the magical realm of Holm. Developed by Westwood Associates and published by Electronic Arts, the game was a critical and commercial success, lauded for its vast open world, real-time gameplay, and enchanting atmosphere.

A Realm of Unparalleled Scope

The Faery Tale Adventure boasted an astonishingly large game world, touted as the largest ever created at the time. Spanning a staggering 17,000 computer screens worth of terrain, Holm was a realm of diverse landscapes, from lush forests and sparkling lakes to towering mountains and treacherous dungeons. Players were free to explore this vast world at their own pace, discovering hidden treasures, encountering a myriad of creatures, and unraveling the secrets of the land.

Real-Time Gameplay and Tactical Combat

Unlike many CRPGs of the era, The Faery Tale Adventure featured real-time gameplay. Players directly controlled their party of three brothers, navigating the world and engaging in combat in real time. This dynamic gameplay added a sense of urgency and excitement to the exploration and battles, as players had to react quickly to changing situations.

Combat in The Faery Tale Adventure was turn-based and tactical. Players could position their party members strategically, choose from a variety of weapons and spells, and execute special abilities. The game’s combat system was challenging and rewarding, requiring players to carefully consider their tactics and adapt to different enemy types.

A Trio of Unlikely Heroes

The player takes on the roles of three brothers: Gareth, the warrior; Tristan, the thief; and Simon, the wizard. Each brother possessed unique skills and abilities, and players had to learn to use their combined strengths to overcome the challenges of Holm.

Gareth was a formidable melee fighter, skilled in the use of swords and axes. Tristan was adept at stealth, lockpicking, and disarming traps. Simon was a powerful spellcaster, capable of wielding a variety of elemental and magical attacks.

An Enchanting World of Fantasy

The Faery Tale Adventure was not only vast in size but also rich in detail and atmosphere. The game’s world was filled with a colorful cast of characters, from friendly villagers and wise old wizards to mischievous fairies and fearsome monsters. Players encountered talking animals, solved riddles, and followed clues to uncover the hidden secrets of Holm.

The game’s graphics, while simple by today’s standards, were charming and evocative. The character sprites were expressive and detailed, and the environments were rendered with a painterly style that captured the whimsical and magical nature of the world.

A Legacy of Innovation and Influence

The Faery Tale Adventure was a groundbreaking game that pushed the boundaries of the CRPG genre. Its vast open world, real-time gameplay, and enchanting atmosphere set a new standard for exploration and adventure in video games. The game’s influence can still be seen in modern CRPGs, which continue to draw inspiration from its innovative design.

Conclusion

The Faery Tale Adventure remains a beloved classic of the CRPG genre. Its vast world, real-time gameplay, and enchanting atmosphere have captivated generations of players. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the realm of Holm, The Faery Tale Adventure is a timeless masterpiece that deserves to be experienced by all who love fantasy, exploration, and adventure.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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