Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Adventure, Puzzle
- Platforms: Acorn Electron, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, BBC Microcomputer System, Commodore C64/128/MAX, TRS-80, TRS-80 Color Computer
- Developers: Adventure International
- Publishers: Adventure International
Ghost Town (1980): A Text Adventure Classic
Ghost Town is a text adventure game released in 1980 for the TRS-80 and Apple II computers. It was one of the first text adventures to feature a Western setting, and it quickly became a classic of the genre.
The game is set in an abandoned Wild West town called Ghost Town. The player takes on the role of a lone cowboy who is searching for 13 hidden treasures. The town is haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants, and the player must use their wits to solve puzzles and avoid the ghosts in order to find the treasures and escape the town.
Ghost Town is a challenging but rewarding game. The puzzles are clever and the atmosphere is spooky and immersive. The game’s parser is also very good, allowing the player to interact with the world in a natural way.
Gameplay
The player controls their character by typing commands. The commands can be simple, such as “go north” or “open door”, or more complex, such as “use key on door” or “talk to ghost”. The parser understands a wide range of commands, and the player can also use natural language to interact with the game.
The game world is divided into a series of rooms. The player can move between rooms by typing the direction they want to go, such as “go north” or “go east”. Each room contains a description of the room and a list of objects that are in the room. The player can interact with the objects in the room by typing commands such as “take object” or “use object on object”.
The player’s goal is to find the 13 hidden treasures. The treasures are scattered throughout the town and its nearby mine. The player must use their wits to solve puzzles and avoid the ghosts in order to find the treasures.
Setting
Ghost Town is set in an abandoned Wild West town. The town is deserted and overgrown, and the only signs of life are the ghosts of its former inhabitants. The ghosts are hostile to the player, and they will attack if the player gets too close.
The game’s atmosphere is spooky and immersive. The descriptions of the town and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, and the sound effects and music add to the game’s eerie atmosphere.
Characters
The player character is a lone cowboy who is searching for treasure. The cowboy is a skilled gunman and a quick thinker. He is also brave and resourceful, and he is not afraid to face the ghosts of Ghost Town.
The ghosts of Ghost Town are the former inhabitants of the town. They are hostile to the player, and they will attack if the player gets too close. The ghosts are all different, and they each have their own unique personalities and motivations.
Puzzles
The puzzles in Ghost Town are clever and challenging. The player must use their wits to solve the puzzles in order to find the treasures and escape the town. The puzzles are varied, and they range from simple puzzles that can be solved with a little bit of thought to complex puzzles that require the player to think outside the box.
Reception
Ghost Town was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, its atmospheric setting, and its challenging puzzles. Ghost Town is considered to be one of the classic text adventure games, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Legacy
Ghost Town has had a significant impact on the text adventure genre. It was one of the first text adventures to feature a Western setting, and it helped to popularize the genre. Ghost Town also influenced the development of other text adventure games, such as Zork and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Ghost Town is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is available for download on a variety of platforms, and it can also be played online. Ghost Town is a classic text adventure game that is sure to provide hours of enjoyment for gamers of all ages.
Review Score
8/10
