Wonderland (1990)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Wonderland (1990): A Text Adventure Masterpiece

Introduction

Wonderland is a text adventure game developed by Magnetic Scrolls and released in 1990 for the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and Macintosh. It is a surreal and whimsical tale that takes players on a journey through a strange and wonderful world inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Gameplay

Wonderland is a text-based adventure game, meaning that players interact with the game world by typing commands. The game uses a parser to interpret the player’s commands and respond accordingly. Players can explore the world, interact with objects and characters, and solve puzzles in order to progress through the story.

The game world is divided into a series of interconnected locations, each with its own unique atmosphere and challenges. Players can travel between locations by using the compass directions (north, south, east, west) or by using special objects or commands.

Story

The story of Wonderland begins with the player character waking up in a strange and unfamiliar forest. The player soon meets a talking rabbit who leads them down a hole into a subterranean world. This world is home to a variety of strange and wonderful creatures, including talking animals, floating castles, and mischievous fairies.

The player’s goal is to find their way through this strange world and return to the surface. Along the way, they will encounter a variety of challenges, including puzzles, riddles, and dangerous creatures. They will also meet a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique story to tell.

Setting

The setting of Wonderland is a surreal and dreamlike world that is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The game world is full of strange and wonderful creatures, floating castles, and impossible landscapes.

The game’s atmosphere is one of whimsy and adventure. The player is constantly discovering new and amazing things as they explore the world of Wonderland. However, there is also a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface. The player must be careful not to get lost or fall prey to the many creatures that inhabit this strange world.

Characters

Wonderland is populated by a cast of memorable characters, each with their own unique personality and motivations. The player will meet talking animals, floating castles, mischievous fairies, and even the Queen of Hearts herself.

The characters in Wonderland are not always what they seem. The player must be careful not to trust everyone they meet. Some characters may be friendly and helpful, while others may be dangerous or even deadly.

Puzzles

Wonderland is full of puzzles and riddles that the player must solve in order to progress through the game. The puzzles are often challenging, but they are also fair. The player will need to use their wits and creativity to solve the puzzles and find their way through the game world.

Legacy

Wonderland is considered to be one of the greatest text adventure games ever made. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, surreal setting, and memorable characters. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it continues to be enjoyed by gamers today.

Wonderland has also been influential on other video games. The game’s surreal setting and dreamlike atmosphere have been cited as inspirations for games such as Myst and The Stanley Parable.

Conclusion

Wonderland is a classic text adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s surreal setting, memorable characters, and challenging puzzles make it a truly unique and unforgettable experience. If you are a fan of text adventure games, or if you are simply looking for a unique and challenging gaming experience, then I highly recommend checking out Wonderland.

Additional Information

  • Wonderland was developed by Magnetic Scrolls, a British video game company that was founded in 1984. Magnetic Scrolls was known for its innovative and high-quality text adventure games, including The Pawn, The Guild of Thieves, and Lure of the Temptress.
  • Wonderland was released in 1990 for the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, and Macintosh. The game was later ported to the CD-ROM format in 1992.
  • Wonderland was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, surreal setting, and memorable characters. The game won several awards, including the Golden Joystick Award for Best Adventure Game of the Year.
  • Wonderland has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android. The game is also available to play online at the Internet Archive.

Review Score

8.5/10

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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