Summary
- Release Year: 1978
- Genres: Adventure
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore 16, Commodore C64/128/MAX, Commodore Plus/4, DOS, Mac, PDP-11, Tatung Einstein, TRS-80, TRS-80 Color Computer
- Developers: Infocom
- Publishers: Infocom
Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz (1978)
Introduction
Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz is a text adventure game released in 1978 by Infocom. It is the second game in the Zork series, and it is widely considered to be one of the greatest text adventures ever made.
Gameplay
Zork II is a parser-based text adventure game. This means that the player types in commands in order to interact with the game world. The game world is described in detail, and the player can explore it by moving around and examining objects.
The goal of the game is to find ten treasures and use them to defeat the Wizard of Frobozz. The treasures are scattered throughout the game world, and some of them are hidden in puzzles.
Setting
Zork II takes place in the same setting as the original Zork game. The player begins the game in the Barrow from Zork I, armed only with the trusty brass lantern and sword of elvish antiquity.
The game world is a vast and complex one, filled with forests, mountains, caves, and dungeons. The player will encounter a variety of creatures during their journey, including goblins, trolls, and dragons.
Characters
The main character in Zork II is the player’s own adventurer. The player can choose the adventurer’s gender and name.
The other main character in the game is the Wizard of Frobozz. The wizard was once a respected enchanter, but when his powers began to fade he was exiled by Dimwit Flathead. Now bordering on senility, the wizard is still a force to be reckoned with.
Plot
The plot of Zork II is not immediately clear to the player. The player must explore the game world and talk to the characters in order to piece together the story.
The player’s ultimate goal is to defeat the Wizard of Frobozz. To do this, the player must find ten treasures and use them to learn the wizard’s magic.
Legacy
Zork II is considered to be one of the greatest text adventure games ever made. It was one of the first games to use a parser, and it set the standard for future text adventure games.
The game has been praised for its complex and challenging puzzles, its immersive setting, and its memorable characters. Zork II has been ported to numerous platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Review
Zork II is a classic text adventure game that is still enjoyable today. The game’s complex puzzles, immersive setting, and memorable characters make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Score: 9/10
Tips for Playing Zork II
- Take your time and explore the game world thoroughly. There are many hidden secrets to discover.
- Pay attention to the descriptions of the objects and characters in the game. They often contain clues that will help you solve puzzles.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to solve the puzzles in Zork II.
- If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend or online forum.
Conclusion
Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz is a challenging but rewarding text adventure game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s complex puzzles, immersive setting, and memorable characters make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
9/10