Death in the Caribbean - I Believe this Motel Will Be Standing Until I Pay My Bill

Written by Michael

In the introduction, I started to explore the game world and landed in the afterworld.  So let’s start again.  I start out on the same path and go exploring.

Inca II – Final Rating

By Ilmari

My short affair with Inca II – and oh boy was it short, this is a quick game – has finished with more amiable terms than the stormy relationship I had with the progenitor. While both were pretty to look at, Inca senior was definitely the grouchy one, always kicking me in the groin when I least expected it, while the offspring was more tender and forgiving to play with. We’ve agreed with Inca II that this was it and we won’t ever be getting back together, but at least the little time we had together was entertaining enough. I am sure the fonder memories will reflect on the final rating.

Missed Classic 134: Death in the Caribbean (1983) - Introduction

 Written by Michael

I’m back to an Apple IIe game this time, from another short-lived company from the early days of adventure gaming.

In the early 80s, computer firm MicroLab created a gaming division, MicroFun.  Their role was to publish games created by others.  They made some interesting acquisitions, but were somewhat unfocused.  Arcade games, adventure games, sports games, but no specialty.  They published the ColecoVision port of Electronic Arts’ popular basketball game, One-on-One, the original of which would be the baseline upon which EA grew a sports game empire.  While today, we know them as leaders in the world of micropayments, in the 80s, they were generally the best sports game publishers in the industry.  This game was an officially licensed product, using the pixelated likenesses of Hall of Fame basketball players Dr. J (Julius Erving) and Larry Bird.

Homeworld - Final Rating

Written by Reiko

It's been a bumpy ride with Gateway II: Homeworld, including some technical issues, but I'm finally able to put together my thoughts on what made this game fun and where it surpassed or fell short of its predecessor. You might remember that I really enjoyed the original Gateway for a number of reasons. I enjoyed this one too, but I suspect that the overall result may not be quite as high as the first. Sequels are hard: providing everything that made the first installment good while creating new but similar content is a very delicate balance. Let's see how Homeworld compares.

Puzzles and Solvability

I found the puzzles to generally be fair and logical. There are only a few places where points seem optional, most notably when saving Diana. I may have been helped by remembering some bits of the puzzles, but even so, I think the pieces fit together well. I had very few issues solving anything. The puzzles are clever in a way that makes the player feel smart for figuring them out.

The puzzle with the magnetic clamps is one of my favorites.

I enjoyed mapping the ice maze even though it wasn't necessary, but it's good that there was an interesting non-mapping solution to finding the way through as well. While mazes are cliche in text adventures now, that is a maze done right.

Score: 7

Inca II – Won!

By Ilmari

Now that was easy! But let’s not be hasty, since we still have things to do.

Breathtaking landscape, part XVI