SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"The game does succeed more often than not in recreating the Infocom feel--usually, though not always, a good thing--and I'm confident it'll push the right buttons." By Duncan Stevens.
Emily Short: Pytho's Mask
home.mindspring.com
Author's page about the game, with hints and an essay about her intentions for it.
IF-Review: On Common Ground
ministryofpeace.com
"A short, friendly game, more character-piece and story than puzzle." By Emily Short.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by Molley the Mage and Duncan Stevens.
Capsule Review by Matthew Murray
matthewmurray.net
"Infocom's first and only attempt at a true horror story succeeds with a vengeance, and Dave Lebling is in his finest form in The Lurking Horror."
IF-Review: Dreams, Hubris, and Getting Away with Both
ministryofpeace.com
"Play this game. Then, write your own. Pour your heart and soul into it. Cast it upon the waters, and you may indeed receive it back a hundredfold." By Jonathan Rosebaugh.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Crobe
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
iFiction: Metamorphoses
ifiction.org
Play the original competition release on-line.
Your Sinclair: The Lamberley Mystery
ysrnry.co.uk
Mike Gerrard's review: "isn't a great game. But it's a pretty damn good one." [8/10]
Annotated 'Galatea' (Emily Short)
jerz.setonhill.edu
Play on-line using Java, with links to background, articles about the game, and hints and walkthroughs. [Requires frames.]
Infocom Documentation Project
infodoc.plover.net
PDF file of scanned original game manual.
The Ether Frame: Trophy Room
geocities.com
Author's home page, with the latest version available to download.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Metamorphoses
wurb.com
Capsule review by Duncan Stevens, information, and downloads.
Infocom Games: Deadline
infocom-if.org
Introduction, specifications, box scans, sample transcript.
IF-Review: Puzzles vs. History
ministryofpeace.com
"It's clear that in LOST NEW YORK, deMause's heart is in the geographical and historical material." By Adam Cadre.
Your Sinclair Review
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 10/10 by Tim Kemp. "A golden, sweet and perilous two-parter full of wicked problems, great graphics, location text, riddles and verses."
The Infocom Gallery: Suspended Mask
infocom.elsewhere.org
High-quality scans of original "mask" box, manual, letter, and map.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"Had the author chosen to make more of the story and PC, and less of the goofiness, the result might have been both funny and intriguing; as it is, there are some nicely done bits and a lot of mistakes." By Duncan Stevens.
The Infocom Gallery: Infidel (gray box)
infocom.elsewhere.org
High-quality scans of gray box packaging, manual, letters, and map.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Toonesia
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Review by Paul O'Brien
ucsu.colorado.edu
Rated 9.4/10. "The system really made me feel like I understood what it was like to be a magically summoned spirit, and also why it is so difficult for humans to understand why such spirits so often bring more misery than happiness to their human summoners."
Emily Short: Galatea
home.mindspring.com
Author's page about the game, with background on its making and thoughts on multilinear interactive fiction and non-player character conversation.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Lost New York
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
iFiction: The Mulldoon Legacy
ifiction.org
Play the game on-line.
Review by Gareth Rees
doggysoft.co.uk
"It captures a good deal of the flavour of the cartoons it pastiches, and makes excellent use of the logic of the cartoon world it takes place in: I found all of the puzzles were solvable on the first attempt, and the majority were very good."
What happened to the sequel to "Zebulon"?
df.lth.se
The author hasn't written it and probably never will.
IF-Review: A Brief Flash
ministryofpeace.com
Review with spoilers. "The story packs a huge punch for such a small game, covering as it does themes of hope for humanity and for the individual." By Jonathan Rosebaugh.
Review by Duncan Stevens
members.cox.net
Review of 2000 competition entry. "Haunting little game about change, perfection, and loss. Try it."
Infocom Documentation Project
infodoc.plover.net
PDF file of scanned original manual for Suspended.
Common Ground
phy.duke.edu
"One night in a three-story house." Author's page about the text adventure.
XYZZYnews Review
xyzzynews.com
"SpiritWrak seems a more natural extension of the Zorkiverse than, say, Activision's newly released Zork Nemesis, which feels more like a tribute or pastiche." By C.E. Forman.
Your Sinclair Review
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 9/10 by Tim Kemp. "Another fine example of a serious, yet playable, adventure."
Matthew Murray: Deadline
matthewmurray.net
Capsule review. "Deadline is a ground-breaking game that no adventure game fan--or mystery buff--should leave unplayed."
Emily Short: Metamorphoses
home.mindspring.com
Author's page about the game, with background on its making and what she was trying to do with the story.
XYZZYnews Review
xyzzynews.com
Review by Rob Daviau. "The descriptions, feel, and atmosphere of the different time periods is vivid and varied. It is one of the rare IF games with real geography."
Archived r.a.i-f discussion
bioc.rice.edu
rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup postings about John's Fire Witch.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"There are no puzzles to speak of, and no real objective--the point is to explore the characters and see how they interact. While the result isn't successful on every level, it's certainly a worthy experiment, implemented well, and it's worth checking out." By Duncan Stevens.
Bad Machine
cs.wisc.edu
Author's page for the game.
Review by Gareth Rees
doggysoft.co.uk
"But the plot and the puzzles make a game bolted together like a Frankenstein monster: neither side supports the other, and the result is neither successful as a game, nor as a story."
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Wearing the Claw
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: The Mulldoon Legacy
wurb.com
Information and downloads.
Infocom Documentation Project
infodoc.plover.net
PDF file of scanned original game manual.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Spiritwrak
wurb.com
Information, capsule review, and downloads.
Review by Gareth Rees
doggysoft.co.uk
"The main impression I had of the game was that it was a very solid piece of work."
Infocom Homepage: The Lurking Horror
csd.uwo.ca
Description, box art, release information, statistics, and packaging details.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: John's Fire Witch
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Uncle Zebulon's Will
wurb.com
Capsule review, information and links.
New Zork Times: Infocom Announces New Science-Fiction Masterpiece
csd.uwo.ca
Text of game announcement from Infocom's newsletter.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
2000 competition entry rated 9/10. "The main flaw in Djinni Chronicles, at the end, is that it leaves the player wanting more--more plot, more character development--but there are worse sins, I suppose." By Duncan Stevens.
XYZZYnews Review
xyzzynews.com
"After playing this snack-sized adventure, I'm sure that the next course will be well worth waiting for." By Lauren Meckler.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Common Ground
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Review by Paul O'Brien
ucsu.colorado.edu
Rated 9.3/10. "At its best (and it usually is), Metamorphoses delivers the transcendent grandeur of graphical powerhouses like Myst, and tinges it with an emotional weight that only text can achieve."
Wearing the Claw
ucsu.colorado.edu
Author Paul O'Brian's homepage for Wearing the Claw. Download it or play it on-line using Java.
Review by Andrew Plotkin
eblong.com
"This, oh my children, is what it's like for characters to come alive."
Your Sinclair: Gordello's Demise
ysrnry.co.uk
Sequel to 'The Gordello Incident'. Rated 7/10 by Mike Gerrard. "Gordello's Demise takes place in the same set of locations as you had in Part 3, and with the same' problems and a similar cast of characters... but the solutions are now different."
Your Sinclair: The Gordello Incident
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 8/10 by Mike Gerrard. "An excellent game that you ought to rush out and buy immediately."
Your Sinclair Review
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 10/10 by Tim Kemp. "This is the best Compass adventure to date, and that's really quite an achievement."
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Augmented Fourth
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"Suspended is a game that will appeal to some players and infuriate others. It is the ultimate save/restore game." By Graeme Cree.
Status Line: The Lurking Horror and Stationfall
csd.uwo.ca
Text of game announcement from Infocom's newsletter.
Your Sinclair: The Mapper
ysrnry.co.uk
Tim Kemp's review: "will appeal to RPG-ers, text purists (even though there isn't a lot of text in it), strategy fans and graphic adventurers alike." [8/10]
Your Sinclair Review
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 8/10 by Mike Gerrard. "As long as you don't have great expectations you won't be disappointed."
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Break-In
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
IF-Review: Don't Put Me On Hold
ministryofpeace.com
"It is my belief that FailSafe is best experienced with no prior knowledge at all. My recommendation is this: it's an excellent game, so go and play it now, without reading the rest of this review." By Adam Bitcliffe.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
Review of 1997 competition entry by Duncan Stevens. "Glowgrass, in short, is a competent and reasonably interesting little entry, though it feels more like a teaser than a game in its current state."
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Undertow
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews of competition entry by John Wood and C. E. Forman.
Your Sinclair: The Hermitage
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 8/10 by Mike Gerrard. "The strong story and atmosphere of The Hermitage make it stand out from the crowd."
Your Sinclair Review
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 8/10 by Mike Gerrard. "A puzzling and funny adventure that everyone can enjoy."
Infocom Homepage: Infidel
csd.uwo.ca
Description, box art, release information, game statistics, and packaging details.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Rameses
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Your Sinclair: The Lost Ruby
ysrnry.co.uk
Rated 6/10 by Mike Gerrard. "It's no disaster, but it's certainly no jewel."
Review by Paul O'Brien
ucsu.colorado.edu
"Rameses uses non-interactivity for the purpose of deepening character rather than, as with most other non-interactive games, for the purpose of furthering the plot." Rated 8.9/10.
The Infocom Gallery: The Lurking Horror
infocom.elsewhere.org
High-quality scans of the gray box, manual, and ID card.
IF-Review: An Undiminished Chord
ministryofpeace.com
"Augmented Fourth is a fairly easy puzzle romp whose appeal lies in wackily charming worldbuilding and sly jokes/reworkings of classic IF and fantasy tropes." By Emily Short.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Galatea
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Archived r.a.i-f discussion
bioc.rice.edu
Past rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup posts about Spiritwrak.
Review by Matthew Murray
matthewmurray.net
Capsule review. "Ahead of its time as an adventure game, a strategy game, and a simulation game, Suspended is certainly a challenging adventure to be played (and replayed) by anyone who isn't afraid of quite a bit of hard work."
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Lethe Flow Phoenix
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
iFiction: The Djinni Chronicles
ifiction.org
Play the original competition entry on-line.
Review by Gareth Rees
doggysoft.co.uk
"Undertow was too ambitious for the competition, but I'd be intrigued to see what Stephen Granade could produce if he went back to the code without any deadlines or time constraints and tried to finish writing the game."
Brass Lantern: Common Ground Reviews
brasslantern.org
Several reviews of the game.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: The Djinni Chronicles
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"It's unquestionable that this character represents a quantum leap--in intelligence and in vividness of personality--and that the author did it with essentially the tools that every author has. Designers, consider the goalposts moved." By Duncan Stevens.
Tasking Ariel in Graham Nelson's The Tempest
jerz.setonhill.edu
In-depth review with citations by Dennis G. Jerz.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by C. E. Forman and Duncan Stevens.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: The Dungeons of Dunjin
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
The Infocom Gallery: Suspended (gray box)
infocom.elsewhere.org
High-quality scans of gray box packaging, manual, and feelies.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive
wurb.com
Capsule review by Carl Muckenhoupt, game information, and downloads.
iFiction: Rameses
ifiction.org
Play the original competition release online.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Pytho's Mask
wurb.com
Information and downloads.
Annotated Online 'Metamorphoses'
jerz.setonhill.edu
Play on-line using Java, with links to background, articles about the game, and walkthrough. [Requires frames.]
iFiction: Galatea
ifiction.org
Play Galatea on-line.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"It's a well-told story that manages to keep the player involved, mostly, and I gave it an 8." By Duncan Stevens.
Review by Paul O'Brien
ucsu.colorado.edu
Rated 7.5/10. "It made for an interesting experiment."
iFiction: The Tempest
ifiction.org
Play The Tempest on-line.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by Duncan Stevens and Paul O'Brian.
Infocom Homepage: Deadline
csd.uwo.ca
Description, box art, release information, statistics, and packaging details.
IF-Review: Smooching 101
ministryofpeace.com
"It's a bit rough around the edges, but it's much better than what you'd expect from a game that took only one week to write, even from the master that is Emily Short." By Jonathan Rosebaugh.
Review by Mark J. Musante
ministryofpeace.com
Review with spoilers. "It's a short, easy game to play, it tells an interesting story, and it's well written on top of all that."
iFiction: My Angel
ifiction.org
Play the original competition release on-line.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"It's one of the best-written and best-programmed efforts to be released this year, and it's a good example of what you get when an author really goes overboard in providing funny responses for obscure actions and filling out the backstory." By Duncan Stevens.
The Infocom Gallery: Deadline
infocom.elsewhere.org
High-quality scans of the gray box, manual, letter, coroners note, pills, and crime scene photo.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Glowgrass
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Archived r.a.i-f discussion
bioc.rice.edu
rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroups posts about Bad Machine.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Fail-Safe
wurb.com
Information and download.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by Duncan Stevens and Tina Sikorski.
IF-Review: A Dream of Lethe
ministryofpeace.com
Review with spoilers by Gunther Schmidl.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: The Tempest
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
Archived r.a.i-f discussion
bioc.rice.edu
rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroups postings about the Topologika game Crobe and the Inform port.
MobyGames: Suspended
mobygames.com
Reviews, credits, box image, trivia, and other information.
Infocom Games: Lurking Horror
infocom-if.org
Short introduction and specs.
SPAG Review
sparkynet.com
"While Mulldoon is at heart more puzzlefest than story, it does a better-than-average job of integrating its puzzles with its plot and of making the latter more than a token effort, and arguably it's notable simply for those accomplishments." By Duncan Stevens.
Status Line: Is It GUE Tech or MIT? Dave Lebling Explains It...
csd.uwo.ca
The author talks about locations in the game based on actual sites at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by Magnus Olsson and Duncan Stevens.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: Aayela
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
IF-Review: Deus Ex Machine
ministryofpeace.com
Review with spoilers. "Overall, Bad Machine is excellent, most so not for the code-speak, the puzzles, or the plot (such as it is) but for its message." By Sam Kabo Ashwell.
Infocom Homepage: Suspended
csd.uwo.ca
Description, box art, release information, game statistics, and packaging details.
Infocom Games: Suspended
infocom-if.org
Box art and description, specifications, and sample transcript.
Baf's Guide to the IF Archive: My Angel
wurb.com
Capsule review, information, and downloads.
SPAG Reviews
sparkynet.com
Reviews by Adam Myrow and Duncan Stevens.