8-Bit Adventures Anthology

In the mid-80s, ICOM Simulations developed a series of point-and-click adventure games for the Apple Macintosh under the common name MacVentures. The games were switched to several modern home computers and video game systems. The graphical user interfaces were slightly different depending on the platform, either with the mouse or with the joystick / joypad.  8-bit adventures contains emulated NES-Ports of the first three MacVentures: the detective story Déjà Vu , the horror thriller uninvited and the fantasy adventure shadowgate . Unfortunately the fourth and last MacVenture Title, Deja Vu II, is not included in the anthology as it was never converted to NES. The Amiga versions of the games would have Déjà Vu II included (although that would have turned the collection into a 16-bit adventure anthology).

All three games have a similar user interface. The screen is divided into a graphical representation of the current location, a small flat map showing the layout, a list of available commands, and an inventory screen. These adventures date back to before video games became more interesting to people, so whatever is important and can be interacted with on screen must be self-evident. The graphics are clear enough that this shouldn't be a problem. The last command used remains active. This is useful if you want to repeat the action e.g. B. Examine multiple objects or move them across several screens.

Success is not achieved by advancing the adventure, but by dying in different ways. Since the player is haunted by death on many occasions, often in a humorous way, it is a godsend that the games can be saved at any time. This has been an important option in MacVentures from the start.

For a really ancient immersion, there are several filters that can be applied to mimic ancient CRT screens. The NES ports are slightly different from the other versions. Due to a lower screen resolution, some text descriptions have been cut out and edited. The original games also had very little to no music, but the NES version has multiple tunes to add to the experience. The console was notorious for its weak sound chip, so the results are very different.

Déjà Vu takes place in Chicago in 1941. You wake up in a bathroom without remembering who you are or why you are there. A trench coat and a holstered pistol in your closet suggest you're a private investigator. With this assumption, you walk through the city and solve the mystery, not only about yourself, but also about a corpse that you discover. You soon find yourself caught up in a web of blackmail, kidnapping, and deception. Deja Vu die-hard film noir atmosphere is accompanied by ironic humor. The play area might not be big, but there is some charm to it when you get in a cab (and pay for each trip). The music is surprisingly beautiful and moody.

In uninvited the player wakes up after a mishap. Your car crashed into a tree and your big sister is missing. However, it is better not to wait in the car while idling as it is on fire and is about to explode. Where did your sister go Maybe to the ominous mansion nearby. Soon you will be lost in it too. The mansion is an exciting labyrinth of interwoven rooms with many tasks. The script, though edited, is intelligent and unexpectedly detailed. Otherwise the NES port has The Uninvited most of the differences from other versions. Originally it was your little brother who went missing and the game had a time limit to find the brother and solve the puzzle. The time limit is here, but only if you collect a specific gem. Even if you take it, you can always leave it behind and move on freely. In addition, some graphics have been changed, such as pentagrams and other occult symbols, which have been replaced with stars and other neutral imaginary symbols. Unlike in Déjà Vu can the music in The Uninvited be pretty awesome.

shadowgate sees the player as the last of the kings who has the task of saving the world by defeating an evil warlock who wants to summon the demon Behemoth from hell. The playing area is larger than in the previous games and equipped with devious traps, but it is often a confusing maze. Also, most of the puzzles can be quite difficult. The game mostly falls on a method of chance and trial in order to ultimately defeat the warlock. Nevertheless, there is the typical dry humor that characterizes the adventure. There are more animated sequences than before that depict the death of several monsters standing in the hero's way. shadowgate has some sort of time limit. When your torch burns down, it's harvest time for the Grim Reaper. The music intensifies as the flame fades, so you'll know when it's time to light a new one. Remember to take every torch you see!

Conclusion

The exciting on 8-Bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One is that the games it contains are not all nostalgic. Good adventures can stand the test of time better than many other genres as they are held up by their stories and puzzles rather than a fancy presentation or tight controls. Of course, MacVentures are short by today's standards, but not linear. There is a surprising amount of freedom to complete the required tasks in each game, which opens up exciting perspectives for the player. The gameplay can be slow. Above all 8-Bit Adventures Anthology: Volume One shows how little is needed to create profound experiences.

Originally posted on 2020-11-28 09:15:00.