The Zork Library Forum

For me, the text adventures are the only true Zorks, with the graphics games being set in a sort of alternate Zork universe. While Nem and GI were good games, they just didn't capture the flavor of the original Quendor text games. Nem was too serious while GI was a little too goofy at times.

The originals had a certain seriousness to them, with (for lack of a better word) dry humour that wasn't over done, except in the packaging materials. An incredible balance of the two that gave it it's charm for me.

Nemesis wasn't "too serious." I don't understand why, but people think the Zork games were originally like GI and Zork Zero. In fact, I think Nemesis is truer to the originals than GI. It just has the occasional bit of humor (stuff like the backmasking).

LOL I don't care what anyone says about how close they are... ANY genre or series always has change. Style is relative but its all still Zork. Since they are all still adventure games atleast its in the same genre. Granted if you had a Zork FPS that wouldn't really be IN the spirit of Zork simply because its core is not adventure. But thats not to say it can't feel like Zork and be like Zork but with guns... again its all relative. I like all of Zork but I liked the style etc. in Nemesis but its no more nor less than any of the others. Because to me they ALL make Zork Zork, for without any one part of them Zork wouldn't be the same.

This is slightly off topic, but while we are on the subject of graphical vs. text-based...

I actually recently spent a few weeks programming a graphical version of Zork 1, kind of based on the Return to Zork engine.  I was using graphics made in MS Paint, but I was hoping that some day I would be able to do 3d graphics, or have somebody else do them for me after the programming was complete.  I don't think I'm going to continue the project because I realized that I would be the only person interested in playing it, and I was afraid it would ruin people's original "vision" of the game.  (That was a good part about having somebody else do the graphics.  I wouldn't have to feel as responsible if "visions" were destroyed. )  

So anyway..   I am mainly wondering how people who voted the text games as their favorites would feel if they were transformed into graphical games.  I've started working on other things and given up on Super Zork (that is what I called it. hehe.) but if anybody is interested in it (playing or helping to create) I could always go back to it.  

Actually, I have often thought of what the original text adventures would look like as graphical games.  It would actually be something interesting, as there wouldn't have to be much writing done for them.  

A few new puzzles and alternate solutions for old ones would be nice, as well as new areas.  But overall, I think a graphic version of the original trilogy could be nice.

Yes, I thought that it would be great if ActiVision released the text-games as graphical games.

The problem is, there'd be the added complication of the thief, but you could easily work him into the game, it'd just look strange at some points.

HEY Nemesis! I actually thought about choosing Nemesis as my username!

Heh, woulda worked two years ago or whenever it was that I joined. Sad to see that most of the old members are gone.

Anyone know what happened to Afgncaap and Not A? Andy? Any of them?

don't know, rarely see them online...

I really, really like Zork Nemesis.

... that being said, I admit it isn't as difficult as the original text-adventure games. However, Zork Nemesis was fun to play, had very interesting puzzles, a great storyline, and ... I'll stop my rant.

Need I also say that Zork Nemesis also has fantastic music?

Need I also say that Zork Nemesis also has fantastic music?

Nope, it's generaly accepted as being true.

Hehe, Nemesis is the best Zork game as well ;-} has the best ambient music of ANY PC Game to date. :-}

I chose one of the text adventures. If the Enchanter trilogy were included I'd choose Enchanter for it's wonderful playability and engaging story.  And Spellbreaker, although the ending is way too weak for all that effort!  Beyond Zork is my second most replayed of the text games. I just love the atmosphere and ending. It's wonderfully unique to win a game on compassion. Yes, the battles are a bit anticlimactic in the game, but they're great to write about in fanfic, where elaboration is possible.

Of the graphic games I'd definitely choose ZGI. Another one I replay every couple months. I like the story, love the backstory and frankly adore Dalboz. (That's him in my icon.) I like the mix of humor and underlying seriousness. It's lovely to look at and great fun to play. Why it didn't sell well enough for the following games to be made, I will NEVER understand!

I haven't played Nemesis fully since 1998 at the latest. I tried recently, but my computer won't pass the climbing of the rope in the monestary without freezing up. I know I didn't like the asylum bit.  I didn't like or trust the alchemists from there on.  It was a good game overall, with a creepy story and nice graphics, it just wasn't as much fun, IMO.

It's been much too long since I played RTZ for me to judge it. I'd love to play it again but this computer won't do it no matter what I try. It seems to think it's a music CD. I got it to play choppily on a ME laptop, but the sound got lost early on.

Joline

I prefer ZGI from the graphical selection, I have yet to play most of the texties, so can't really say much yet.

Interesting dilemma: Casting Igram on the 'Corridor' of 'Infinite Corridor' at GUE Tech.

(Though, I didn't realize that the phone in hades and the instructions for making the spell could be simplified, and thus, bypassed. Silly me, logic puzzles are some of my favorite. )
(Orochip_fish at yahoo dot com)

OH MY GOSH are you serious!!!!  Silly old me! (bytes nails)