LlamaLAN

Okay who remembers this most DEVIOUS and DIFFICULT of all text adventures ever?

I didn't realise the BBC re-released a freebie online with a nice flash interface and illustrations and such things.

Want to relive (or, if you're a whipper-snapper, experience) an age of gaming not to be missed?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/game.shtml

Part of the fun of these games was discovering what you COULD do above what was obvious. For example, being able to FEEL THE DARK, or being able to KICK DOG with no purpose. Or get drunk in the pub. In some cases, answers to some puzzles require knowledge of the HHGTTG universe and story, which is no bad thing. Go read all five books and expand your mind in weird directions.

In case you forgot or weren't paying attention just now, this text adventure really is very difficult, but actually fun to work through if you have nothing to do for a couple of hours... If you want to persevere but get stuck, they've provided hints and maps and stuff on that site. More than what I had back in my day, young man!

Just in case you don't even know how to start, you might find it helpful to know the following:

from http://www.douglasadams.com/creations/infocom.php

Commands are entered at the > prompt. The commands below are not exaustive. Try whatever English commands seem appropriate at any given point.

Going Places
Compass directions will get you most places.

• E, W, S, N, NE etc.
• Out, In. Down and Up will also work in many places.

Typical Actions:

• Lie Down (you'll find this useful when facing the bulldozer)
• Get Up (a good way to start the game)

• Look - gives you a full description of your current location
• Diagnose - gives you a report of your physical condition
• Inventory - gives you a list of what you are carrying (abbreviates to I)
• Wait - electronic equivalent of taking a nap
• Get, Get All - lets you pick things up
• Open - open something closed
• Examine - fully describe an object
• Drop, Drop All - put things down
• Where is, What is, Who is - questions about places, things and people in the game

Communicating:
When you come across another character in the game, you can talk to them by entering their name followed by a comma, then the question, e.g.:

• Ford, where are you going?
• Marvin, give me the hammer

Other commands. Saving is a good idea, especially as you can have multiple save games and failing to solve some puzzles will not result in death but WILL result in being unable to complete the game FULLY.

• Save
• Restore
• Restart will restart the game, after giving you your score
• Quit
• Score

I love these.
Far too much for my own good!!
Which means, I'll be there giving it a go a bit later.
I have a multitude of things to do over the next few days. xDD