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"When you get to the dragon, tell 'im I sent you!"

Once upon a time, a game called Zork was created on a large, mainframe computer. In a time when the sort of graphics one would find on an Atari 2600 was the most you could expect from a game, Zork offered us something different, something new. Zork was to be the template for hundreds of similar games, and even years later, it would be the father of games such as Myst and Riven. The concept of Zork was simple: become an adventurer, collect treasure, solve puzzles, battle nasty monsters; all the things that have become the hallmark of the games we play today. There was, however, a catch: you had to do it all in the confines of a simple, text-based program. Read the story, tell the story what you want to do, and then read some more. Simple yet addicting.

This is part two of the three-part game. Literally picking up right were the last game left off, Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz has you continuing your journey with only your sword and lantern. Upon exiting the barrel, you find yourself in a much different area of the Great Underground Empire, an area that is full of magic (thus laying the ground work for Zork's spin-off series of Enchanter, Sorcerer, and Spellbreaker). The structure to this game is exactly the same as the last. In case you're wondering why, when Zork was first created, all three parts were actually one great big adventure. When they decided to sell it to consumers, Zork had to be broken apart in order to fit on home computers. Remember folks, when these games first came out, Apple IIs ruled and the Macintosh had just been released.

Nope, sorry. Still no graphics. You can keep reading the words I've typed, but it still won't change Zork II into a graphic adventure. What part of 'text-based program' didn't you understand? Still has a cool font though :-)

No sound yet either. But if you really need sound, you can make swishing noises when you slash your sword and snarl whenever you encounter a monster. If you need music, try the soundtrack to Indiana Jones.

The faster you type, the faster the game responds. The controls are that simple. Unless of course your nephew gummed up the 'S' key with raspberry jam, then you can't 'pick up _word' or 'walk _outh'. Now you're really _crewed!

Zork is a well-designed series of games. The interaction between you and the text world you are in is complete and without fault. Half of the fun is trying to figure out how to get the game to recognize what you want it to do. While this may seem like limited programming (it actually is, but Infocom can't be blamed for that), it really adds to the game in a way that cannot be described. It's almost like a puzzle in and of itself.

Zork still doesn't have any bonuses or anything extra to do. However, if you buy Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz as a part of the Zork Anthology, you usually get some cool Zork related stuff. There are actually two Anthologies that I know of. The first one is just the first five text games bundled together. It comes with a massive hint guide, maps, and a Zork timeline. As a bonus, you also get a game named PlanetFall (another Infocom Classic). The second Anthology comes with all of the above, minus the massive hint guide, but includes the first two graphic-based Zork games, an encyclopedia of Zork terminology, and the original Zork Nemesis full-color instruction manual.

I personally love the Zork games. You can usually find the Zork games bundled together in an anthology or as part of an Infocom collection. I highly recommend Zork to anyone who loves to play games for the mental exercise and great story, nto for the flashy graphics. Give it a try, the Underground Empire awaits...

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 07/05/02

"A wand!! Look, I'm making this vase float!! *CRASH* Never mind..."

Yes, I finally found this game for download, and Zork III as well!! Yet again, this is from the Neanderthal days.. Okay, okay, maybe not THAT far back. Think late 1980s. Here's some more history upon Zork. The good ol' people at Infocom originally intended to make the Zork trilogy one thrilling adventure. Of course, that would have been a bit big, so they had to do something else. So sit back and hear about Zork II: The Wizard Strikes Back!! Oops, wrong name. Anyways.

Gameplay: 10

Pure simplicity, as explained in my Zork I review. But this time, we have wizards and dragons and demons, not to mention a unicorn and a princess! But for those people that skipped over to the second saga, another demonstration:

Cavern

You stand inside a cavern, many fathoms tall. The ceiling is almost lost in its sheer height, and sparkling gems are embedded in the stone wall, some the size of your head. The floor is very dusty, layered about an inch thick. There is a hole above your head, showing cloudless blue sky above, and a shimmering gray rope dangles from the edge. Aside from that, there are no other exits.

>.inventory

You are now carrying:
A brand-new broom
A brass lantern (lit)

>.sweep floor with broom

Doing so reveals a raised stone platform on the floor, one yard circular.

>.step on switch

Bottom Floor, On Elevator

The switch sinks down with a low grating sound, and you sink down into a circular pit. As the platform stops, a small room is visible through the doorway to the north.

Thank you, folks. Another amazing demonstration!!

Graphics: N/A.

Once again, folks, it's black background, grayish-white text. But the detail is just as appealing as ever.

Challenge: 6

*sigh* They made this one a bit easier. A bit TOO easy, in my opinion. Oh well, it's still fairly hard, and a cage midway in gave me some grief.

Controls: 10

This thing responds as fast as a bitten tiger!! YEAH, THE ACTION THRILLS!! Yes, I'm being silly. It's turn-based. You type in commands, the game responds. Simple. Plus Zork knows about 600 words, including a few swear words. If you type those in, the game says a really funny verse which I won't reveal.

To Buy Or Rent:

Neither. This one's a bit rarer than Zork I, but still not too hard to find.

Resolution: 8/10

I took a point off for easyness, and another for the especially annoying ''Ferment'' spell the wizard casts. Still a good game.


Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/02, Updated 12/05/02