ZX Computing


London Adventure

Publisher: Fridaysoft
Machine: Spectrum 48K/128K

 
Published in ZX Computing #22

London Adventure

The first of this selection of Quilled games is Fridaysoft's London Adventure and it is the best of the three adventures reviewed here. It is also the only one to feature a loading screen, a nicely drawn picture of London's Tower Bridge.

The aim of the game is to find the combination of a safe deposit box belonging to your eccentric, rich uncle. He has recently died and his will has left his considerably fortune to you - if you can find it, that is! The combination numbers are hidden within the adventure - for instance, you may find a five pound note, so five is one of the combination numbers. The numbers are cleverly hidden within the game; often in the oddest of places!

London Adventure is designed to be realistic (allowing some artistic licence, of course), logical and, apart from the odd diversion and obligatory mazes, geographically correct. The game features over 100 locations including many well known landmarks such as Harrods, Cleopatra's Needle and the Tower of London.

London Adventure

The location descriptions are very good in places, such as aboard the Cutty Sark, near the beginning, while the majority of the descriptions are above average. Some of the locations though, appear to be there only for show, but at many of them you can find objects and clues. On this point it is wise to collect *every* object, no matter how unlikely, as it will no doubt be useful at some point.

The game has quite a few original and amusing touches which raise the adventure above the mass of Quilled games. London Zoo, for example, becomes a particularly clever maze, as do the London Sewers. Another nice touch are the events in the Tower of London - you could lose your head over the Crown Jewels! Also, typing your name on the computer in the Science Museum can be alarming!

Overall, London Adventure is a very enjoyable and challenging game which makes a change from the usual fantasy settings, and this is Friday soft's avowed intention. You could certainly do worse than buy this one!