Dragon User


The Vortex Factor
By Microdeal
Dragon 32/64 or Tandy Color 32/64

 
Published in Dragon User #039

Timely

This is the other new adventure from Microdeal and is by the Trekboer team which stands as an indication of its quality. Where Trekboer was about space travel, this one concerns itself with time travel and is, again, a very good game.

I haven't finished it; would you believe I need a light?! Yep, that old chestnut of a problem is in there, and I can't find a solution to it, yet. It's harder than Aquanaut; about the same standard of difficulty as Trekboer in fact, so if that was your level you'll enjoy this one.

The game starts with you in a mansion full of interesting exhibits. A quick scout round, examining everything (more than once as has now become a tradition!) and you'll have most of the stuff you need to get started. To give a lift to those stuck right at the start try closing doors behind you and also studying a bit of Physics!

The format is standard graphics at the top (with some objects pictured) and text beneath, the vocabulary fine and the keyboard response very good.

There is no HELP option but the SAVE and LOAD work very reliably. However, there is a problem with the adventure, due to what I can only assume are its American origins. By stating the problem I could be accused of giving a big clue to the adventure but it is unfair that one of the key objects cannot be reached until it is realised that in numerals the Americans write their dates month, then day, then year, i.e. 17/06/86 would be 06/17/86 in American format. I hope I haven't spoiled a part of the adventure for those struggling but I was, to be quite honest, well annoyed when I finally cracked it as I feel that an adventure should have everything within it necessary to solve it and should not rely on pieces of trivia. For the solution to the problem in question I'd like to publicly thank a friend of mine, although I have no idea how he knew about it.

To sum up then, another good adventure, marred only by the above mentioned problem, and one to which I shall be returning until I finish it. I hope this team produce more adventures, and soon!

Jason Orbaum

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