I don't personally play any text adventures any more, but I loved them when I was a kid. But the problem you talk about (getting stumped, fighting with the interface) is an unfortunate aspect of all too many examples.
Funny we should be talking about this, but your "Monkey Island" Matt Chat inspired me to seek out some graphic adventures to play a while back. I stumbled upon three GREAT freeware graphic adventures that I played from beginning to end! Well, they may not be "Monkey Island" great, but for freeware, WOW! I meant to post about it a while back, but here's a good opportunity, so here goes. All three adventure games are very slick, with great graphics and easy-to-use interfaces, and can be completed in a couple of nights (at most), so they're relatively short, but what a cool ride, and they're free!
All three of these games were created using the Wintermute adventure game engine, which is a VERY powerful (but apparently easy to use) graphic adventure development engine. Check it out, if you have ANY interest at all in developing a graphic adventure game. It's free, although the developers request a donation if you find the tool useful. The Wintermute engine appears to be top dog in the graphics adventure development department. Anyhow, here are the adventure games you are REQUIRED to play...
In "Mental Repairs, Inc." you are a futuristic repair man who has a device that allows you to journey into the PSYCHE of various malfunctioning office machines in order to determine what the problem is, and how to fix the machine. The graphics are great (especially for freeware), and the tone of the story is lighthearted. The interface is very easy to come to grips with, and the story is amusing and compelling. The only complaint is the "color copier" puzzle. You almost HAVE to find cheats online to solve this one, simply because of rather poor graphics planning on the developer's account. Still, every other puzzle is amusing and straightforward, and well worth the time (maybe one night of playing) to solve. Again, excellent, professional graphics, and an amusing plot. You know there will be a "twist" ending, but the "twist" wasn't as obvious as I was expecting. PLAY IT!!!
"The White Chamber" is a graphic adventure horror game, obviously inspired by the movie "Event Horizon," in which you are on a haunted space station where the crew is missing (or slaughtered), and you wake up with no recollection of what happened. Excellent graphics, easy interface, and intriguing plot carries this game. Of the three games I'm listing here, this is the most difficult. However, there are several excellent, suspense-filled horrific sequences. The "hallway" sequence is a standout, with creepy graphics and superb, pulse-pounding music. There is an Anime vibe to the graphics, but it didn't detract from the creepy atmosphere of the game. PLAY IT!!!!
"Dirty Split" is a detective game where you are hired by a ritzy, high-class family to solve the murder of a famed plastic surgeon. While the other two games (listed above) are of the "I can't believe this is freeware" category, and are MUST PLAYS for gamers, "Dirty Split" really sets the bar high!!! The 1960's ambiance is extremely well done, from the classy '60's jazz music, the stylish retro-modern "art deco" graphics, and the EXTREMELY WELL-DONE VOICE ACTING! Yes, "Dirty Split" is very dialogue-heavy, and it's all spoken by (apparently) professional voice actors! The only problem I have with this game is that, in at least one puzzle, I was smarter than the game; I knew the locker combination, so why did I have to fly to another city for my "detective" to figure out "aha! I know the combination!!!" Otherwise, this game is absolutely professional. It is also the easiest of the three to beat. But for gosh sakes, if you're going to play a freeware adventure game, PLAY THIS ONE!!!!
All three of these games are clearly the best freeware graphic adventure games I've ever seen, and are borderline professional. They are also relatively short, easily solved by experienced (and not-so-experienced) adventure gamers in a very short time span, possibly in one fun-filled night! But it's much better to spend time playing any of these three games than spending big bucks sitting in a theater watching "G.I. Joe" or other such mindless drek. (Yes, I was forced to watch "G.I. Joe.")
Bottom line: Matt Chat's "Monkey Island" video, coupled with these freeware games and the "Nancy Drew" online demo, helped me get over my distaste/fear of the adventure genre. In this case, you have nothing to lose by trying out these freeware graphic adventures. I've given you the links, so why are you wasting time reading this? Start downloading these games right now and start playing!
.
.
What, you're still here here reading this? Didn't you read what I just posted? What more did you expect me to say? Download and play these games! Unless you don't like to play games, and you're just here because you are a worthless loser who will never be cool.
Okay, I'm overselling these games. Just go check them out already... they're free! :-)
I don't personally play any text adventures any more, but I loved them when I was a kid. But the problem you talk about (getting stumped, fighting with the interface) is an unfortunate aspect of all too many examples.
Funny we should be talking about this, but your "Monkey Island" Matt Chat inspired me to seek out some graphic adventures to play a while back. I stumbled upon three GREAT freeware graphic adventures that I played from beginning to end! Well, they may not be "Monkey Island" great, but for freeware, WOW! I meant to post about it a while back, but here's a good opportunity, so here goes. All three adventure games are very slick, with great graphics and easy-to-use interfaces, and can be completed in a couple of nights (at most), so they're relatively short, but what a cool ride, and they're free!
All three of these games were created using the Wintermute adventure game engine, which is a VERY powerful (but apparently easy to use) graphic adventure development engine. Check it out, if you have ANY interest at all in developing a graphic adventure game. It's free, although the developers request a donation if you find the tool useful. The Wintermute engine appears to be top dog in the graphics adventure development department. Anyhow, here are the adventure games you are REQUIRED to play...
Mental Repairs, Inc.:
In "Mental Repairs, Inc." you are a futuristic repair man who has a device that allows you to journey into the PSYCHE of various malfunctioning office machines in order to determine what the problem is, and how to fix the machine. The graphics are great (especially for freeware), and the tone of the story is lighthearted. The interface is very easy to come to grips with, and the story is amusing and compelling. The only complaint is the "color copier" puzzle. You almost HAVE to find cheats online to solve this one, simply because of rather poor graphics planning on the developer's account. Still, every other puzzle is amusing and straightforward, and well worth the time (maybe one night of playing) to solve. Again, excellent, professional graphics, and an amusing plot. You know there will be a "twist" ending, but the "twist" wasn't as obvious as I was expecting. PLAY IT!!!
The White Chamber:
"The White Chamber" is a graphic adventure horror game, obviously inspired by the movie "Event Horizon," in which you are on a haunted space station where the crew is missing (or slaughtered), and you wake up with no recollection of what happened. Excellent graphics, easy interface, and intriguing plot carries this game. Of the three games I'm listing here, this is the most difficult. However, there are several excellent, suspense-filled horrific sequences. The "hallway" sequence is a standout, with creepy graphics and superb, pulse-pounding music. There is an Anime vibe to the graphics, but it didn't detract from the creepy atmosphere of the game. PLAY IT!!!!
Finally, I think I've saved the best for last:
Dirty Split:
"Dirty Split" is a detective game where you are hired by a ritzy, high-class family to solve the murder of a famed plastic surgeon. While the other two games (listed above) are of the "I can't believe this is freeware" category, and are MUST PLAYS for gamers, "Dirty Split" really sets the bar high!!! The 1960's ambiance is extremely well done, from the classy '60's jazz music, the stylish retro-modern "art deco" graphics, and the EXTREMELY WELL-DONE VOICE ACTING! Yes, "Dirty Split" is very dialogue-heavy, and it's all spoken by (apparently) professional voice actors! The only problem I have with this game is that, in at least one puzzle, I was smarter than the game; I knew the locker combination, so why did I have to fly to another city for my "detective" to figure out "aha! I know the combination!!!" Otherwise, this game is absolutely professional. It is also the easiest of the three to beat. But for gosh sakes, if you're going to play a freeware adventure game, PLAY THIS ONE!!!!
All three of these games are clearly the best freeware graphic adventure games I've ever seen, and are borderline professional. They are also relatively short, easily solved by experienced (and not-so-experienced) adventure gamers in a very short time span, possibly in one fun-filled night! But it's much better to spend time playing any of these three games than spending big bucks sitting in a theater watching "G.I. Joe" or other such mindless drek. (Yes, I was forced to watch "G.I. Joe.")
Bottom line: Matt Chat's "Monkey Island" video, coupled with these freeware games and the "Nancy Drew" online demo, helped me get over my distaste/fear of the adventure genre. In this case, you have nothing to lose by trying out these freeware graphic adventures. I've given you the links, so why are you wasting time reading this? Start downloading these games right now and start playing!
.
.
What, you're still here here reading this? Didn't you read what I just posted? What more did you expect me to say? Download and play these games! Unless you don't like to play games, and you're just here because you are a worthless loser who will never be cool.
Okay, I'm overselling these games. Just go check them out already... they're free! :-)
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