Reviews by jakomo

Superterse descriptions, minimal plot or characterization, semi-nonsensical puzzles: all the hallmarks of a classic Scott Adams text adventure (even the title seems to be a reference to Adventureland).

No graphics, but playing on the web gives a cool 2-window point-and-click experience that works very nicely - I hope to see this form used in future parser-based games.

The game is very well-written, with tongue firmly in cheek (i dug the card-shark skeleton), and just enough background to keep you invested. Sure, the puzzles can be pretty obscure, but good, detailed "Invisiclues"-style hints are provided.

Starts off like Infidel: you're an archaeologist investigating an ancient Egyptian pyramid, scooping up treasures wherever you find them. BUT things go in a different direction very quickly. And it has to be very quickly, as the game is over in around 10 minutes. But it compresses a lot of fun and quirkiness into that bite-size framework. Good writing, simple puzzles (and one poorly implemented one involving a door - acknowledged as poorly implemented in the source code), and a rather predictable (but well-done nevertheless) twist.

First impressions are of a text-based Elite, but it's only a superficial resemblance. Sure, you're travelling from planet to planet buying and selling, but there is no economy to speak of, only fetch quests - which is perfectly fitting, given the text adventure format, fetch quests being the atomic unit of adventure game puzzles.

Money is used as a gating mechanism, your limited resources only granting access to a few planets and low-paid activities at first, you will need to use your ingenuity and wits to gain the big bucks - opening up more and more untold vistas for your delectation.

The writing is ultra-sparse but extremely evocative. A whole galaxy of strangeness. There is humour, creepiness, sadness, awe, sometimes all at once. It touches on themes of humanism and racism whilst delivering a rollicking science-fantasy adventure. Brilliant stuff. I recommend the hell out of this game.