External Links


busted.zip
Contains BUSTED.Z5
Requires a Z-Code interpreter. Visit IFWiki for download links. (Compressed with ZIP. Free Unzip tools are available for most systems at www.info-zip.org.)
busted.dat
The AdvSys data file
Requires an AdvSys interpreter. Visit IFWiki for download links.
busted.hnt
ROT-13 encoded hints
busted.sol
solution

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Busted!

by Jon Drukman and Derek Pizzuto

Collegiate
1993

(based on 4 ratings)
1 review

About the Story

"Returning from classes, you find a message from your friend Keith on your answering machine. He has been "busted" by the cops; and if you aren't careful, you will be, too..." [--blurb from The Z-Files Catalogue]


Game Details

Editorial Reviews

Baf's Guide


This game, which takes place on an unidentified college campus, places you in the position of having to destroy all your drug paraphernalia before the cops find it. Witty and thematic - many of the puzzles are drug-based, and things like videogames and religion are described in the imagery of addiction. The Inform port is quite sloppily implemented, with bugs of varying severity (one puzzle can be avoided completely if you use the right phrasing) and more instances of bad noun resolution ("Which do you mean, the information desk receptionist or the information desk?") than in any other game I care to remember. Contains some constrictive time limits and many opportunities to lock yourself out of victory.

-- Carl Muckenhoupt

SPAG

Check it out if you're interested in some retro adventuring with a drug twist, but it's probably better st0ned. (Reviewer: Murderous)
See the full review

SynTax
I was quite enjoying the game until I reached an impasse, not knowing what to do next, and sadly, couldn't get any further into the game. (Reviewer: Phil Richmond)
See the full review

Xyzzy News
Despite some initial turbulence, the game is a lot of fun when you get immersed in it. If you can tolerate the limited parser and subject matter, you'll find the game fairly enjoyable. (Reviewer: Eileen Mullin)
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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Frivolous Fun, March 31, 2020

"Busted's" drug-themed subject matter allows it to play with campus-life tropes in a surreal manner, with a humorous effect. This also allows it to apply some of the more annoying conventions of old-time adventures, like hunger and sleep puzzles, to its collegiate setting in a relevant and clever way.

The result is as much a frivolous survey of university annoyances and practices as it is a homage to first-generation text-adventure games. It's enjoyable, engaging, and funny.

Play the AdvSys version if you're able to; it's much better implemented than the Z-Code version.

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Busted! on IFDB

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This is version 9 of this page, edited by Lance Campbell on 15 April 2020 at 2:21pm. - View Update History - Edit This Page - Add a News Item - Delete This Page