The Lesson of the Tortoise

The Lesson of the Tortoise
by G. Kevin Wilson

Eastern
1997

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Reviews and Ratings

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Number of Ratings: 16
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1-17 of 17

- Edo, December 21, 2021

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

A short, charming game based on eastern folklore, February 3, 2016

by MathBrush

This game can be played in less than a half hour. You play as a chinese farmer who discovers that his wife has been unfaithful to him. Through the aid of magic, he can escape her dangerous plans.

The game is tightly narrated, with new actions occurring frequently. The puzzles are very simple in general, with a couple of sticky points where it's hard to know what your abilities should be.

Recommended for fans of story-driven IF.

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- Thrax, March 12, 2015

- Sobol (Russia), September 12, 2014

- Ghalev (Colorado, United States), May 25, 2013

- E.K., May 7, 2013

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Worthwhile Diversion, April 8, 2013

by Andromache (Hawaii)

This is a tiny game that is worth playing as a diversion, but nothing really stands out to me as far as writing or atmosphere. Things are described sparsely and in broad strokes. There isn't too much to go on in terms of scenery or characterization. The prose is functional, however, and puzzles are mostly clued well. I did have some trouble with one of them (Spoiler - click to show)the puzzle box, but aside from that bump in the road, the game moved along pretty smoothly. I would definitely recommend that people play this game. Just don't expect too much depth.

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- deathbytroggles (Minneapolis, MN), February 8, 2013

- liz73 (Cornwall, New York), May 24, 2012

- Walter Sandsquish, February 1, 2011

- Naeradan, September 26, 2010

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

Flipping Through a Simple, Oriental Tale, July 18, 2010

by Sorrel

The Lesson of the Tortoise has a simple eastern flavor, with none of the bows and whistles of many modern-day IF games. You're a man who happens upon a tortoise on his way home. Upon your return to your house, you witness a terrible betrayal by your wife. The puzzles are quite linear, making it very clear that you should get from point A to point B. The puzzles are relatively easy, but allow for a lot of ways to die if you've forgotten to do something or pick up an essential item earlier in the story. Fortunately, the UNDO command will allow you to go as far back as you want.

The writing is clear and concise. The game is short, but polished, with a classical,interesting narrative. Playing through the felt like reading a storybook of old Oriental fables. I think that quite often, all the new ideas, unique implementation, and break-through mechanics allow us to forget what an old, unadorned IF plays like. It's a great relaxation game, where you can focus on the story and the atmosphere, while giving minimal effort to the puzzles and simplified conversation system.

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- finferflu (Manchester, UK), September 26, 2009

- Karl Ove Hufthammer (Bergen, Norway), January 12, 2009

- NiMuSi (London, UK), March 17, 2008

- Michel Nizette (Brussels, Belgium), January 18, 2008

Baf's Guide

A short fable of wisdom, adultery, and magic, based loosely on Chinese folklore. Nicely done. Very linear, but with good storytelling. Uses a simplified conversation system that some have complained about, but which seemed to me suited to the style and context.

-- Carl Muckenhoupt

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