The Organ Grinder's Monkey

Garry Francis has a longstanding series of polished, relatively 'meaty' parser games with traditional puzzles and a variety of settings.

This outing isn't up to his usual standard of excellence. It has a very small map, with no 'special' room descriptions for items, so most rooms end up with default listings like 'there is a lamp post here' or 'In the fountain you can see water' (not taken directly from the game, but similar). I found myself fighting the parser for basic interactions. For example, with the monkey, (Spoiler - click to show)it suggested giving a donation. I tried GIVE DONATION. That wasn't understood. I looked in my inventory and found cash. I tried PAY CASH. It needed a second noun. I tried PAY CASH TO MAN and PAY MONKEY. Both weren't undrestood. I tried TAKE CASH. I was unable to do so. I tried PUT CASH IN CUP. It said, 'But you are not holding the contents.' I later realized that there was a separate source of cash I needed to find. There weren't really any puzzles beyond (Spoiler - click to show)finding the coin, which is okay, but that's usually a highlight of Garry's games.

I'd usually say at this point that at least the setting was charming, but each room is given a minimal description, as are the vendors, and there is little emotional exchange between us and our three-year old child. My character felt detached, irritated.

I can say though that this out of the norm for Garry, who usually has very solid games, like The Mystery of Winchester High or Search for the Lost Ark.