Intro to Jabberwocky

Intro to Jabberwocky is based on Lewis Carroll's poem "Jaberwocky". So, if you never much liked Carroll's universe or his writing, you might not like this game. I, however, rather enjoyed Carroll's books, so I warmed up to ITJ right away. The PC must complete some tasks around his "farm", which is populated by creatures from Carrol's poem. The animals are described with fascinating detail and the location descriptions are concise and well-written.

ITJ has a very original approach to setting up puzzles. It's not even that the puzzles themselves are very original, it's just that they are presented in a very unique way. In order to figure out your objectives, you must read the first stanza of the Jabberwocky (only the first stanza, because ITJ is only an intro) and pretty much do what the poem tells you to do. Have no fear - the full poem is provided in-game. Just type hints and choose the 'read the poem' option. As you manipulate the PC's world to fulfill the poem's conditions, the poem will be filled in a blank tablet which you will find in the very first scene.

That particular technique really grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, the game is only an intro. The puzzles are pretty clear-cut, but the environment is cute and whimsical, carrying the essence of Lewis Carroll's world. A rather mundane "finish-a-list-of-tasks" premise is taken for a pleasant spin with very nice results.