Computer Entertainer, v6(12)

~2 minute read

Mar 1988

MULTI-SYSTEM Software

Lane Mastodon vs. The Blubbermen

LANE MASTODON VS. THE BLUBBERMEN (⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐½) from Infocom and Tom Snyder Productions is a whole new approach to the concept of entertainment software for computers, the first in a series of programs dubbed "Infocomics" by their creators. This is definitely not a game, since it includes no puzzles, arcade sequences or other game-like elements. It is simply a story, with a single ending and no user control over the final outcome, much like a book or a movie. Unlike a book or movie, however, Infocomics allow the user to jump into the story in many different places to switch points of view, suddenly seeing the development of the story through a different character's eyes. This is the key point and probably the most powerful hook in the program's overall concept.

Even for Computer Illiterates

Even a completely computer illiterate person can enjoy an Infocomics story, because there is nothing more complicated here than simply booting the disk and occasionally pressing a key or two to proceed through the story, move backward or forward, change points of view, or set a "bookmark" for future continuation of the story. All instructions are contained in the introduction on the disk itself, so there is no need for a manual. It's even possible to boot the disk and do absolutely nothing but read and enjoy the whimsical humor of this 1930s space-opera spoof. But it would be a shame to miss the enjoyment of flipping back and forth through the story, taking paths that let you see the exposition of the story through the eyes of various characters.

Wonderfully Funny

The story itself is wonderfully funny -- not surprising when you learn that it was written by one of Infocom's most humorous writers, Steve Meretzky ("Leather Goddesses of Phobos," among others). It follows the adventures of the bumbling accountant-turned-superhero, Lane Mastodon, as he saves Earth from the threatened invasion of the Blubbermen of Jupiter. With far more luck than skill, Lane miraculously survives one harrowing experience after another as he leads the Revolutionary Thin Men against the porcine plotters. The basic story is told from Lane's point of view, but it's great fun to step into the shoes of his young companions, Ivory and Lambert, or those of the Thin Men, the Blubbermen, or a number of others. The graphics are drawn in comic-book style as lightly fleshed-out line drawings. There's plenty of animation and sound to bring the situations to life, and cinematic techniques such as fades and pans add further graphic interest. It's a novel approach to computer entertainment software and one that appears to have plenty of potential, particularly at its very low price. Infocomics present a new direction for storytelling, one of man's oldest pastimes. It's not difficult to see the Infocomics concept as a peek into the future when storytelling is likely to take take further new directions with the advent of new technologies such as Compact Disc-Interactive (CDI) and Digital Video Interactive (DVI). (Solo play; Keyboard.) Available for Apple II, Commodore 64/128, IBM PC & 100% compatibles.

Recommended. (MSR $12)

These historical, out-of-print articles and literary works have been GNUSTOed onto InvisiClues.org for academic and research purposes.