Computer Entertainer, v4(10)

~2 minute read

Jan 1986

CRITICALLY SPEAKING..

Spellbreaker

SPELLBREAKER (NA / ⭐⭐⭐⭐) by David Lebling for Infocom brings the "Enchanter" trilogy to a close, completing the story that began with ENCHANTER and was further developed in SORCEROR. Infocom classifies this one as "Expert Level" interactive fiction, and they're not kidding. SPELLBREAKER contains the most complicated puzzles found in the "Enchanter" series, and we would advise you not to tackle this one until you've solved the first two.

The Maturing Magician

In ENCHANTER you were a novice caster of spells who met the challenge of defeating the evil warlock, Krill, thus earning a seat in the Circle of Enchanters. In SORCEROR, you gained further powers as you sought and found Belboz the Necromancer, leader of the Guild of Enchanters who was trapped in an evil spell. In SPELLBREAKER, you have become the new leader of the Circle of Enchanters at a most crucial time in your land, which is totally dependent upon sorcery. Magic is failing. Spells don't always work the way they should. The task of discovering and destroying the source of the chaos is yours alone. You set off from the Guild Hall, leaving behind your fellow Guildmasters who have all been turned into amphibians, to chase the shadowy figure who seems to be the key to the disaster threatening your world. As you make your way through the magical universe, the puzzles and challenges are endless. And, for the first time ever in a game of interactive fiction, you will be able to add to the vocabulary of the story. (This occurs as you travel through portions of the story with completely identical "rooms." When you assign names to these rooms, the program will recognize your referring to them by these names.

Sheer Joy

Infocom's interactive fiction writers just keep on bumping the barriers and stretching the limits. The entire Infocom product line is the most consistently excellent group of entertainment programs from any one company, and yet they keep getting better. SPELLBREAKER is sheer joy for those who love role-playing games. It's the perfect conclusion for the "Enchanter" trilogy, which can now join the classic "Zork" trilogy as a must-have for all fantasy gamers. (Solo play; Keyboard; Disk.) Available for Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST & XL/XE, C64/C128, IBM PC/PCjr, and Macintosh. Recommended. (MSR $49.95, W/Atari XL/XE, C64/128 at $44.95)

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