Letters If you write to SynTax on an adventure-related issue and your letter isn't marked "not for publication", I'll assume it is ok for me to quote from it or print it here. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Laura Gow, Buckie (extract) I've only recently started playing adventures and I think the only other one I've played that you haven't already reviewed @~(Laura had enclosed the review of Chronoquest that is in this @~issue) +is "The Pawn" - a real golden oldie. Now I tend to travel through the ads looking for bargains and hope to get through some of the Infocom games that are so revered. @~Luckily it is still possible to get Infocoms through ads and @~some mail order companies - they are great adventures. The @~first ST adventures I bought were Zork 1 and Wishbringer. @~Wishbringer is especially good. Chris Lloyd, Bath (extract) Congratulations on Issue 4 of SynTax! The new system for loading files is a great improvement. Like the idea of having second opinions, it is noticeable how different the reviews of seasoned adventurers are to the novice. I find the complete solutions rather tempting, unfortunately they tend to give the whole game away. I used one when playing Shadowgate and spoilt the enjoyment (no willpower!) Tips and clues to specific problems that cause adventurers most problems are a better idea. I do find the justified text a bit annoying at times, when it leaves strange gaps. I think maps to parts of adventures would be a good idea. Perhaps you could draw them in miniature and use the ZOOM command to expand them to full screen, then use LOCATE to print room names. The map accessory might also be a possibility. @~Alan has been working like mad on a mapping system, we are @~hoping to have it up and running next issue. All I'll say is @~that it uses windows and you can print the maps off too! Ian Taylor, Wallington (extract) (Issue 4) ..... was more of the same only even better from what I've had time to see so far. It's good to see my suggestion on loading the data in at once implemented - it does make a difference, particularly on the hints. It would be nice to see something a bit different in occasionally, but I'm only too well aware that (i) it's a lot of work and (ii) I haven't got the faintest idea what else I'd like to see - perhaps a short book/boardgame column?. It's difficult to disagree with the review of Chaos - though I find it VERY hard to imagine a DM fan NOT having bought it the first time they clapped eyes on it. By the way, help! At the overcrowded Computer Shopper Fair, I bought Phantasie II - but I get "unable to allocate map" whenever I try to leave the city - presumably due to a shortage of memory. Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have a solution? Re your review of Hillsfar - I would guess that the reason you can't transfer characters into Pools of Radiance is because Pools of Radiance is intended for lower level characters. @~You see, we DO listen to suggestions to improve the mag! I like @~the idea of a book column too as quite a few readers have @~turned out to be avid SF&F fans but I don't think the space @~will stretch to it, I'll keep it in mind tho. @~Re Phantasie II - on hearing a similar problem from someone @~else but not having had it happen when I played it, it looks as @~though PII won't work with the new TOS (1.09) ..... unless @~anyone knows differently? Anyone want to bet money on how it @~works with the STE @~On the subject of Hillsfar/Pools, even if Pools DOES use lower @~level characters, I still don't see the point in being able to @~load the characters into a training module but not be able to @~reap the benefits afterwards. What seems more likely is the @~suggestion given to me that Hillsfar and Bonds use a slightly @~different system to Pools (which was written first). If Pools @~ever comes out on the ST, perhaps they'll update the system? Mr G W Smith, Rayleigh (extract) If I might make a suggestion, as I am not interested in text-only adventures, it would be of help to me, and I am sure others, if the style of the adventure advertised or described were to be specified ie text only/text graphics or icon driven/point and click. I note also that the mag is produced using STOS. The style and presentation is most professional and I am curious whether this STOS is the same as the game creator program. @~Right, I will add the style of the adventure whenever possible, @~no problem. @~Yes, it is the same STOS which just goes to show what a @~versatile program it is - perhaps next you'll see "SynTax - the @~arcade game"? On the other hand, perhaps not .... with my poor @~reflexes, I'd never be able to test the game. I had enough @~problems getting through the Manhunter arcade sequences (on @~easy mode, naturally!) Marion Taylor, London Here's a little more about last month's Glass Maze (Sorcerer) solution. If you don't mind killing yourself, don't want the hassle of getting back through the Maze after you've dropped the Scroll down the hole, or even just for fun - try this. Before you go into the Maze, learn Gaspar and Fweep once. Gaspar Yourself then go through the Maze and drop the Scroll down the hole. Now walk West, West, South, East. You fall through the Maze and die, but because of the Gaspar spell your Guardian Angel will bring you back to life and you re-appear at the spot where you cast Gaspar. I discovered this by accident. After dying a few times trying to get back, I wondered if the Gaspar spell would work here, and it did! P.S. I agree with Neil, I don't like Dungeon Master either, give me a pure text adventure with no graphics and I'm happy. @~I wish I'd known about that way of getting through the maze when @~I played Sorcerer - it's loads easier!! Thanks for telling us.