Grue-Knapped - Fictitious Frobishire RRP œ3.00
              (Text adventure for ST and PC)

                   Reviewed by Joan Dunn

Written by Bob Adams this text adventure has now been converted,
using TADS, for the ST and PC by Neil Shipman.

Many of you will have played the earlier versions on the Amstrad,
Amiga or Spectrum and enjoyed the rather zany humour and the
clever play on words. A small game, but one in which every
location plays a part with an object to find or a puzzle to solve.

Briefly, the story starts when you and your friend are captured by
a Grue.  We all know what a Grue is ... a nasty, sharp-toothed
creature that lives mostly in dark places, and exists by killing
and eating the unwary human who ventures into his domain. Or
should I say her domain? There must be both sexes or they would
have died out long ago and since I have been playing adventure
games, they seem to have increased rapidly in number! Anyway, your
friend has provided this Grue with today's dinner and is no more.
You have been left in the Grue's hovel, while he takes a nap,
reserved no doubt for the main dish on tomorrow's menu. Unless you
can escape. The door is locked and all you can do is explore and
try to find a way out. First you need a light source and this is
found quite easily and you are on your way.

There are lots of objects to find and everything needs to be
examined, but things are not always what they seem and many
objects can be used for a purpose for which they were not
originally intended.

The new ST/PC version has a lot more in it, and yet Neil has
cleverly kept the style of the game. There is extended text and
different problems so it is still worth playing even if you have
played it before. Some of the puzzles are quite tricky too, and
give the little grey cells plenty to work on. I did like the
Grue's hat, with two eyes stitched on the front, so that when you
wear it, GRUE-VIEW projects from the eyes. I wonder what you see?
Everything a potential meal perhaps. Now did you know that a
Grue's eating habits leave much to be desired, and he never, ever
cleans his teeth? UGH.

There is a cute little labrador puppy ... not wrapped up in toilet
paper ... making a nuisance of itself, and beware it is not house
trained! There is a high shelf, out of reach; a microwave oven,
(a very up-market Grue this one): a well, where I first came to
grief, a parrot that refuses to be caught and many other
interesting situations.

There is a percentage score but no Ramsave/Ramload, which I missed
as I was killed off several times. Don't hang about because that
Grue may wake up at any minute...and he will certainly be hungry!

This is a game I would definitely recommend if you feel like a
light hearted romp through Grue Country, and several giggles
thrown in.

@~To order, send cheques/POs (payable to Neil Shipman) to:
@~N. Shipman, 1 Heath Gardens, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS17 2TQ.