The Talisman - author Paul Jenkinson (Graphic adventure for Amiga on SynTax PD 585 - 2 disks) Reviewed by David Froude The Talisman is a graphics adventure produced by Paul Jenkinson. The game is mouse control only into set control functions. For these functions the screen is split into 5 areas. 1. A Picture Window which shows a picture of your current location along with any character present. The graphics are in black and white but are very good. On my machine the speed between locations was very fast. 2. A Control Window with the following commands: Describe (current location), Examine (for clues), Fight, Use/Get (an object), Operate(a lever), Drink, Status, Talk (to other characters), Load and Save. A four position compass is provided for North, East, West and South. The load facility appears to only load the last saved position. I assume previous saves are overwritten. 3. An Inventory Window. 4. A Score and Status Window. This gives your score which starts at "Cave Sweeper" going onto "Inquisitive" and so on. This window also gives your strength status. If you are weaker than an adversary you may be in trouble if you attack them. 5. A Text Description Window which describes the location and identifies any objects or characters which are present. The legend behind the adventure tells how long ago, two opposing valleys joined forces to defeat a large band of Orcs threatening to overpower each valley. Before the final battle the two rulers met and in a gesture of friendship, brought together the great treasures of both valleys. One valley produced a beautiful solid gold chain made from a pure nugget found deep in one of the local mines. Forged by the best jeweller, the highly polished links were joined with seamless precision. The other valley brought forth a pure diamond of immense value. Mined from their diamond mines, the crystal was cut and polished by a professional jeweller. Sized to the palm of a hand, it has long been the sign of great wealth and prosperity. The two items were joined to produce a extremely beautiful and valuable talisman. Before the final battle, it was hidden in a place only known to 3 fighters from each valley. If the battle was won, the talisman would be paraded and both valleys would become one but unfortunately during the battle all six fighters lost their lives and the talisman was lost forever. No one has ever found the talisman, the actual location of the valleys has long since been mixed up by varying tales from travelling bards. Many brave adventurers have gone in search of the talisman, but none have ever found any trace of it. Seeking fame and fortune you head off into the unknown. Travelling through forests, towns, caves and swamps you come across a small Orc camp. Three small Orcs sit by a glowing fire eating the remains of some animal. Being small you think them easy gain and draw your sword for battle. That's the last thing you remember, for hiding in the shadows were 5 other bigger Orcs. Knocking you out, they carried you for 4 days as reserve food. On the fourth day they became tired of hauling you around and hid you in a small cave, to call back at a later date when you became a little more de-composed and tasty. On the fifth day you wake, tired, hungry, weak and with a hell of a headache. Crawling around you find a small puddle of water, formed by droplets of water from the roof above. Drinking the water causes a strange sensation, a warm feeling overcomes you and as you drink more, all ills are mended. You have heard of such healing springs from the bards, but have never met anyone who actually drank from one. Back to full health you decide to continue your quest........ COMPATIBILITY AND MEMORY This game requires 2 megs or more of memory. The author advises that the game has been tested on the following systems: Amiga A500 with .5m chip ram and 2.5m fast. Amiga A500+ with 1m chip ram and 2m fast. Amiga A500 with GVP hard drive and 2m fast. Amiga A500+ with GVP hard drive and 2m fast. Amiga B2000 with 1m chip and 2m fast. Amiga A1500 with 1m chip and 2m fast. Amiga A1500 with GVP hard drive and 2m fast. Amiga B2000 with GVP hard drive, GVP 40mhz accelerator, 8m Fast. Amiga A600 with 2m chip. 1.3, 2.04 and 2.05 ROMs. I have tried it on an A4000 with 2m chip and 4m fast with Workbench 3.0 and it works OK but with an A2000 with 1 meg chip and 2 meg fast with Workbench 1.3 after 5 disk changes my system crashed. This is at odds with the authors information. The great advantage is that it can be put on hard disk. I did this on the 4000 and loading time was very fast. The game commences in a small dimly lit comfortable cave. "Examine" and you find there are pools of drinkable water. I found you can only drink the water when your strength is very low. The only exit is south. The locations are well described and the atmosphere of the location is well expressed by the text. Characters encountered move around randomly. I also noted that on restarting the game from the beginning, objects are not always in the same place. Sometimes, before you can pick up objects a character, such as an Orc will pick up the object and throw it out of your reach. Another time the object will be taken from you. He may then punch you, or just burp! Trying to find the discarded object will not take long, but once you've got it, the Orc may follow you and steal it. If you walk past a pit with the Orc in pursuit, he may just fall in, or a Dwarf may emerge from the pit and attack you, or even knock the Orc in! There are so many things like this to be found all around the game. All clever stuff. HINTS: a) Always read the text description. Things like life saving water, or small clues can be obtained. b) Use the Examine button. Things are not all they seem. c) Always keep an eye on your strength and always make a note of the nearest drinking place. d) Save the game often. - o -