Spider and Web - Written by Andrew Plotkin
               Part of SynTax Disk 1228 (PC)

                  Reviewed By John Ferris

Upon its release, Spider and Web generated a lot of traffic on the
IF newsgroups. Those of you who have played this will know why.

The game is written with Inform and starts off in an alleyway
facing a door with the rest of the city to the south. This rather
dull opening soon gives way to the real game, which is unlike
anything I have ever played before. The game is played in
flashback during the player's interrogation.  The interrogator is
attempting to discover how the player had gained entry into the
complex the player's movements up to the point of capture. He does
this by replaying these events from the player's mind with a
probe. It is possible for the interrogator to obtain this
information by turning up the power, but this kills off the
player.

If you are familiar with films that have been made in the
"flashback" style, where you already (think you) know the ending
at the start of the film, will have some idea what the author is
attempting. I didn't like most of the "flashback" movies I have
seen, although "Forrest Gump" was a shining exception, but I did
get on with this game. Although I knew that the player had got
into the complex and was captured, I still had to figure out how
to do it, with the aid of the interrogator.

The game is quite complex, with a large number of gadgets to use
in different situations. I had a few problems with the parser but
nothing insoluble.  There are a number of different endings to the
game as well. Personally, I didn't really enjoy this game, but
that is a personal response to the game. Technically, it is very
good indeed and those who like this sort of subterfuge plot will
be in their element.

In summary, Spider and Web is a game that some players will not
like, some will find daunting but all will find different. These
days, adventure/IF needs these new ideas or approaches if it is to
continue and Andrew Plotkin is to be congratulated on this
achievement.

















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